The Key to Success in 2021?
Changes to Soybean Management
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Presented By AdvanSix
Soybeans are having their moment in the sun. How can farmers take advantage? It’s as simple as a shift in thinking. A shift that changes the way soybeans are traditionally managed and is grounded in driving increased per acre profitability using methods demonstrated in a number of university studies.
“We’ve sponsored several studies conducted by Purdue University and are seeing the first results from a study conducted by the University of Illinois. The findings are clear and consistent: higher soybean yields are possible with the addition of ammonium sulfate, or AMS,” says Mike Hamilton, vice president for Plant Nutrients at AdvanSix. “In the Purdue study, some acres resulted in a 13-bushel yield bump.”
At today’s prices, that equates to somewhere around $150 more per acre with an investment in AMS application of around $20 per acre.
Higher Soybean Yields Require Season-Long Nutrient Availability
Ammonium sulfate provides high-quality, plant-available nitrogen and sulfur. Research shows that sulfur is critical during the pod and seed stage, which is a crucial time for both plant health and yield potential. And typical yielding soybeans (50-60 bu/ac) only fix about 50% of the nitrogen they need. Planning for higher yields requires a plan for additional nitrogen.
As soybeans grow and mature, they pull in nutrients from the soil. Limitations in nutrient availability can be detrimental to plant health and yield. Between the R3 and R6 stages, when pods and beans are beginning to set, soybeans can increase both nitrogen and sulfur uptake by as much as threefold. With new, high yield varieties of soybeans, the nitrogen and sulfur uptake during those stages may be even higher. If nitrogen and sulfur levels are limited, then high yield soybean varieties cannot reach their full potential, stunting pod numbers and bean sizes.
Advancements in breeding technology, seed traits and agronomics have given farmers the tools they need to shift their thinking about soybeans. AMS is a good source of the nitrogen and sulfur that soybeans need, helping modern varieties maximize yields. This simple change in crop management can lead to substantial profit opportunities.
For more information on how AMS can increase soybean yield potential, visit http://soybeans.advansix.com/.