Missouri soybean yields have the potential to reach or exceed national averages, as highlighted by University of Missouri Extension state soybean specialist Andre Reis.

Nationally, soybean yields have shown a consistent growth rate of 0.4 bushel per acre per year over the past 80 years, as reported by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. In comparison, Illinois experienced a 0.47 bushel per acre per yield increase, and Iowa boasted a 0.48 bushel per acre per year upturn.
However, Missouri's soybean yields fell behind, exhibiting an average increase of only 0.375 bushel per acre per year. In response to this disparity, Reis aims to catalyze change by providing growers with science-based research from MU, focusing on elevating soybean yields and enhancing farm income. Soybeans hold a significant position as the state's No. 1 crop in both acres and value, according to a university news release.
Soybean production in Missouri is geographically divided into seven districts. Notably, yields in Districts 6 and 7, encompassing counties from the St. Louis area to the Missouri Bootheel, outperformed the state average. District 7, in particular, experienced a noteworthy 0.62 bushel per acre increase in 2020.
In exploring the notable increases in soybean yields, Reis identifies several factors that may contribute to these variations. One key factor is the speed at which farmers adopt new technologies and strategies, such as optimizing planting dates, adjusting plant population.
In regions without irrigation, strategies to mitigate the impact of drought include the strategic combination of maturity groups and planting dates. This approach aims to decouple pod setting and seed-filling periods from the hottest and driest periods of the season.
Reis's research aligns with previous findings from MU, emphasizing the significance of planting date as a crucial predictor of soybean yield. Historical data from MU soybean variety testing reveals an average yield loss of 3.5 bushels per week when planting occurs after May 15.
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The weather conditions during soybean's reproductive stages in July emerge as a predominant variable influencing yield. While soybeans possess resilience during their extended flowering period, growth can be hindered by prolonged precipitation shortfalls and high temperatures at this critical stage.
Drawing on extensive data from the MU Variety Testing Program, Reis observes that certain maturity groups consistently outperform others across various environments. For instance, Maturity Group IV plantings exhibit a modest yield increase of only 0.29 bushel per acre per year, whereas Maturity Groups II and III demonstrate more substantial upturns of 0.34 bushel per acre.
Reis created a decision tree for maturity group selection, aiding growers in choosing the most suitable group. This tree takes into account factors such as day length, seasonal potential evapotranspiration rate, preseason precipitation, early vegetative state precipitation, day length during flowering, and other relevant considerations. Growers can request access to this decision-making tool directly from Reis.

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