Researchers at Michigan State University are studying the benefits of ultra-early soybean planting.

Extension soybean educator Mike Staton defines ultra-early planting as planting before April 20th in Michigan, or about a month earlier than normal.

” I don’t think the goal is to obtain higher yields, it’s to extend the planting window,” he explains.  “It does maximize yield potential and it does improve drought tolerance.”

However, he says some risks include poor germination, increased disease and insect pressure, soil crusting, and freeze damage.

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