By DAVE BLOWER JR.
Farm World Editor

JEWETT, Ill. – Yields in the 60 bushels per acre range topped the soybean seed test plot at Jewett in southern Illinois.

Diener Seeds hybrid 4001CR2 earned the highest marks at the Jewett trial site with a yield of 62.3 bushels per acre. The moisture content of this hybrid was 13 percent, and it had an estimated gross income of $623 per acre.

The test was conducted by Farmer’s Independent Research of Seed Technolo-gies (F.I.R.S.T.) earlier this season.

The test was on the Jasper County farm of George Holsapple. The soil was a Cisne clay loam that was non-irrigated and was moderately drained. The previous crop on the field was corn treated with atrazine. Conventional tillage methods were used with fall tillage performed.

F.I.R.S.T. Manager Eric Beyers planted the soybean field at a rate of 140,000 seeds per acre on June 8. The field was harvested on Oct. 21 with 121,400 plants per acre.

“The beans were planted in twin rows spaced eight-inches apart on 30-inch centers,” Beyers said. “(Holsapple) applied Mustang for aphid control.”

Of the 42 hybrids tested at this location, the average yield was 55.7 bu. per acre, and the average moisture level was 14.4 percent. The estimated gross income per acre was $557.50 for all tested hybrids. “The harvested plant heights were 36 to 45 inches tall,” Beyers reported. “The harvested seed was large and very good quality.”
Wet weather complicated both the planting and harvesting at this location.

“Excessive amounts of rain during the growing season stunted the growth of some varieties,” Beyers explained.

Three more hybrids earned more than 60 bu. per acre in this test. Finishing second was FS Seeds hybrid HS45T70 at 61.4 bu. per acre. Its moisture level was at 14.2 percent. Arise hybrid 4410R was third at 60.6 bushels, and its moisture level was 13.7 percent. Coming in fourth was Asgrow hybrid AG4303 at 60.3 bu. per acre; moisture level 14.4 percent.

Other top finishing products include: Kruger Seed hybrid K-439RR/SCN, 59.4 bu. per acre, moisture level at 14.6 percent; and Beck’s Hybrids 460NR, 59.1 bu. per acre, moisture level at 18.8 percent.

A list of all the hybrids in this test is available at www.firstseedtests.com