BELLEVILLE, Ill. — While no issues with pests or diseases were reported, Eric Beyers said southern Illinois was challenged with wet weather causing late planting, and a late-season drought.

Even so, soybean yields were good on the St. Clair County farm of John Barttelbort, host of a Farmer’s Independent Research of Seed Technologies (FIRST) test plot managed by Beyers.

He planted it on June 11 and harvested it Oct. 26. “Fields planted early, April 20 to May 1, seemed to have an early emergence seedling advantage. When the rainy period ensued, these earlier planted fields with higher ground were allowed to shed excessive rains by natural runoff, while lower ground consistently suffered from ponding,” Beyers said.

“During these relentless rainy periods, crop seedlings suffered from cool, wet soils and cloudy days, which delayed plant and root development. To compound the delayed plant and root growth, a late season drought, late July into September, further challenged corn ear and soybean pod developments.”

The four top hybrids all yielded more than 70 bushels per acre. At the top was Asgrow variety AG4135, yielding 72.7 bushels per acre with an estimated gross income of $643 per acre.

Second was Stone 2R4302 with 72 bushels and gross income of $637. Coming in third and fourth, respectively, were Dairyland DSR-4490/R2Y with 71.2 bushels and $630 income; and Pfister 39R29 with 70.5 bushels and gross income of $624 per acre.

The test average for all varieties was 66.9 bushels per acre, 8.9 percent moisture and average gross income of $592 per acre.

“John said that soybeans in the area did relatively well at mid-60s bushels per acre this year. His farm had excellent, uniform seedling emergence,” Beyers reported. “Plants stood robust at 36 to 42 inches tall. Seed quality was very good, at medium to large size.”

For a complete list of all brands tested and a searchable database of information, visit www.firstseedtests.com