What to do with my soybeans

ostdc · 08-20-2004, 09:05 AM

My bean plots did not amount to much this year. We have had very dry conditions and the beans are only 5-6" tall. Here in Northern WI it is marginal for soybeans anyway.
But with such cool conditions lately, I've been contemplating plowing them under and putting in winter wheat as a fall plot and then going back to beans in the spring.
What do you guys think?
Brian

psandhu · 08-20-2004, 09:43 AM

yeah, i'd plow it under and put in wheat, or maybe just broadcast wheat and disk it. the beans aren't going to be very productive, and i have a feeling that the normal growing season is about over with in WI. in the next 4-8 weeks is when most farmers here in KS plant winter wheat, so you should be just about right.

RonM · 08-20-2004, 03:07 PM

Just disc up the beans and sow wheat, the beans produce nitrogen fixing nodules so it should be enought to fertilize the wheat crop. You might try a little clover as well. put it off to one side a little adnd see how they do. you could leave the clover there in the spring....

ostdc · 08-23-2004, 07:07 AM

There was frost there I think on Friday. I believe that would be the end of my soybeans. I think I'm going to try to get winter wheat in there asap. I don't want to put clover in as I want to put soybeans in there again next spring.
Brian

Wooddust · 08-23-2004, 07:15 AM

Dont get in too big a hurry.....wheat can come up with good results from very little soil preperation. I would seriously consider overseeding the beans and pull a drag through it. The beans will be a little mangled but you wont kill them, deer love beans, and the wheat will come through it....just a thought.

ostdc · 08-23-2004, 09:53 AM

That's a good idea, Wooddust. I might do that.
Does anyone know how rape would do as a fall plot?
Brian

greg-dude · 08-23-2004, 12:39 PM

In my area of central MO, I would choose wheat over rape any day based upon the experience I have had with rape and local deer usage. However, in your area, it may be a viable option. Check the locals to see if they have had success with rape. The rape could be planted with the same method that Wooddust suggested since it is a small seed species.

farm hunter · 08-23-2004, 08:02 PM

I think a fall crop of Rapeseed would kind of like a "candy crop" - Similar to cowpeas or soybeans fall planted. It just won't have time to mature with a fall planting.

Rape does really like Nitrogen though - so if you have a good amount or can add it - you might have a small, attractive plot come October.

I'd probably mix in some Wheat, Rye or BFO to help keep the pressure off the young rape - so it can get at least some size by the first frosts - which will kill it.

1sagittarius · 08-23-2004, 08:25 PM

ostdc, I was up in Price county on Friday/Saturday, and I saw frost each morning, your beans may be done. Saw corn that was only knee high too due to cold summer.

Broadcast some wheat and disk it in 1-2 inches, then if you want broadcast some clover too. But do it quick, it has been a VERY cold summer and you may not have much time left.