Maximizing yield starts with correct planting, and correct planting starts with adjusting the planter to the proper settings. Carefully check planting equipment before you hit the field this spring.

Seed treatments can help protect soybean seeds and seedlings against a wide range of yield-threatening insects and diseases. Treatments can help to increase stand and vigor, promote earlier canopy closure and improve yield potential. The need for seed treatment depends on soil type, field history and pest pressure. Assess all factors before deciding whether to order seed treatment.

Sudden death syndrome (SDS) is one of the most detrimental diseases in soybeans due to limited management options. Correctly diagnosing the disease in the current season can help growers manage its spread in successive seasons.

Seed treatments are valuable tools for protecting soybean genetic yield potential against a wide range of insects and diseases that threaten early growth. With so many seed treatment options, it is important to understand how each one works to protect your soybean crop.

Soybean growers can maximize the yield potential of their crop by ensuring it is planted at an ideal population. Plant populations vary by geography, so it is important to consider local conditions as well as the variety, row width, seed treatments and other factors.

Soybean seed produced during summers with high heat and drought conditions can lead to increased seed size for the next growing season. These larger seed sizes, ranging from 2,000 to 2,750 seeds per pound, require more management to ensure accurate planting densities. Follow these steps to prepare equipment for planting.

Soybean seed produced during summers with high heat and drought conditions can lead to a wide range in germination rate of seed lots available for the next growing season. The quality of some seed lots may fall below customary industry standards. Be aware of studies that demonstrate how soybean plants can compensate when stands are reduced. Understand factors causing reduced germination and adjust seeding rates, if necessary.

Many factors can cause stand reduction in soybeans. Replanting may be one option to consider.

Slug damage in corn and soybeans has increased with the adoption of no-till and minimum-till practices. Because rescue treatment options are limited, growers should take steps to prevent slug damage.

The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is an invasive species that is causing economic damage to fruit, vegetable and agronomic crops in the Mid-Atlantic states. The insect now is expanding its range westward across the Corn Belt.