LACROSSE, Ind. — In the northern part of Indiana, hit hardest by the heavy rains this season, crop height and yields were variable in one soybean hybrids test staged by Farmers’ Independent Research of Seed Technologies (FIRST).

"With record rainfall this season, drainage ditches remained full and caused ponding in fields. It was a problem with a portion of this test, resulting in the loss of one replication," said Rich Schleuning, site test manager.

"In some areas crop height varied from 16 to 24 inches in height, with no lodging. Yield levels were good but variable, due to excess water. Average area soybean yields varied from a high of upper 50s to a total field loss."

Forty-five soybean hybrids were compared on Myron Schafer’s LaPorte County farm in Lacrosse. In the full-season field test, Wyckoff W3001CR2 reached 60.5 bushels per acre with the largest gross income, of $542 per acre.

Channel 3009R2 and Mycogen 5N312R2 followed closely, with a virtual tie at 59.9 bushels and 59.7 bushels per acre. Channel brought in $538, and Mycogen earned $537, in gross income per acre.

The test average for yield of all varieties was 51.1 bushels, and the average gross income was $460 per acre. Average moisture was on target, with 13.4 percent.

The previous crop was corn treated with Bicep II Magnum and glyphosate. The soil was described at Maumee loamy sand, well-drained and non-irrigated. Tillage was conventional with fall till.

The crop was seeded on May 22 with 180,000 seeds per acre and 15-inch spacing. The beans were harvested Oct. 11, at 173,200 stands per acre.