ROANOKE, Ind. — Many soybean hybrids survived challenging growing conditions this year to post strong yields in seed trials. The average yield per acre in the Wolcott trial was 64.3 bushels per acre, and the Roanoke test produced 54.2 bu. per acre. The test was conducted by Farmer’s Independent Research of Seed Technologies (F.I.R.S.T.) earlier this harvest season.

Ebberts Seeds finished strong in both tests. At Roakoke, Ebberts hybrids took the top two spots. Hybrid variety RR2320 produced an average yield of 62.3 bu. per acre to win the trial. It had a moisture content of 16.6 percent, and it had an estimated gross income of $591.90 per acre. Hybrid RR2340 finished a close second at 61.9 bu. per acre. This variety’s moisture content was 18.2 percent. Beck’s Hybrid XL-325NR was the only other variety to produce more than 60 bu. per acre in this trial. This product had a yield of 61.4 bu. per acre, and its moisture content was 17.8 percent.

F.I.R.S.T. manager Rich Schleuning planted the field on May 30 at a rate of 175,000 seeds per acre.

“The delayed planting date was due to a wet spring,” Schleuning explained. “The yield was better than expected considering the weather conditions in July.”

He harvested 154,300 plants per acre on Oct. 20. “Harvest was nice as the plants were not lodged,” Schleuning reported. “The plant heights ranged from 30 to 36 inches tall.”

The test was on the Whitley County, Ind. farm of Rick Stetzel. The soil was a Pewamo silty clay loam. The field was no-till, non-irrigated, and it was well drained. Roundup was used for pest management.

Wolcott, Ind. trial

An Ebberts’ hybrid also won this trial. Ebberts RR2350 generated 78.8 bu. per acre – more than six bushels per acre than any other variety in the test. This hybrid had a moisture content of 17.3 percent, and its estimated gross income per acre was $748.60.
Other top hybrids at this site include LG Seeds C3616R2 at 72.5 bu. per acre, and Stewart Seeds 3677R2 at 70.1 bu. per acre. (See results on page 11.)

Schleuning planted the field at 170,000 seeds per acre on May 11. He harvested 168,400 plants per acre on Oct. 19. The region had suffered from mold this year. “There was no sign of white mold in the plot area, despite it being present in the surrounding field,” said Schleuning.

The test was on the White County, Ind. farm of Bruce and Vernon Furrer. The soil was a Gilford-Seafield sandy loam. It was non-irrigated and well drained. Extreme was used for pest management.
“We had good emergence and final stand despite the tough spring,” Schleuning added. “The plant heights were from 32 to 38 inches tall.”

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