By KEVIN WALKER
Michigan Correspondent

MARION, Ind. — Seed brands from five different companies took the top six spots in a soybean test recently at a farm in Wells County. The test was conducted by Farmer’s Independent Research of Seed Technologies (F.I.R.S.T.) at the farm of Chad Roush in Marion.

LG Seeds brand C3616R2 took first place for this test. The yield for this variety was an average of 83.4 bushels per acre; the estimated average gross income was $903.60 per acre. Moisture content was 11.3 percent.

Two different varieties of Beck’s seed took second and third places for this test. Beck’s XL Ex6013NR took second with an average yield of 83 bushels per acre and an estimated average gross income of $900.10 per acre. Moisture content for this variety was 10.8 percent.

Beck’s XL 357NR placed third, with an average yield of 82.4 acres per bushel and an estimated gross income per acre of $892.60. The moisture content for this variety was 11.4 percent.

F.I.R.S.T. Manager Rich Schleuning planted 185,000 seeds per acre on May 11 and harvested 174,700 seeds per acre Sept. 25. He seemed happy with how the test went.

“This test got off to a great start and continued full season,” Schleuning said. “Overall soybean height was moderate and stood very well at harvest. Timely rains in late July and August delivered solid yields. No disease issues were apparent at this site, but SDS (Sudden Death Syndrome) had been reported in the area. Soybeans were smaller than usual.”

Roush’s soil is Pewamo silt loam, non-irrigated and well drained. It has high phosphorous, high potassium, a 6.6 pH and 2.3 percent organic matter. The field was only minimally cultivated without any fall tillage.

The crop was treated with glyphosate, KickStand and Coron. The previous crop was also soybeans, and had been treated with Flexstar, FirstRate and Select.

Taking fourth place for this test was Steyer 3202R2, with an average yield per acre of 82 bushels and an estimated gross income per acre of $889. Ebberts 2371RR2 took fifth place, with an average yield per acre of 81.9 bushels and an estimated gross income per acre of $888.10.

Stewart 3177R2 took sixth place, with an average yield per acre of 81.9 bushels and an estimated gross income per acre of $886.
To see all available test results, go to www.firstseedtests.com