LaCROSSE, Ind. — Several soybean varieties survived both wet and dry conditions this year to post strong yields in seed trials on a LaPorte County farm.

Conducted by Farmer’s Independent Research of Seed Technologies (F.I.R.S.T.), the average yield per acre in the trial was 67.5 bushels per acre. Channel variety 3402R2 topped the test with an average yield of 79 bushels per acre and a gross income of $908.50 per acre. This variety’s moisture content was 8.8 percent.

In a close second, Stewart variety 3412R2 yielded 78.3 bushels per acre with an 8.8 percent moisture content. Its gross income was $900.50 per acre. Taking third place, Ebberts variety 2342RR2 yielded 76.8 bushels per acre, a gross income of $883.20 and 9.4 percent moisture.

F.I.R.S.T. Site Manager Rich Schleuning planted the field on May 22 at a rate of 180,000 seeds per acre. He said it was tough to get the crop in the ground because of heavy spring rains.

“We had a rough time when the crop went in. The wet spring and overall dampness delayed planting,” he explained. “The first stand was thinned by extreme weather conditions after planting.”

Schleuning reported plants were shortened from dry conditions later in the season, with plant height ranging from 26-34 inches tall.

He said all varieties were standing straight at harvest, which was completed on Oct. 8; however, head shelling was an issue because of dry conditions. The average moisture content for the plot was 7.9 percent and the average gross income was $776.70 per acre.

Conducted on Myron Schafer’s farm, the sandy loam, non-irrigated field was well drained with high levels of phosphorous and potassium. Tillage practices included fall tillage followed by conventional spring tillage. Touchdown herbicide was applied for weed control.

“We had good yields,” Schleuning said. “I’m really pleased with the turnout for the conditions.”