MILLEDGEVILLE, Ill. — All but two of the top 30 soybean seed varieties of the 54 planted this year were Roundup Ready 2 Yield in a soybean seed test in northern Illinois (see chart below).

The test was conducted by Farmer’s Independent Research of Seed Technologies (F.I.R.S.T.) on the Carroll County, Ill. farm of Steve Hollewell. The top five hybrids were all different brands, with the top yielder Stone 2R2502.

Thia variety produced an average yield of 83.3 bushels per acre. The moisture content was 11.3 percent, and the estimated gross income per acre was $958.

The second- through fifth-place yields ranged narrowly between 80.1-80.9 bushels. Moisture content varied more widely, from 9.7 percent to 11.7. The estimated gross income per acre ranged from $921.20-$930.40.

In second place was Asgrow AG2431; third, FS Hisoy HS 24A01; fourth, Diener 2444R2; and fifth, Titan Pro 23M9. Other brands showing up in the top 30 included Steyer, Kruger, Renk, Jung, Dairyland and Channel.

Using conventional tillage practices without fall till, the beans planted in this test plot followed corn with applications of Bicep II Magnum, Laudis and Atrazine.

F.I.R.S.T. Site Manager Jason Beyers planted at a rate of 170,000 seeds per acre on May 19, and harvested 159,500 plants per acre Oct. 6.

“Plants were relatively tall, leading to the lodging. Very little evidence of any diseases present at harvest. Overall, a nice, uniform location,” Beyers said.

He said the plot had excellent growth early in the season, then experienced dry conditions in most of July and August. Later rainfall helped pod set and fill immensely, he said.

For a complete list of all brands tested and a searchable database of information, go online to www.firstseed tests.com