Had someone forecast on April Fools Day, that on June 1, many corn and soybean fields would be canopied and that wheat would be turning color, most farmers in west central Ohio would have been skeptical. True, some corn had already been planted and the long term weather predictions were favorable for corn and soybean planting. However, few if any thought crops might progress as rapidly as they did.

Along the way, many questionable wheat stands bit the dust as producers weighed income projections versus corn and soybeans. Wheat remains an important crop in our area though, with dairy and other livestock farmers wanting straw and a place to apply manure during the summer.  

When wheat headed in early May, the potential for high yields was in sight for good stands. Relatively dry conditions limited disease development and the likelihood of an extended grain fill period looked promising. Keep in mind that our wheat rarely has the chance to mature naturally; usually area wheat maturation is accelerated by 90-degree plus conditions in mid-June.
Unfortunately, several hot days around Memorial Day resulted in wheat transitioning from live green to a yellowing cast the last week of May. More drying weather could push harvest to mid-June.  

With harvest soybean prices hovering around the $12 dollar mark, the temptation to double crop into wheat stubble is significant. Seed suppliers are providing incentives as well, tying the price of seed to other company products.  

Traditionally, most double cropping of soybeans has stayed close to I-70 and south.  However, numerous producers experienced 40-bushel per acre yields and higher in 2011 after wheat was harvested. Of course, last year much of our planting was delayed to a wet May and early June, so soil moisture at the end of June was adequate in many areas. The old adage, “If June is dry, do not try” to double crop did not apply. At this time, most soils in our area hold little moisture in the subsoil.  If that situation continues, current enthusiasm to seed second crop soybeans may wain.

Other factors may come into play when making the decision to plant soybeans into wheat stubble. If the need for straw was a key reason to plant wheat, straw may be clipped short to maximize bedding yield. In contrast to straw needs, keeping a foot of wheat stubble as a mulch helps conserve soil moisture for double crop soybeans, which could be critical if rainfall is limited.  

If the wheat field planned for soybeans was planted following a 2011 soybean crop, double cropping essentially eliminates the rotational value of the grassy (wheat) crop. That might be a very important factor, especially if fields have medium or high populations of soybean cyst nematode.  

Assume for the time being that wheat will be combined by June 20, and soil moisture reserves offer some assurance of germination and initial growth. If the decision is to plant soybeans, be sure to have a plan in place to eliminate all existing weeds and or cover crop clover at or near the time of planting. With moisture retention a high priority, taking out all other plants that might compete with soybean seedlings is an absolute necessity. A follow-up treatment to take out volunteer wheat and later emerging weeds will also be necessary. 

Narrow rows are required to maximize yield, so park the 15-inch row planter and use the no-till drill. According to a fact sheet authored by retired Ohio State University Extension Specialist Jim Beuerlein, the soybeans will likely flower about 30-days after emergence. A 3.4 to 3.8 maturity variety, seeded 4 seeds per foot in the narrow rows is recommended.  

Good luck with your double cropping decision!

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Roger Bender may write to him in care of this publication.