By MEGGIE I. FOSTER.
Assistant Editor

CELINA, Ohio —Damp conditions slowed planting in the spring, followed by a drought during summer months, resulting in less than favorable yield results from a soybean seed trial in Celina, Ohio, conducted by Farmer’s Independent Research of Seed Technologies (F.I.R.S.T.).

The average yield in the test was 37.6 bushels per acre, and the average moisture content was 14.8 percent. 24 soybean seed varieties were tested on the Mercer County farm of Keith Houtz that was not irrigated and is considered to be moderately-well-drained. Minimum tillage methods were taken, including fall tillage.
The soil is described as silt loamy.

F.I.R.S.T. Manager Rich Schleuning planted the field on June 10 at a rate of 125,0000 seeds per acre. Schleuning finished harvest on this field with a stand of 95,000 plants per acre on Oct. 20.
“From a wet spring to drought conditions in July and August took the potential of a good crop” he said. “With the dry conditions, there was some late season grass present.”

The yield test was won by Ebberts 1314RR, with an average of 42.6 bu. per acre. This variety had a moisture content of 14.7 percent. This seed plot produced an estimated gross income of $404.70 per acre.

A full list of soybean seed varieties tested is available at www.firstseedtests.com