I wanted to show a little bit about the difference soybean categories make in yield. I took two pictures tonight of one of my food plots I planted on my farm in Wisconsin. You can kind of make out that my plot is divided in two (left and right) with the soybeans planted on the left being category 2.2 beans and the right are category 1.1 beans. We have not had perfect growing conditions here with some drought. You can see the beans on the left are a little taller and both are starting to yellow now. But when you look at the two plants pulled at random, you can see the yield difference. The 2.2 beans are averaging over 150 pods per plant while the 1.1 beans are just breaking 100 pods. That’s 50% more beans with the 2.2 beans. That means, it would take more acres on a food plot to get the same potential grain tonnage if you didn’t go with a bean with the highest yield for your area.
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- Notice the yield comparison, which plant would you want in your plot?
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- The soybeans on the left are category 2.2, while the right are 1.1!
Also, on my farm in Iowa I can plant category 3 beans which have even higher yields. I think this spring I will write an article about this!
Tom:
What a great article on your soybeams. Excellent! Where is a good place to purchase those type of soybeans? And when you order the best type what do you ask for. Might sound funny but, all the hunting i have done, i have alot to learn. I would like to forward your site to my son Jamie. He is the one with the fiberglas plant in Wi Rapids. And likes to hunt.
Rog Cat Mancl
Most times I get my bean seed from Jay Mar in Plover, WI. Although, many times you can buy a farmers left over seed from last year or after a years planting and save it for the following year. Bean seed that is one year old does not have a reduction in germination that is noticed for food plots.
When you purchase your beans, ask for roundup ready. And for you Roger…if you can get your beans in by May you could go with a late category 1 bean like a 1.7 or an early category 2 bean like 2.2. If you go to Jay Mar just ask for roundup ready beans category 1.7 and you’ll be fine. If you don’t anticipate getting them in until mid to late May ask for a category 1.1. You’ll do fine!!!
Your info on Soybeans is awesome; and it helped me a ton.
I have 2 questions. I’m using eagle seed Northern MIx wildlife mangers mix this spring. New virgin plot.
I’m in Northern MI; Right in The middle of Variety 1 on your map.
Can I:
Plant in Late April 1st week of May?
Eagle seed Mangers Mix (Northern) is group 0 and 2; is this ok for my area?
I am looking for green matter in summer / fall but really looking for November-December pods and food.
Kind Regards,
Matt Buzewski
MI
Matt, I had to do some research about the Eagle mix you reference. First off, I want to explain what I think this northern blend is. From what I can tell, the blend is 2 forage varieties (very little or no pods reaching maturity), a climbing variety (if it is the climbing variety on their web site it would also be no ripe pods), and 2 “normal” or Ag varieties. If I am correct, then this blend is 60% soybeans of which you will have very little or no mature pods for November and December food source. If this is the case, I personally would not use this blend if in fact your goal is November-December food plots. Forage soybeans are bread for forage and not bean yield…they put on green plant forage but no beans or less beans. Also, I couldn’t find a price any where for the beans…but my experience is when purchasing seed promoted as food plot seed you will pay a premium. Is there shipping that would also apply? Anyhow, my point is I can’t answer your questions without first pointing out that my preference for soybean food plots is Ag seed bought locally from an Ag seed supplier. Ag soybeans will still offer a great high protein source during summer and into early fall but also give the highest yield in mature bean seed…the food source deer love.
Group 0-2 is fine for your area. If you decide to try normal farmers beans for your area, a 0.7, 1.1, 1.7, and maybe up to 2.0 would work. Lately I’ve been going on the high side or pushing the late varieties because it seems like I get better yield and pod shattering is less of a problem. I wouldn’t go any later than a very early group 2 where you are. Late April and the first week of May in some years may be too early but is about the right time where you are. Some springs are earlier than others. Having no experience in that neck of the woods, I would buy Ag soybeans, a group 1.7, and shoot for a planting around that first week of May time frame.
Let me know how things work out. Thank you for the questions.
Tom