We’ve wrapped up our 2024 Soybean Test Plot this past week. This year’s plot included 17 varieties from 4 different seed companies. Each year, we partner with seed companies to conduct a side-by-side comparison of their varieties, providing real-world data that informs our planting decisions. This year’s plot included both early-season and full-season varieties, offering a comprehensive look at how these soybeans held up through the growing season, which included some tough weather challenges.
Test Plot Overview
The 2024 test plot data was gathered from a farm that is predominately sandy, loamy soil, a common type in our operation and in the area. We planted this plot on May 24, 2024, and used a seeding rate of 125,000 seeds per acre. The planting width was in 30-inch rows and 8 gallons of a 28% nitrogen and 10/34/0 fertilizer were applied 2×2. The field is conventionally tilled with a rye cover crop, which helps improve soil health and control weeds. The previous crop grown in the field was corn. This crop rotation and use of cover crops supports sustainable soil management.
We harvested the test plot on October 7, 2024, after a growing season that brought with it a range of conditions, including the challenges of a D2 drought, which lowered overall yields but provided an excellent opportunity to see which varieties could thrive under stress.
Key Findings from the 2024 Soybean Test Plot
Top Yielding Varieties
In the early season plot, the standout performer was Pioneer P25A16E (Plot Checker Variety), producing a check-adjusted yield of 58.9 bu/acre (average yield across the entire early season plot). This variety excelled despite the challenging growing conditions, making it a top choice for early-season planting. Additionally, HiSoy HS25E30 followed closely with 57.9 bu/acre, while Pioneer P28Z89E was right behind that yielding 57.6 bu/acre. These strong performers demonstrated resilience and adaptability during the growing season.
In the full-season plot, Pioneer P32Z91E led the way with a check-adjusted yield of 54.5 bu/acre, proving to be a solid full-season performer this year. Stine 33EG02 and HiSoy HS34E40 also performed well, yielding 48.1 bu/acre and 47.0 bu/acre, respectively.
We felt it was a bad year for full-season soybeans due to the lack of moisture later in the year. We believe that is why you see the yield results below the early season numbers. Over the last couple of years, we have noticed that early-season varieties are outperforming full-season soybeans. We feel that late-season moisture plays a large part in getting the full-season soybeans to really finish.
The combined plot data, which merges early and full-season results, revealed additional insights into overall variety performance across the entire test plot:
- HiSoy HS25E30 led the combined rankings with a check-adjusted yield of 57.9 bu/acre and an actual yield of 60.9 bu/acre, placing it as a top performer overall.
- Pioneer P28Z89E followed closely with a check-adjusted yield of 57.6 bu/acre and an actual yield of 55.1 bu/acre, proving to be a reliable option across both plots.
- Pioneer P25A16E (Checker) also performed well in the combined plot, with a check-adjusted yield of 55.2 bu/acre (Checker average yield across the entire test plot) and an impressive actual yield of 61.9 bu/acre – ranking first, highlighting its strong potential across both early and full-season conditions.
- Pioneer P32Z91E rounded out the top four in the combined plot, with a check-adjusted yield of 54.5 bu/acre and an actual yield of 56.8 bu/acre.
Other notable performers in the combined plot include Stine 27EG22 with a check-adjusted yield of 53.0 bu/acre and HiSoy HS29E40 with 51.9 bu/acre, both of which showed strong adaptability in various field conditions.
This combined data gives us a comprehensive view of each variety’s performance under both early and full-season conditions, allowing us to identify the most resilient and productive varieties for future planting decisions.
These results highlight the importance of selecting varieties that not only perform well in specific conditions but also maintain consistent yields across varying weather and soil conditions. By examining both early and full-season data, we can make more informed decisions about the best varieties to plant in the coming years.
Moisture Levels
Moisture content is always a critical factor in both the timing of harvest and the quality of the crop. For early-season soybeans, moisture levels ranged from 9.1% to 10.6%, while full-season varieties had a similar range, from 9.0% to 10.8%. These moisture levels were below optimal soybean moisture but due to the warm sunny days during dry down, the moisture left these soybeans in a hurry.
Yield Accuracy
To ensure the accuracy of the data, we employed two weight wagons on-site. One was used for the early plot while the other was used for the full-season plot. Each test plot received an average checker yield, which we used to adjust and compare the performance of each variety accurately no matter the soil type. The average checker yield was calculated from the checker rows in each plot, providing a baseline that allowed us to normalize the data and give a more precise comparison across all varieties.
Peking Varieties
Several varieties in our test plot were highlighted as Peking varieties, known for their resistance to soybean cyst nematodes (SCN). SCN is the #1 yield-robbing pest in soybean production, as these microscopic pests attack the roots of the plants, reducing yields. Peking varieties are an important tool in managing SCN pressure, and our data showed that these varieties performed well, especially in fields with known SCN issues.
Weather Challenges and Their Impact
This year, the D2 drought (Now D3) presented a major challenge for our soybean crop during the growing season. According to Climate Fieldview, this farm has received 22.2 inches of moisture this year, 2.7 inches less than the 5-year average. While late-season drought conditions inevitably led to lower overall yields, they also provided valuable data on which soybean varieties are more drought-tolerant. The test plot data showed that certain varieties could handle the stress better than others, offering key insights into which seeds are best suited for conditions where water availability might be limited.
Looking Ahead: Using the Data to Inform Future Decisions
The insights gained from our 2024 Soybean Test Plot will play a critical role in shaping our planting decisions for the coming seasons. By understanding how different varieties perform under both ideal and challenging conditions, we can make more informed decisions that optimize yield, quality, and sustainability.
For example, based on this year’s results, we’re likely to favor varieties like Pioneer P25A16E and Pioneer P32Z91E, which performed exceptionally well in both the early and full-season plots, even in the face of drought. The Peking varieties will also remain a key part of our strategy for fields where SCN pressure is a concern.
Conclusion
The 2024 Soybean Test Plot at Maranatha Acres has once again provided valuable data that will guide our future planting decisions. This test plot not only allows us to see how different varieties perform in real-world conditions, but it also gives our seed partners critical insights into how their products are working in the field.
We’re excited to continue learning and growing, ensuring that we make the best decisions for our farm, our soil, and our future.
For a detailed breakdown of the data, including specific variety performance in both early and full-season plots, check out our full report on the 2024 Soybean Test Plot results. We look forward to sharing more insights as we continue to refine our practices for next year’s planting season.