The long growing season and late average frost date in the Coastal Plain of the Southeastern U.S. supports the unique ultra-late soybean production system. Soybeans can be planted in early August, following the harvest of irrigated corn. Though the soybeans only grow about 18 inches tall, they can yield at least 20 bushels per acre. The goal for the system is to reach yields between 30 and 50 bushels per acre when harvested in December. Varieties that do well in this system don’t necessarily do well in full-season variety tests. This effort adds ultra-late soybeans to the state variety trials. Several varieties may outperform the most used variety in this system.
Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, Extension agents