Updated July 28, 2023:
Plots were laid out on a farmer cooperator site near Laurel, DE in the spring of 2023. Lime applications were made on the appropriate spots and then turbo tilled to enhance incorporation. Following this soybeans were planted in April 2023 and monitored through drone imagery and scouting. As this was the earliest planted field in the region, deer damage and feeding was extensive. The "early" planted plots were therefore replanted in late May and the "late" planted plots were pushed back into June. Deer repellent applications have been made to reduce damage and encourage feeding in the nearby soybean fields. Drone imagery has been collected as soybeans have emerged from all plots and tissue sampling has been made at the V3 stage for all treatments.
Updated December 19, 2023:
All plots were managed through the summer as deer damage diminished and growth could continue. Additional tissue sampling occurred at the R2 growth stage and final soil samples were taken after harvest. All tissue and soil samples were sent to the soil testing lab for analyses. Harvest occurred in November 2023 by taking a UD small plot combine to the farmers field and performing the data collection. Analyses of the data will be presented at Delaware Ag Week in January 2024, including examining the future goals of projects relate to liming and acidity.