Tennessee held the Top Bean soybean yield contest in 2019, as a collaboration between UT Extension and the Tennessee Soybean Promotion Council.  Dry, hot weather in September and excess rains in October and November, created some yield challenges for soybean producers who planted late, but yields for early planted beans were good to excellent.  Most higher yield entries were from early (late April or early May) planted soybeans planted on narrow rows.

For the contest, Tennessee was divided into five districts with first and second-place winners in each district.  The district fist-place winners automatically competed for Top Bean state yield champion in irrigated and nonirrigated production.  Congratulations to Mr. Brad Burks (Lauderdale county) who is the 2019 state winner for irrigated soybean production with 100.2 bushels/acre, and to Mr. Eric Reed (Lincoln county) who is the state winner for nonirrigated soybean production with 89.2 bushels/acre.  All district and state winners will receive additional recognition at their local Grain Conferences in February.

For a complete listing of district winners and runners-up please click on the link below:

Contest Winners

While the majority of soybeans are harvested without the benefit of a harvest aid, there are a few situations where they make sense.  Using the right product in the right field at the right timing is key to achieving enhanced dry down without impacting seed quality. Continue reading →

As May planted soybeans are approaching full seed, I have received several calls about terminating irrigation. Since this has been a hotter year than the past few years, there is some concern that if water is shut off too early, we may give up some yield. Continue reading →