Louisiana Soybean Crop Progress & Condition Week of August 3

Dr. David Mosely, LSU Extension Service Soybean Specialist

The Louisiana soybean crop was 99% blooming by the week ending on August 2, with 92% of the crop setting pods. In addition, 20% of the crop is beginning to mature. The early maturity group varieties in a planting date trial (planted on March 19) at the Dean Lee Research station is approaching the R8 (full maturity) growth stage. Statewide, the soybean crop condition improved with a current rating of 88% good – excellent, up from 85% the previous week.  

Soybean Variety Testing

Selecting a soybean variety is one of the most important decisions a producer can make to have a successful crop. To help Louisiana soybean producers select the most suitable variety, The LSU AgCenter conducts an official variety trial (OVT). The 2020 OVT consist of 158 varieties entered by 16 seed companies and three University soybean breeding programs. The varieties consist of several different herbicide technologies and the maturity groups range from 3.7 to 6.0. The trial is replicated at seven research stations across the state in different soil types including fine sandy loam, silt loam, silty clay, and clay. At each location, the varieties are replicated four times. The yield data will be published by the LSU AgCenter in a soybean variety book. In addition to yield, the maturity date, height, lodging resistance and resistance to several diseases will be published. The 2020 OVT results will be published ASAP following harvest, to assist with producer’s 2021 variety selections and planting decisions. The variety book published for the 2020 growing season can be found at 2020 Soybean Variety Yields and Production Practices. When making selections, it is important to consider varieties with the best performance and stability. A producer should evaluate varieties that perform the best in an environment similar to their own and varieties that perform well over multiple environments. When possible, variety performance over multiple environments and multiple years should be considered.