Recommendations for Soybeans Planted in June

By Dr. Laura Lindsey, OSU Extension Soybean and Small Grains Specialist, Adapted from C.O.R.N. 16-2021

According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, 66% of soybean acreage in Ohio was planted by May 23. As soybean planting continues into June, consider row spacing, seeding rate, and relative maturity adjustments.

Row spacing. The row spacing for June planting should be 7.5 to 15 inches, if possible. Row width should be narrow enough for the soybean canopy to completely cover the interrow space by the time the soybeans begin to flower. The later in the growing season soybeans are planted, the greater the yield increase due to narrow rows.

Seeding rate. Higher seeding rates are recommended for June plantings. The final (harvest) population for soybeans planted in June should be 130,000 to 150,000 plants/acre. For May planting dates, a final stand of 100,000 to 120,000 plants/acre is generally adequate. (For more information on soybean planting date and seeding rate interactions see this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pqQSB4VBBQ&t=1463s starting at minute 8:00.)

Relative maturity. For June planting dates, select the latest maturing variety that will reach physiological maturity before the first killing frost. This is to allow the plants to grow vegetatively as long as possible to produce nodes where pods can form before vegetative growth is slowed due to flowering and pod formation. The recommended relative maturity ranges are shown in the table below.