BRANDON – Farmers across the Prairies are hearing stories about the high-yielding, good-quality soybean crops grown in Manitoba’s Red River Valley.
With wheat returns projected to be low in 2010-11 and flax markets in question because of Triffid contamination, many farmers in Saskatchewan and western Manitoba are wondering if they should try the crop this spring.
However, it’s not just another field crop, say those with prairie growing experience.
Farmers looking for alternatives to cereals are examining short season soybeans, such as NSC Warren RR, which require only 2,375 heat units and 115 frost-free days and can yield 40 bushels without fertilizer.
Read Also
Agriculture ministers agree to AgriStability changes
federal government proposed several months ago to increase the compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and double the maximum payment from $3 million to $6 million
“With those kinds of numbers, soybeans have started migrating west, out of the Red River Valley, across southwestern Manitoba and into Saskatchewan now,” says Ray Wytinck of NorthStar Genetics, a Manitoba company specializing in short season soybeans.
NSC Warren RR is one of NorthStar’s six varieties, all of which require less than 2,550 heat units and fewer than 123 days to mature.
Wytinck said some of their newer varieties hit 60 bu. with minimal fertilizer. Without fertilizer, Warren RR has yielded 40 bu. on a regular basis in the Red River Valley.
“Further west, outside the Red River Valley, Warren still yields 35 to 40 bu. without fertilizer.”
Wytinck has received inquiries from Saskatchewan farmers interested in soybeans. As a result, NorthStar now has two dealers in that province: one in Moosomin near the Manitoba border and the other in Churchbridge near Yorkton.
Wytinck said these areas often receive 25 centimetres of moisture annually, which is the minimum for soybeans.
“Beans need water. Beans can withstand heat far better than canola, but they are not drought tolerant,” he said.
“Eastern Saskatchewan generally has enough moisture to grow a good bean crop if you plant a short season variety.
“In total, we expect about 500,000 acres of soybeans in Manitoba this year, plus 15,000 to 20,000 acres in eastern Saskatchewan.”
For most of 2009, prices held steady at $9.50 to $11 US a bushel.
According to German oilseed analyst Thomas Mielke of Oil World, growers in North America will likely see $8 to $9 per bu. for the new crop.
While the price may still seem attractive, seed isn’t cheap at $60 to $70 per acre. Whether farmers solid seed or row seed with an air seeder, they still need to plant 220,000 viable seeds per acre.
“On the other side of the coin, guys in the (Red River) Valley are pulling off 30 to 40 bu. without applying any fertilizer, so that’s a big cut in your inputs,” Wytinck said.
He said his company’s varieties are Roundup Ready, so weed control is typically limited to two, half-litre applications.
“That’s another $9. Other than that, you really have no other input costs. And you don’t need a special bean planter.”
Seed grower Kevin Elmy of Saltcoats, Sask., said he will plant one-third of his farm to soybeans again this year. In 2009 he sold seed to cover 20,000 acres.
Typical yields have been higher than 35 bu. per acre north of Yorkton. His customers grow the crop from Westlock, Alta., to Dauphin, Man., with yields of 28 to 35 bu. per acre under difficult conditions.
“This year we have some folks trying it at the Pas (in northern Manitoba).”
He recommended Roundup Ready varieties such as Legend Seeds’ LS0028 or LS0036.
Other short season varieties to consider are Thunder 23005RR; Syngenta’s S00-W3 and H7 lines at 2,450 and 2,500 respectively; Canterra Seeds’ Apollo RR at 2,375 and Tundra at 2,350; Hyland Seeds’ RR Rosco 2,450 and RR Russell at 2475; Brett Young’s Elite IsisRR at 2,400 and OlexRR 2,475; Secan’s Montcalm 2,450; Dekalb 24-52R 2,475 (in Manitoba) and Pioneer Hi-bred’s 90A06 at 2,450.
Wytinck said it’s pointless to plant a variety that doesn’t have a statistically decent chance of maturing with the necessary heat units and frost-free days. He urges first-time growers to check with other producers in the area who have grown the same variety.
Elmy said producers should start small with 20 to 80 acres and get an idea of what the crop is like.
For more information, contact Kevin Elmy at 306-744-2332, www.friendlyacres.com and Ray Wytinck at 204-757-4667, www.weknowbeans.com. For a prairie soybean primer, visit www.quarrygrain.com.
