Many on the fence | Ideally, soybeans should be seeded between May 15 and 25 to mature before frost
Fields have dried and soil temperatures are well suited for seeding, but western Manitoba growers are being cautious with soybeans, says a Manitoba Agriculture representative.
Scott Chalmers, a crop diversification expert in Melita, Man., said extremely cold temperatures in April and a late start to spring have made growers wary of planting something new, like soybeans.
“The fluctuations in climate has kind of thrown guys for a loop,” he said.
Dennis Lange, a Manitoba Agriculture farm production adviser and soybean specialist, agreed that novice soybean growers might not experiment with beans or increase acres this year.
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Since last fall, industry watchers have speculated that Manitoba soy area would reach a million acres in 2013, shattering last year’s record of 850,000 acres.
At this point, Lange isn’t sure what to think about that.
“I’m still flipping a coin on that one,” he said. “During the winter months there was a lot of excitement about growing soybeans. Now I’m hearing reports of growers getting a little antsy (about) growing beans in western Manitoba.”
Frank Prince, who farms 4,500 acres near Deloraine, Man., said some of his neighbours might abandon their soybean intentions.
Some farmers might assume that soybeans should be seeded as early as possible. In practice, though, soybeans should be seeded in late May, Prince noted.
“They’re all cutting acres right now because … they want to have their beans in May 1,” said Prince, who began seeding last week and intends to plant at least 1,200 acres of soybeans. “Beans aren’t a May 1 crop…. I’d rather have them in June 1 than May 1…. Beans hate frost and beans hate cold ground.”
Last year Prince seeded soybeans May 28, about 10 days later than most neighbours. Thanks to warm soil, his beans emerged in three days. The beans planted 10 days earlier sat in the ground, only to emerge at the same time as his soybeans, he said.
Lange concurred it’s not necessary to plant soybeans in early May. Ideal time is between May 15 and 25 in western Manitoba.
Chalmers, who was seeding soybeans last week into the Westman Agricultural Diversification Organization’s test plots near Melita, said sowing conditions were good, with soil temperature around Melita at 12.8 C in the middle of May, well above the 10 C minimum for beans.
Prince remains confident. In fact, he may seed up to 3,000 acres of beans if conditions become wet because he believes the crop is hardier than others in excessive moisture.
