Double Cropping - What Maturity Should be Planted?

This information was sent to us by Eric Richter , Agronomist at Syngenta Canada.

For those  customers considering double cropping soybeans, one of the most common questions is about the maturity that should be planted.

A)     Regardless of location, if the soybeans are planted by June 20^th, I am comfortable recommending full season soybeans for that respective maturity zone.  The crop will mature as expected with very low risk of crop failure due to delayed maturity and a postponed harvest.  These soybean fields will most likely be post-Thanksgiving Harvest and panting winter wheat not likely an option.

B)      If planting June 20^th-30^th, it still would be advisable to start a maturity down shift perhaps 100 CHU to reduce maturity risk so  as not to postpone harvest exceptionally late.

C)      Planting double crop soybeans in July, the grower definitely needs to down-shift 150-200 CHU from regular maturity that would be planted in May or early-June. Harvest will still most likely be in early November

      A tech report is also available from Eric on soybean double crop systems.  If you'd like a copy, please contact Rich or myself.

      Kelley Schroeyers