By Scout Nelson
This year's floodwaters have presented serious difficulties for South Dakota farmers. With the water gradually receding, farmers are looking for substitute crops for their submerged soybean fields. One frequently asked subject in soybean fields is how to fill up dead patches.
This spring's application of pre-emerging herbicides may have restricted your possibilities for replanting. Before planting in these regions, always read the labels of pesticides and herbicides and consider any limits on cattle use when choosing feed.
Replanting soybeans for grain may not be profitable this late in the season. Group 0.0 beans are recommended for their shorter growing period, though yield expectations are low.
Alternatively, soybeans can be used for forage. Though not common locally, soybeans originally came here as a forage crop. A study in Wisconsin showed that soybean forage can yield over 4 tons per acre with decent feed quality.
For forage, select long-maturing varieties to maximize foliage. While soybean forage can be a valuable resource, green soybeans and mature soybeans require careful management to avoid potential issues like bloat.
If you have damaged bales from flooding, testing for toxins or rolling off spoiled portions can help, but proceed with caution. Molds and toxins make flooded bales risky for feeding.
Consult with crop insurance agents and animal nutritionists before making any decisions.
Photo Credit: istock-ds70
Categories: South Dakota, Crops, Soybeans