Better Farming - January 2017

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34 Like Us on Facebook: BetterFarmingON Better Farming January 2017
DOUBLECROPPINGSOYBEANS
per cent organic matter, Richter does
not recommend double cropping.
Instead, the grower should consider
strategies to improve soil health first.
Glyphosate is a popular choice of
pesticide for growers.
Roundup Ready soybean varieties
should be the growers’ first choice,
says Bohner. The glyphosate will best
control the volunteer wheat and barley
that commonly grow among the
beans.
“Only one application of glyphosate
works well for growers, as there’s not
many flushes of weeds (at that point)
in the season,” says Bohner.
Challenges and growth
Dave Way, who farms outside
Tillsonburg, grows double crop
soybeans to be as productive as
possible on every acre of land.
“I’m not a big gambler, but (by
planting beans) what have I got to
lose?” says Way. “If they don’t make
it, we still have a green crop that we
can plow down.”
Deitrich is already planning which
fields to double crop in 2017. “We
planted the wheat (in those fields)
first and chose a variety that is shorter
in height and seems to have less
residue to deal with next summer.”
Deitrich’s biggest tip? “Do your
homework on your farms, and have a
plan. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.” BF
Farmers should have the air drill ready to plant their double cropped
soybeans as soon as possible after harvesting wheat.
Eric Dietrich photo