The Peru Gazette

Soybean production in Northern NY has increased significantly in the last 5 years: from approximately 5,000 acres in 2007 to approximately 14,000 acres grown in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties in 2012. To support farmer interest in the crop, the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) funded 2013 soybean variety trials conducted by Cornell University at two sites in the region.

The results of the 2013 soybean trials conducted at Robbins Farms in Jefferson County and at the Miner Institute in Clinton County area posted at www.nnyagdev.org <http://www.nnyagdev.org> .

Lead researcher William J. Cox, a Cornell University Crop and Soil Sciences professor, says the probability of increased soybean acreage in Northern NY is high for reasons that involve climate and costs.

“It is no longer too cool to produce soybeans in Northern NY. The 2013 growing season was considered to be a cool year, especially from mid-July through September. Nevertheless, the Watertown Airport recorded 2040 growing degree days (GDD) from June 1 through September 30, more than 100 GDD above normal. Despite the light frosts on September 17 and September 24, the Group I soybeans planted on May 14 had attained physiological maturity and did not suffer any yield loss,” Cox points out.

“Farmers can also delay planting soybeans through the first week of June with minimal yield penalty. Many soils in NNY do not dry out until early June and soybeans could be planted at this time with a limited yield penalty. Of equal importance, these wet spring soils hold moisture better than lighter soils in August when conditions become dry,” Cox notes. “More soil water and cooler comparative temperatures in Northern NY in August would result in less moisture stress for soybeans during this critical period of soybean development.”

The cost of soybean meal, which exceeds $400/ton, also has farmers considering planting and processing their own soybeans.

“The price of soybean meal will probably remain high because of the increased demand for soybeans in China. The lower inputs – minimal tillage, planting, spraying, (unless aphids or diseases arise), and harvesting – for soybeans vs. corn makes it an attractive crop from a labor-management perspective, especially on smaller dairy operations,” Cox says. “The relatively high value of the crop also makes it an ideal candidate as a cash crop.”

Soybean handling facilities that ship soybeans on railroad cars for overseas destinations are in place in Jefferson County.

The results of the NNY soybean variety trials were incorporated into the Recommended Soybean Variety Tables for NNY in the 2014 Cornell Guide for Integrated Field Crop Management.

The complete 2013 Northern New York Soybean Variety Trials report with tables is posted at www.nnyagdev.org.