The secrets to successful soya bean production

Although variety choice is seen as one of the important aspects when producing soya beans, or any grain crop, there are many factors that contribute to crop health and yield. Magda du Toit spoke to farmers who excel in soya bean production to find out what they do to ensure they obtain optimal yields per hectare.

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In recent years, soya bean production in South Africa has shown remarkable growth due to the availability of new varieties, improved farming practices, and the rising need for plant-based proteins.

Scientific advancements in breeding and the availability of new products and traits have made soya a more dependable crop across summer grain production areas. Today farmers can benefit from:

• Early-maturing varieties;

• Drought-tolerant genetics;

• Better yields per hectare;

• Traits that provide insect protection and make weed control easier.

There are, however, many factors impacting on crop yield and health.

VARIETY CHOICE

Variety selection is always important, according to Danie Bester, a farmer from Balfour in Mpumalanga. "When deciding on a variety, consider selecting from a maturity group that aligns with the length of the growth season in your area.

Also think of your goal - are you looking for yield only, or are you looking at spreading harvest timing over a longer period?" Other important aspects, he says, include yield stability and consistency across a range of weather conditions and soils. Bester recommends looking at several years of local yield data in addition to environmental conditions when making seed decisions.

PLANTING DENSITY: PLANT POPULATION AND ROW SPACING

Plant population (seeding rate) is important to reduce costs and increase profitability.

"Overplanting leads to plant competition, potential lodging, and unnecessary seed expense, while underplanting can waste field space and reduce yield potential," says Bester.

According to Tyson Zunckel from Zunckel Farms near Bergville in KwaZulu-Natal, they plant their soya beans a bit shallower than maize seed.