Optimum soybean planting dates for Nebraska range from early to mid May, although work by UNL Extension Engineer Paul Jasa suggests that yields of soybeans planted in March and April are similar to those planted in mid to late May.
Normally, it is best to wait to plant until soil temperature is close to or at 60oF. The optimum temperature for soybean germination is 86oF. Planting into seedbeds that are in the low 50s is not advisable unless the seed is treated and/or soil temperatures are rising rapidly. Daily soil temperature updates are available on the CropWatch Weather Web site.
Planting date affects the size of plant attained before flowering begins. Indeterminate soybeans planted in early May or mid to late June usually are shorter and have fewer nodes. Planting between May 10 and May 20 provides time for adequate vegetative growth and good yield potential. Late-planted determinate soybeans often have similar or greater heights and node numbers compared to those planted earlier.
Bob Klein
Extension Cropping Systems Specialist
Roger Elmore
Adjunct Professor of Agronomy
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