December 13, 2024

Are Maximum Yields and Maximum Weaning Weights Always the Best Targets?

          Today I read an article by Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Educator titled “Below breed average bulls may be better”. Producers often make use of EPDs and other genetic information for selecting bulls based on weaning weights and milk production.  The premise is that bigger weaning weights mean bigger checks at sale time and thus, more profit. Grain producers follow a similar line of thought when selecting seed varieties. Bigger yielding varieties mean more bushels to sell, right? It’s not always so simple!

          Berger points out that higher milk production and bigger weaning weights often come with larger mature cow size, reduced breed back rates, and shorter productive lives of replacement females. Each of these factors comes with a higher production cost.

          Grain producers generally do a pretty good job of recognizing that higher yield potentials generally mean a need for higher fertilizer rates but wading through the maze of higher yield potential versus reduced quality traits, disease resistance, and insect resistance can become a little murkier. Some of those disease and insect issues can be solved by fungicides and insecticides, but at what cost?

          MEY or maximum economic yield was a popular discussion topic 35 years ago that is still relevant today. Today’s producers, both livestock producers and crop producers have more tools in their toolboxes in the form of both genetics and equipment but they still need good production records to apply these tools on their operations for maximum economic production and return on their investments.

          Soybean producers have a chance to add to their toolbox of production and marketing information at either of two Western Soybean Schools planned for February. Check out this news release from North Dakota State University Extension.

NDSU Extension Western Soybean Days set for Feb. 18 and 19

          Soybean disease management, variety updates and weed control research will be among the topics at the 2025 Western Soybean School Days on Feb. 18 in Minot, North Dakota, and Feb. 19 in Dickinson, North Dakota. Each day the school begins at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at noon, with lunch provided at each location.

Hosted by North Dakota State University Extension, the schools are designed to provide updates on soybean production and soil fertility, and insect pests, weeds and disease management to soybean farmers and crop advisers.

Locations:

• Feb. 18 — Conference Room, North Central Research Extension Center, 5400 Highway 83 S, Minot, North Dakota
• Feb. 19 — Stark County Family and Ag Resource Campus Office, Dakota Room Door C, 2680 Empire Rd, Dickinson, North Dakota

Agenda:

• Agronomy and soybean variety updates
• Soybean disease management and research updates
• Weed control research updates
• Soil fertility and nutrient management
• Insect control and research updates
• Soybean market/production outlook

Continuing education units (CEUs) for Certified Crop Advisers are offered on the day of the event in both locations.

The schools are free to attend, but registration is required for a meal count. Register to attend at ndsu.ag/soybeanschool.

These events are sponsored by the North Dakota Soybean Council.