Limited knowledge exists regarding the yield response of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] from different maturity groups (MGs) to planting date in the southern United States. This information is needed to determine optimal planting dates for each MG. Our objective was to determine the optimum planting date for soybean in MG II, III, IV, and V in western Tennessee while considering producers’ risk preference. Net returns for each MG with four revenue protection (RP) insurance coverage levels were simulated using planting date–yield response functions for each MG. A multiyear experiment (2008–2010) was conducted on MG II, III, IV, and V planted at different dates in Milan, TN. The profit‐maximizing planting dates for soybean in western Tennessee were 24 May, 16 May, 13 May, and 22 May for MG II, III, IV, and V, respectively. The confidence intervals for the expected profit‐maximizing planting dates across MGs overlapped, suggesting that Tennessee producers have a long period for planting. Risk‐neutral to slightly risk‐averse producers would prefer MG III with no RP, but as the risk aversion increased, the preferred management strategy was MG III with 80% RP. These results will help producers determine optimum planting windows and crop insurance options for soybean production in West Tennessee based on their risk preferences.
Farmers may be reluctant to adopt variable rate nitrogen (VRN) management because of uncertain profits. This study assessed field landscape, soil, and weather effects on optical sensing (OS)-based VRN on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) N rates, yields, and net returns (NRs). Field data were collected from 21 locations in Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee, USA, between 2011 and 2014. Data included yields, N rates, and NRs for the farmer practice (FP), OS-based VRN, and OS-based VRN supplemented with other information. Production data were augmented with landscape, soils, and weather data, and ANOVA and logistic regressions were used to identify field conditions where VRN was profitable, provided risk management benefits, and improved N efficiency. Key findings indicate that NRs were improved with VRN by applying additional N on more erodible soils. Higher organic matter soils also benefited from VRN through enhanced yields and NRs. VRN may also have provided risk management benefits by providing a lower probability of NRs below NRs for the FP on soils associated with greater water-holding capacity, higher organic matter levels, or deeper profiles. Results from this study may help identify farm fields with similar characteristics for adoption of VRN management.
This study was conducted in Tennessee to (a) determine the profit‐maximizing planting dates for soybean maturity groups II‐V; and (b) assess the tradeoffs between risk and expected net returns due to planting date, maturity group, and crop insurance coverage level. Earn 0.5 CEUs in Crop Management by reading this article and completing the quiz at www.certifiedcropadviser.org/certifications/self‐study/743.
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