Wet weather across North Carolina delayed soybean planting into July and forced some growers to replant. Many now ask how to best manage late-planted soybeans. Find data-driven tips for maximizing late soybean planting below.

Maturity group: North Carolina data generally shows soybean maturity groups 5-7 work best for mid-July planting. Use BeanPACK to hone in on best maturity group for your region at late planting dates. 

Seeding rate: Recent North Carolina data show July planting needs seeding rates over 160,000 seeds per acre to maximize yield. 

Insights from South Carolina: Recent graduate Dr. Bennett Harrelson and his advisor Dr. Michael Plumblee

agronomic factors in July-planted soybeans. They found nitrogen fertility at planting did not affect plant height or yield, later-maturing varieties (especially indeterminate maturity group 5) worked best, and the optimum seeding rate landed around 150,000 seeds per acre for late planting.

Use these data-backed insights to guide late-season agronomic decisions.

Written by Rachel Vann and Michael Plumblee