Part 1, Section 6: Soybean
Soybean
ESTABLISHMENT
Forage production
Interest in using soybean for supplemental forage has increased over the past few years. USDA/ARS recently has released several varieties that were developed for forage production. Donegal is the variety suggested for most of Pennsylvania. Forage varieties are late maturing and can not be grown for seed. Late-maturing nonforage varieties also can be used for forage. The following are suggestions for growing soybean for forage:
- Seeding date: Early May to mid-July
- Seeding rate: 200,000 to 225,000 seeds per acre
- Row spacing: 7 to 30 inches; wider spacing can be used if planting in early May
- Seeding depth: 1 to 1.5 inches
- Fertilizer: Follow the soil test recommendations for soybean harvested for grain
- Herbicide use: Check the herbicide label for any restrictions on feeding to livestock
- Harvest date: Harvest during seed fill and before leaf drop. Moisture will be between 70 and 75%.
In most cases, forage soybean is used as a supplemental forage and planted following winter grain harvest. Soybean also has been planted, following first cut, in old alfalfa stands that will be rotated the following year.