Broadcasting Beans

Broadcasting beans CROPS New Techniques 13-3-11 If broadcast seeding works for oats and other small grains, then why won't it work for soybeans? That's a question Mark Kunkle, Peru, Ind., asked himself several years ago before he began broadcasting soybeans with a truckmounted fertilizer spreader. He cut costs and got as good or better yields, according to a report by Clair Urbain in Farm Journal. He first works the ground and then surface-applies his herbicides before broad-casting an average of about 90 lbs. of seed per acre (about 220,000 seeds). He incorporates the herbicide and seed at the same time with a field cultivator andc ultipacker. Most seed ends up 1 3/4 in. to 2 in. deep but some ends up on the surface and some is buried deeper. He broadcasts seed at speeds up to 10 mph. One advantage of using the 200-bu. spreader is that he can buy seed in bulk, saving 30 to 50 cents per bu. He notes that it's important to use a spreader with infinitely variable spreading adjustment and to get the beans worked into the soil as soon as possible. He also says combining is easier with broadcast beans because if they're lodged he can cut in any direction. Contact FARM SHOW Followup, Mark Kunkle, Rt. 5, Peru, Ind. 46970 (ph 317 473-9655).

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