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NEW FORAGE SOYBEANS AVAILABLE

AUBURN, APRIL 28, 2000--- When soybeans were first introduced into North America, they were grown mainly
for forage production. In fact, this was the case well into the 20th century. In 1924, there were more than a million acres of soybeans grown for hay in the United States. In the latter half of the century, soybeans became a popular seed crop and its use for forage became a rarity. 

There recently has been a new development that promises to increase the acreage of soybeans grown for forage purposes, says Dr. Don Ball, Extension agronomist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. 

Dr. Tom Devine, a plant geneticist in Beltsville, Maryland, has released three new forage soybean varieties. These new varieties are not viny like the old hay-type varieties, but grow upright with an appearance similar to seed-type soybean varieties. The new varieties are called "Derry," "Donegal," and "Tyrone." Tyrone, a group VII variety  is best suited for use in Alabama. 

These new forage soybeans were selected primarily on forage yield, and have performed well in tests in 19 states,
says Ball. 

"In a planting at the Upper Coastal Plain Substation at Winfield, Ala., the varieties produced 5.1 tons of dry matter per acre," Ball says. Yields have sometimes exceeded 6 tons per acre in other states where tests were conducted."

The new varieties are resistant to certain common soybean diseases, such as Phytophthora, and can grow more than 6 feet tall. 

There are several reasons the new varieties may appeal to Alabama producers as a summer hay or silage crop. There is a wide window of opportunity for establishing soybeans, as the planting date can range from early May until mid-June or later. This encourages soybean establishment by producers who are busy with other activities or who don't decide until late spring that they need some additional acreage of a summer annual forage crop.

These soybean crops need to be fertilized with adequate quantities of phosphorus and potassium. The requirements
for these nutrients are not especially high as compared to other summer hay crops. Soil pH should range from 5.8
to 6.5. 

If soybeans are harvested in a way and at a time that allows leaf retention, the forage quality is good, with dry matter digestibility and crude protein content often around 60 percent and 18 percent, respectively. Without question, many Alabama livestock producers could put silage or hay of such quality to good use in meeting the nutritional needs of their livestock, Ball says. 

There is also a wide window of opportunity for harvesting. Soybeans should be cut for hay or silage somewhere between the time the pods are about half filled and when leaves begin to yellow and drop. This will likely be late August or early September in Alabama, a time when you can find a suitable period of weather for safely harvesting the crop. 

Ball says there are a couple of disadvantages to growing these new varieties. Deer like the crop, so it may be difficult to produce a good forage yield in areas where deer populations are high, especially in a small field located near woods. 

It is also a relatively shallow-rooted crop, so dry weather can seriously reduce forage yields. Soybeans don't make a tight bale, so soybean hay should be stored under a shelter. 

Ball says forage soybeans aren't for everyone, but the development of these new forage varieties could be beneficial to some Alabama forage-livestock producers. Limited quantities of seed for these varieties should be available this spring. 

SOURCE: DR. DON BALL, Extension Agronomist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, (334) 844-5491.