2025 AGRONOMIC PLOT RESULTS
SOYBEANS
CORN
Residue Management
Residue management products have low use rates, low cost, no unpleasant odor, and good flowability and mixing. Products can be applied in the fall along with a burndown or fall residual herbicide, such as Valor®. Residue managers can also be applied in the early spring, but fall-applied showed the greatest increase in yield. Potassium is a critical nutrient for overall nutrient transport in the soybean crop, especially for water balance and nutrient flow for seed fill.
The most striking result from the plots was the effect found on the structure of the soil in treated versus untreated plots. The soil from treated plots had greatly improved texture and crumbled easily. Soil in untreated plots remained bulky and blocky. Improved soil structure means improved biological activity, water holding and water movement capabilities of the soil, resulting in positive effects on plant growth and yield.
Starter Fertilizer
Starter alone provides a tremendous boost to corn development, helping establish sound, strong plants. The 2025 results continue to show value, even in a wetter year. A solid starter fertilizer program with additives improves stand and promotes rapid, even emergence, which is the key to maximum yields.
Even in times of tight margins, starter fertilizer in soybeans should become standard practice in the Northern Plains. The boost from starters has proven to be key in getting an early boost to soybean development.
The effects of each component added in the trials appear to be synergistic. A starter plus an acid-based additive like ARx Sync™ is a base program, but the effect of adding a PGR and a biological or enzyme additive like Ascend2® and Foster® FC appears very solid.
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2025 Proven Recommendations | Corn
1. Start with a diverse group of proven, high-yielding hybrids for your area.
2. Be sure to include the insecticide traits needed for best agronomic performance in your geography, and consider the need for an in-furrow insecticide to boost performance if corn rootworm pressure is severe.
3. Fertilize for your yield goal!
4. Add nutrient availability additives to nitrogen fertilizer to reduce nitrogen losses from volatility.
5. Use a high-quality talc/graphite seed fluency product that contains nutrients needed for germination.
6. At planting, use a high-quality starter fertilizer with added macro- and micronutrients.
7. In the starter tank, add ARx Sync™ to boost root growth and ensure starter nutrients remain available for the growing seedlings.
8. PGRs improve emergence and uniformity, promote robust root systems, and ensure rapid shoot and leaf growth.
9. Consider a multi-nutrient biological product in the starter.
10. Apply fungicides, foliar nutrition, and micronutrients to the crop to maintain and boost yield.
11. Consider using a foliar fungicide at VT (tassel) to aid in controlling new diseases.
12. Consider the new class of stress-reduction products, which can be applied in-furrow or foliar with herbicide or fungicide applications.
2025 Key Facts to Consider | Soybeans
1. Apply basic crop nutrition — especially phosphate and potassium — every season.
2. Work with your local agronomist to choose seed varieties that fit the agronomic profile for yield potential in your area.
3. Seed treatments are the number one crop protection additive to boost soybean yields.
4. Inoculate every soybean, every year.
5. Apply a starter fertilizer! Early plant establishment and root development are critical to soybean performance later in the season.
6. Apply foliar nutrition and micronutrients to the crop to maintain and boost yield.
7. Consider a stress management product or a PGR application.
8. Manage white mold. Consider the application of a fungicide for white mold at the R2 and again at the R3-R4 growth stage.