Cory Chelko, Product Development Specialist 39 Seeds Lane Jersey Shore, PA PSU B.S. Soil Science\Agronomy

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1 Pennsylvania Soybean Board Grant Final Report Document 2 Soybeans Gaining Ground in Northeast Pennsylvania TACTICS TO COMPLETE THE RESEARCH AS FOLLOW: Partners: Producers: Procedures: Pennsylvania Soybean Board Checkoff David T. Messersmith, PSU Extension Educator Wayne County 648 Park Street, Honesdale, PA Phone x 4110 dtm101@psu.edu Cory Chelko, Product Development Specialist 39 Seeds Lane Jersey Shore, PA cchelko@taseeds.com PSU B.S. Soil Science\Agronomy Matthew Shaffer Hamlin PA - Plot 2 Location Rt. 209 Milford, PA (Pike County), 200 acres Soybeans to increase in acres soybean planted in PA & NJ. Ben & Dave Nogan 53 Jermyn Farm Road, Scott Township PA ( Plot 1 location Lackawanna County) 3 years of soybean production 2013 avg yield 37 bu/ac, PSU- BS Animal Science; Marywood University BS Secondary Education/Graduate Studies Assess soil requirements to meet crop need and general soil health. Team Soil beds were prepared to best meet the needs of the soybean crop. Site selection was based on crop rotation. This component was critical in the decision making of the producers. The soils varied per site, all were conducive to soybean growth. Prepare site location to ensure a successful plant stand.

2 Custom rates will be considered when completing the final report for costs involved in the project. The following chart depicts the possibilities that will be used based on the actual plantings at each plot location. Soybean Planting Budget based on PA Custom Rates for Mountain Region All are on a per acre basis, this is for estimation purposes only actual costs may vary Activity No-Till Minimum Till Sprayer Herbicide $ $ - Glyphosate Material $ $ - Spread Dry Fertilizer $ $ Chisel $ - $ Disk and Harrow $ - $ Planting $ $ Sprayer Herbicide $ $ Glyphosate Material $ $ Combine $ $ Total $ $ Select Soybean variety best matched to local and producer s needs, determine seed count per acre and planting date - Chelko Planning for soybean production in Northeast PA, involves a wide range of agronomic considerations. By speaking with the producers to determine field selection and base fertility, possible varietals are narrowed down. Relative Maturity and plant type are also involved in the decision process. After selecting a varietal, the best growing practices are examined. This involves plant density, row spacing, fertilization needs, insect and disease susceptibilities; these characteristics are made aware in order to give the producer all the tools needed to grow an economically advantageous crop. Given the relatively cool wet springs that occur in northeast Pennsylvania, a base treatment of an insecticide/fungicide is highly recommended to allow for a successful even germination. With many fields have little to no history of soy production, a rhizobia inoculant is also recommended for effective colonization of nitrogen fixing bacteria. At this point, the producer has the information and inputs needed to start a fruitful crop; weather now plays the role of decision maker. Since soybean germination requires a

3 minimum soil temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit, cold rains can delay planting easily in the area. After planting, the producer should walk the field in order to observe germination and early growth to ensure that a replant is not needed. Planting - Plot 1 Nogan, Shaffer, Chelko Planters Name: David Nogan 127 Tompkinsville Rd Scott Township, Pa (Lackawanna County) Dave.Nogan@gmail.com The location and address of Soybean Test Plot 1: 53 Jermyn Farm Rd Scott Township, PA (10.8 acres) 444 Justus Blvd Scott Township, PA (9.7 acres) Type of soybeans were planted: TS1719R2 treated with CruiserMaxx Plus Seed count per acre: 160,000/acre Type of planter were the soybeans planted with: No till Grain Drill (7.5 rows) Depth of seeds planted: 2 Any fertilized added, if so with what and how much: None to date. Was the soybeans sprayed at all, if so with what and how much: One 4 acre piece of no till was sprayed with gramoxone a week before planting and we will go back and spray glyphosate when the beans are about 8 inches tall. Germination period of the soybeans: 5 days Yield 31 bu per acre Plot 2 Planters Name: Mathew Shaffer 788 Hamlin Hwy. Lake Ariel PA Olli770@yahoo.com

4 The location and address of Soybean Test Plot 2: Rt. 209 Milford, PA (Pike County) Type of soybeans were planted: Pioneer 93Y-84 Seed count per acre: 140,000/acre Type of planter were the soybeans planted with: No till Grain Drill Depth seeds planted at: 1 ¼ - 1 ½ Any fertilized added, if so with what and how much: 0055 Sulfur 3 gal. Per acre on the seed. Was the soybeans sprayed at all, if so with what and how much: Glitisate, and Dull Yield 60 bu. Per acre Monitor Field Tracts Monitor emergence and record stand counts after planting Messersmith One of the overriding barriers to expanding soybean production in Northeastern Pennsylvania is the lack of grain harvesting, storing and marketing infrastructure. The region has traditionally been a forage based agricultural system with very little grain production. While this trend is starting to change, growers who wish to enter soybean production must first arrange for combining, grain handling and trucking. There are a handful of combines in the region that are being used but more are needed to ensure timely, efficient harvest. The lack of grain handling and storage facilities mean that beans are generally trucked directly from the field to mills 100+ miles away in central and southeastern PA. We believe that these infrastructures and services will begin to be offered locally as soybean acreage increases, but until that occurs it remains a major barrier for northeastern PA growers. Site Assessments: Plot 1 Nogan Location 1: Jermyn Farm Rd Scott Township (10.8 acres) July 1, 2014 Plant Stage: 1-2 trifoliate leaves Plant Population: 141,000 plants per acre. Drilled beans. Field Notes: Some variability in the stand, possibly due to field conditions (stones/rocks). Nodulation was good. Extensive deer damage noted. Approximately 70-80% of the plants had been browsed. Location 2: Justus Blvd Scott Township (9.7 acres) Plant Stage: 2 trifoliate leaves Plant Population: 134,000 plants per acre. Drilled beans.

5 Plot 2 Shaffer Field Notes: Consistent stand. No deer damage noted. Heavy population of ragweed, grower was planning to spray with Roundup within the next few days. Nodulation was excellent. Milford PA (390 acres total) July 25, 2014 Plant Stage: R1 Plant Population: 91,000 plants per acre. 30 rows. Field Notes: Population not as high as planned due to a planter issue. There was one row that was consistently lower in population than the rest. Weed control was excellent. Nodulation was excellent. Monitor plant growth throughout the growing season Messersmith Monitor grain moisture prior to harvest - Messersmith Measure harvest losses during and/or after harvest - Messersmith Harvest Determine Yields and direct economic return Chelko Soil Analysis of fertility to determine benefits from Soybean production - Chelko Prepare Research Reports TA Seeds - Chelko, CBE -Nogan, PSU - Messersmith Field Day Event Map 1: Promote a field day at both sites so that local producers can learn the basics of growing soybeans and gain confidence in the potential of soybeans on their operation Messersmith, Nogan, Chelko The date selected for the field day event is established as Sept 10 th, 2014 and will be held in Lackawanna County. Prepare promotional materials Schedule Speakers Survey attendees to find impediments impacting NE producers interested in incorporating soybean production in crop rotation.

6 Soybeans Yield Per Harvested Acre by County for Selected States. Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service Additional Comments: It has been found that crop insurance for soybeans is not available through RCIS. This project may help to establish a yield base for crops grown in this area.

7 Ann Nogan Executive Director PA Center for Beef Excellence 2301 N. Cameron St.Rm 303 Harrisburg, PA T anogancbe@gmail.com The PA Center for Beef Excellence, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Provider 2014 PA Soybean Board Grant Final Report Soybeans Gaining Ground in Northeast Pennsylvania Through the Pennsylvania Soybean Board Checkoff Research Grant and partnerships with Penn State University and T.A. Seeds, Inc., the Pennsylvania Center for Beef Excellence (CBE) Soybeans Gaining Ground in Northeast Pennsylvania project shows that with proper management Northeast Pennsylvania soils and climate are capable of generating an economically viable soybean crop. Documentation of the planting and harvest methods utilized to generate the soybean crop show that soybeans can be grown in the moderate temperatures and soils of NE Pennsylvania and expand the soybean acres planted, increasing soybean production and expanding soybean markets. Soybean crop growth in the Northern Tier of PA has great potential to be an alternative crop for both grain and livestock producers. In the opinion of several involved on this project as well as extension and local personnel the largest obstacle to the success and future of soy in the region is knowledge and experience. As seen by this USDA Survey Map, YI13 RGBChor.pdf, The region is capable of rivaling areas of the Midwest for yield per acre. However, the survey also concludes that very few acres are devoted to soy production in the region, PL13 RGBChor.pdf. Two producers aimed to start to buck this trend and had limited successes but experience was gained. Both farms were able to be profitable after accounting for all costs not limited to seedbed preparation, seed costs, various agrichemicals and fertilizers, planting and harvesting equipment and labor. Factors that are influencing the decision to plant soybeans again include grain prices, harvesting abilities, deer and pest control, harvesting ability, rotational benefit, and on farm feed needs. One of the most beneficial outcomes of this event was in local producer outreach. A field day was hosted at site locations where producers were able to have a roundtable discussion with several knowledgeable growers and extension personnel. Every attendee was able to take applicable knowledge back to their operation to improve or begin soy production.

8 Soybeans Gaining Ground in Northeast Pa FARMING NEWS xxx xxxxxxxxx Soybeans are great to have as a cash crop with rotational benefits. - Matt Shaffer, Hamlin PA Project funded by a Pennsylvania Soybean Board Grant

9 Are YOU Interested in growing soybeans in NEPA? FARMING NEWS xxx xxxxxxxxx Soybeans are great to have as a cash crop with rotational benefits. - Matt Shaffer, Hamlin PA 49 Bushels per acre was the 2014 PA state average yield. $539 average net income per acre based on an $11 per bushel harvest at elevator. Research and Education Sponsored By: $150 per acre rotational health benefit and next crop nitrogen protection.