Evaluation of Soybean Yield and Stand Counts in Response to Rolling
Agronomy & Pest Management
Lee Beers
Assistant Professor, Extension Educator
Ohio State University
Cortland
Abstract
The adoption of large land rollers in agronomic crop production has increased in the Midwest over the last decade, especially in soybean fields. Rollers are used to push field debris into the soil, improve seed to soil contact, and to promote residue decomposition. It has been speculated that rolling soybeans after emergence may promote axillary bud development, which may lead to changes in plant stature and yield. To evaluate the yield response and stand counts in Ohio fields, we conducted on-farm research over three trial years. Research plots used a randomized strip design with three treatments replicated three times each year. Treatments included non-rolled controls, rolling after planting but before plant emergence, and rolling strips at V1 growth stage. Stand counts were assessed approximately four weeks after rolling. Yield data was collected using weights on a certified scale and moisture corrected to 13%. Yield and stand counts were compared using ANOVA. Results in each of the three years of trials indicated no significant yield response or in stand counts following rolling. In the 2024 trial, we also evaluated harvest efficiency. No field stoppages occurred in the rolled treatments, but stoppage occurred every 1.125 acres on average in the non-rolled controlled strips to clear debris from the combine header. Rolling soybeans is estimated to cost approximately $8.40/acre based on the 2024 Iowa Custom Rate Survey. To recover land rolling costs, a yield benefit of 0.80bu/acre or greater would have to be realized assuming a soybean price of $10.50/bu. This study did not support an economic return with the practice of rolling soybeans, but in rocky field conditions harvest efficiency may play a considerable role in economic value. This presentation will discuss the agronomic and soil health tradeoffs of rolling soybeans that clientele should consider before adopting this emerging practice.
Authors: Lee Beers
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Lee Beers Assistant Professor, Extension Educator, The Ohio State University, Ohio, 44410-1455