Early planting into a fit seedbed is a great way to boost soybeans yields. In 2008, though, the key words -- fit seedbed -- often didn't apply. There's a fine line between fit seedbeds and lost planting days. Miss a planting window with borderline soil conditions in a spring like 2008 and another week may pass before you can do fieldwork.

Bumper soybean yields start with preseason planning like sound variety selection, targeted early planting dates, diversified maturities, and seed protection. Here are four ideas to help you get a jump start on higher yields for 2009.

Anytime the same control method repeatedly targets a pest, resistance inevitably results. In this case, the culprit is PI 88788, the source of soybean cyst nematode resistance for over 95% of soybean varieties. Over time, SCN has adapted to this resistance source.

Soybean variety selection keys maximum yield and profit. "It's like building a house. If the foundation is cracked, the whole building can fall down," Iowa State University Extension agronomist Palle Pedersen explains.

Think you can't lose money in these days of double-digit soybean prices? From a pest management standpoint, higher prices and spiraling input costs make it easier than you'd think. Avoiding these four mistakes will help you pocket the profit potential that 2008 packs.

With such a hot soybean market these days, plowing up sod or CRP ground may be a more common sight as farmers look to plant more beans. Is planting soybeans after sod a wise decision? Some farmers say the ground could yield a great crop, but others say it will require a lot of inputs to get the crop started. Is it worth it? Join the discussion to add your two cents' worth.

Lyons, Nebraska, soybean farmer, United Soybean Board director and High Yield Team adviser Chuck Myers talks with Agriculture Online about the acreage shift away from soybeans and how it's affecting the marketplace.

In High Yield Team member Gary Robbins' case, attaining higher soybean yields boils down to close attention to a few landscape characteristics unique to his area. At his farm, the rolling hills' soil chemistry can sometimes present a challenge.

Excellent weather last year in many areas keyed bin-busting soybean yields. However, a number of production tactics also worked with the weather to boost yields. Five High Yield Team members sum up some of what they learned during 2006.

Kip Cullers is the Missouri farmer who gained fame last fall when he broke the world soybean yield record with a verified yield of 139 bushels per acre. There's one certainty about Cullers: He's obsessed with the challenge of pushing yields to the outer limits.

What do you know about beans? Take this fun and informative quiz, which was created with help from the High Yield Team experts. Get instant feedback and practical info you can take to the field.

We're partnering with some of the world's leading soybean experts -- researchers, agronomists, consultants, and top farmers. Learn a little about the people who will work with you to get the most from your soybean crop.

The High Yield Team is managed by the editors of Successful Farming and Agriculture Online. It is sponsored by Roundup Ready 2 Yield branded soybean traits. See how some farmers are putting Roundup Ready 2 Yield to work in their fields and learn how it's worked for them.

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