Plant Breeding, Grower Efforts Boosting Ontario Soybean Yields

OMAFRA’s Horst Bohner predicts this year’s overall provincial soybean yield will be one of the highest on record.

That’s despite what he calls a challenging growing season – including delayed planting and a late harvest.

Bohner says yields reported to AgriCorp so far show the provincial average will be about 46 bushels an acre.

Ontario first hit 1 million acres of soybeans in 1984, with the five-year average yield at 34 bushels an acre.

This year – 2014 – is the first time Ontario grew 3 million acres of soybeans, and the 5 year average yield after this season is expected to be over 46 bushels an acre.

Bohner says better genetic yield potential from plant breeding has made a big difference.

But he also argues growers should get full credit for their efforts to get the most out of seed yield potential.