As we enter the soybean reproductive growth phase there are a few things to keep in mind. The first is that soybeans will produce flowers for around 3 to 5 weeks, depending upon planting date and environment.

Soybean acres continue to grow and that means that we will likely have more acres of soybeans planted into virgin soils, where there has been no recent history of soybeans.

This is the third year of the past four that wet soil conditions have forced many producers to make a decision to seed or not seed a crop when it is well beyond the optimal planting time. The question is whether to plant the crop and accept the risk of lower yields and reduced crop insurance coverage, or to collect a prevented-planting crop insurance indemnity payment and idle the ground, says Andrew Swenson, farm and family financial specialist with the North Dakota State University Extension Service.

As soybean planting wraps up, it's time to consider evaluating soybean stands. Planting conditions were not always ideal this year. Soil conditions were a little wet when planting started and now have turned fairly dry in most areas. Here are some points to keep in mind when evaluating soybean stand.

Corn planted in early May under "less than ideal conditions" or pounded by rain is just coming up. There are undoubtedly some questionable stands, but what can be done at this late date?

Northern growers continue to get hammered for the second year with awful planting weather.

The comfort zone for most strip-tillers tends to be 30-inch rows. It offers ample space for corn to emerge and equipment setup and maintenance is easier.

A move to strip-tilling corn with a homemade unit was an efficient path to consistent yields for Illinois farmer Charlie Durdan.

Avon, Ohio strip-tiller Larry Krystowski shares his approach to successfully strip-tilling corn in twin rows and how it's allowed him to push corn planting populations to 45,000 seeds per acre, while maintaining yields near 200 bushels per acre.

Once they commit to the investment, strip-tillers often find that managing planting populations on the go can cut seed costs and maximize yield potential.