Category: Michael Plumblee

Each year we conduct multiple irrigated and non-irrigated corn hybrid trials across South Carolina to evaluate hybrid performance, working with seed companies to demonstrate hybrid performance of germplasm that is being sold commercially. In this non-bias, cross-company trial, you will find data that can help make seed ordering decisions for 2026. I encourage farmers to […]

To date, no soybean rust has been found in South Carolina. Regular samplings are being conducted across the state by agronomic agents, led by Jonathan Croft and funded by the SC Soybean Board. Jonathan sends out updates regularly through email with updates if rust is found, contact him if you wish to be on that […]

With corn harvest now in full swing across the state, we have been getting a few calls regarding grain moisture and putting grain in the bin at a safe moisture level. Generally, we like to see corn harvested at higher moisture contents to reduce in-field losses and combine losses (18-20%) compared to dry corn (15.5% […]

There has been a lot of interest in SC over the past few years in double-cropping soybeans behind corn. The main question that I hear is, “What is the last day I can plant soybeans and make a crop?” Since 2022, we have been researching this system with the hope of helping answer some of […]

The majority of the soybean crop, planted early or late, is beginning to bloom or is now setting pods. This is the appropriate time in the growing season for growers to make a decision on spraying a fungicide on soybeans.  The common questions are when to spray, what to spray, and whether it will be […]

Corn harvest is beginning in the coastal plain as of this week. A reminder that following harvest is a great time to pull fall nematode samples to use in combination with our fall threshold values to know how to manage the crop in 2026. We are providing nematode samples for free courtesy of the SC […]

Due to the favorable weather conditions we had in March of this year, the majority of our corn crop was planted “earlier” than in the past several years. Along with the earlier planting dates, favorable growing conditions and heat, some fields are approaching physiological maturity and beginning dry down. When corn reaches the R6 reproductive […]

With erratic rainfall this summer, our soybean planting window has been extended into July in places across the state, especially if following small grain. Over the last three years, Clemson has conducted several research trials evaluating ultra-late planted soybeans, double-cropped behind corn. I have compiled a table below that highlights some of the research findings […]

Soybean bloom (R1-R2 growth stages) marks a critical transition from vegetative to reproductive growth, requiring careful management to maximize yield potential. In South Carolina’s hot and often humid climate, timely decisions during and after bloom significantly impact pod set, seed fill, and final yield. As of now (7/2), the majority of our soybean crop is […]

As we move into July, the earliest corn will begin to reach maturity within 4-6 weeks. For irrigated corn, the question of when to quit irrigating always comes to mind. We want to maximize yield and water use efficiency, thus not irrigating any more than we have to in order to finish out the crop. […]