Forage soybean emerges as promising summer choice for Missouri
Published 12:30 am Saturday, June 6, 2026
Livestock producers across Missouri continue to face rising feed costs, unpredictable weather and seasonal forage shortages during the summer.
A recent study led by University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist Rudra Baral found that forage soybean shows promise for bridging the summer forage gap.
Baral’s research shows that forage soybean can deliver high forage biomass, strong forage quality, good water use efficiency and a positive economic return under rain-fed conditions.
It can be used as grazing, hay, green chop or silage, and it also may complement sorghum-Sudangrass or pearl millet in forage rotations.
“Because it fixes nitrogen and performs well in rain-fed systems, it offers producers both agronomic and economic advantages,” Baral said.
The best planting window in Missouri is mid-May to late June, with mid-May offering the strongest yield potential. Recommended seeding rates are about 50 to 60 pounds per acre, with planting depth near 1 inch. Narrow rows improve forage yield and stem digestibility, and the crop is best adapted to well-drained soils with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0, according to Baral’s research.
“The crop is attractive not only for yield but also for feed value,” Baral said.
Crude protein stayed relatively stable at about 19% to 21% from V3 to R3, while late planting improved forage quality by reducing fiber and lignin and increasing digestibility. Researchers noted that forage soybean biomass was almost double under optimum planting compared with late planting.
“For Missouri, that makes forage soybean a strong candidate for bridging the summer forage gap, especially in double-crop systems after wheat harvest,” Baral said.
Harvest timing depends on the goal.
For maximum biomass, harvest around the R3 state, which is beginning pod formation. Earlier harvest tends to improve forage quality, while later harvest increases yield but can make stems coarser. For grazing, forage soybean is best used from the vegetative to early reproductive stages and should be considered a one-time or limited-grazing crop because regrowth after heavy grazing is poor to moderate.
Pollinator gardens
Planting native flowers in a backyard, patio container or community garden can provide critical food and habitat for butterflies, bees and other pollinators.
This June, in recognition of National Pollinator Month, University of Illinois Extension encourages community members to create pollinator gardens at home to support the vital role insects and other wildlife play in the environment.
More than 150 crops rely on pollinators to produce one-third of the U.S. food supply, directly and indirectly. Beyond agriculture, other species depend on pollinators for well-pollinated plants to bear fruit, nuts and seeds on a scale that sustains ecosystems and biodiversity.
Flies, bees, moths, beetles, wasps and butterflies are among the pollinators experiencing population declines due to habitat loss and reduced pollen and nectar sources. Growing a pollinator garden with flowering plants is one simple way Illinois residents can make a meaningful environmental impact at home.
“People want simple ways to support pollinators at home,” said Jamie Viebach, Extension horticulture educator. “Learning more about pollinators helps them understand what is needed to encourage them to visit our yards.”
Residents can explore Extension’s Illinois Pollinator tool, available at go.illinois.edu/IllinoisPollinators, for expert recommendations on plants for pollinator gardens, design tips, community science opportunities and additional resources to support pollinator habitats.
