As you plan for the 2027 season, one of the best places to start is by looking at what happened in 2026. Decisions about when to plant soybeans, which varieties to plant in each field and how to manage fertility and pests can all benefit from lessons learned during the previous season.
Rather than treating those decisions as separate parts of a soybean production guide, use field observations from 2026 to build a more flexible plan for 2027.
The best time to do that? From the combine.
That’s the prime time to review variety performance, soil fertility, weed control and pest pressure while the season is still fresh.
Match soybean varieties to the right acres
A variety that performs well on one field may not be the best fit for another.
“Some varieties do really well on one soil, but they’re not as good on another,” says Jared Roskamp, BASF Technical Service Representative. “As you go through the field and compare some of the products you’ve tried, evaluate which ones are more consistent and which ones are doing the job for you.”
Those observations can guide variety placement and population decisions for 2027. Variety selection is not just about choosing the highest-yielding soybean; it’s more about matching the right variety to the right acre.
Start fertility planning with soil pH
Post-harvest soil testing can also help you decide where fertilizer dollars will have the most impact.
“The first thing we want to look at is soil pH. The pH of your soil changes the availability of specific nutrients in the soil profile,” says Roskamp. A soil test may show adequate phosphorus or micronutrients, but those nutrients may be less available to the crop if soil pH is outside the proper range.1
Variable-rate lime applications across a field can correct low-pH areas without applying lime where it isn’t needed. “Variable-rate technology has paid the most when it comes to managing pH,” Roskamp says. “It helps us spread our costs more effectively across the field while unlocking fertilizer we’ve already paid for.”
For major nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium and sulfur, fall and spring applications remain important. More intensive soil sampling can also support more precise variable-rate fertilizer applications across the field.
Manage weeds, diseases and pests before they get ahead of you
A wet, cool spring in 2026 slowed canopy development in some areas, giving weeds more time to compete and putting added pressure on residual herbicides. Heavy rainfall also challenged residual activity.2
That reinforced a familiar lesson: It is usually easier to prevent weeds from emerging than to remove them after they are established. Review where residual programs held, where escapes occurred and whether application timing needs to change in 2027.
Disease and insect pressure varied by region. Some areas with cool, wet springs saw greater white mold risk,3 while others dealt with bean leaf beetles, aphids or corn earworm. Pressure can change quickly depending on moisture, temperature and winter conditions.
Use field history, weather conditions and regular scouting to identify where risk is building.
Let weather change the plan, not dictate it
Weather is often the most unpredictable factor when farming, but growers can still plan for the risks it creates.
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center expects a strong El Niño to influence weather through the 2026–27 winter. Seasonal outlooks favor warmer-than-normal temperatures across parts of the U.S., while precipitation will vary by region.4 Depending on how those conditions develop, some areas may see earlier winter annual weed growth or greater survival of certain insect pests.
Other areas may face different conditions, so flexibility matters. Planting decisions should depend on soil conditions and near-term weather, rather than a calendar date.5
Forecasting tools can help flag periods of higher risk, but they should support field scouting rather than replace it. Knowing the field, variety and crop stage remains important for timely decisions.
The goal is not to rebuild the entire soybean production plan every year. Keep what worked, identify areas that need improvement and make targeted changes for 2027. Small adjustments made year after year can help protect more bushels over time.
Experts are available to help you make your soybean planting decisions. Reach out to your seed retailer, a nearby extension office agent or a seed company professional like your regional BASF representative.
________________________________________________
Endnotes
- Kaiser, Dan. “Soil Test pH and Liming: Common Questions and Answers.” Minnesota Crop News, University of Minnesota Extension, 14 Mar. 2024,https://blog-crop-news.extension.umn.edu/2024/03/soil-test-ph-and-liming-common.html.
- Houser, Doug, Matt Darr, and Ryan Huffman. “Precision Spraying Technology.” Integrated Crop Management, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, 22 Aug. 2024,https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/cropnews/2024/08/precision-spraying-technology.
- Malvick, Dean. “Sclerotinia Stem Rot (White Mold) on Soybean.” University of Minnesota Extension, reviewed 2018,https://extension.umn.edu/agriculture/crop-production/soybean/sclerotinia-stem-rot-white-mold-on-soybean.
- National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center. “Prognostic Discussion for Long-Lead Seasonal Outlooks.” National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 20 Aug. 2026,https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/90day/fxus05.html.
- Naeve, Seth L. “Soybean Planting Basics.” University of Minnesota Extension, reviewed 2018,https://extension.umn.edu/agriculture/crop-production/soybean/soybean-planting-basics.
