It has been a smooth fall across most of Iowa, with combines running steadily and fields opening up early. Harvest went about as well as anyone could hope for, but that does not mean the season was without its challenges. Disease pressure was the bigger story in 2025, especially with southern rust making one of its rare appearances across the state. Even so, farmers are already turning their attention to what they can do now to set up stronger soybeans for 2026, and residue management is near the top of that list.
In east central Iowa, DEKALB/ASGROW technical agronomist Lance Goettsch says the theme of this past season has been familiar. While yields were solid, emergence consistency in soybeans varied from one field to the next, and much of that variation was attributed to residue.
Goettsch says when corn residue isn’t broken down properly or seed placement falls right into those old stalk rows, the soybeans have a tough time getting out of the ground evenly. That delay, he says, can carry through the entire growing season and quietly cut into yield.
He adds that while tillage is one of the easiest tools for managing residue, not every farm has the same approach. In no-till or reduced-till operations, residue management often means making small adjustments, like planting angle or row spacing, to keep the planter from hairpinning residue and pushing seed into debris instead of soil.
Goettsch says the goal is simple: ensure every seed has solid contact with the soil so it can take up moisture evenly and start growing on time. That even emergence, especially in soybeans, sets the stage for more uniform nodulation, pod set, and harvest timing later on.
He also points out that fall is the best time to make a plan, since residue is still visible and farmers can see the results of this year’s tillage or residue-sizing decisions right in front of them.
“Now’s the time to walk those fields,” Goettsch says. “You can tell exactly where that residue piled up or where planter depth might have struggled. Making small changes now can save a lot of headaches once you get back in the tractor next spring.”
As 2026 planning gets underway, Goettsch says simple steps like fall tillage, proper residue sizing, and double-checking planting angles can make the difference between a stand that struggles and one that starts strong. He encourages farmers to take what they learned this season and put it to work early, while those lessons are still fresh in their minds.
