Looking for variety plot data? The OCC have published the 2025 soybean plots on https://soybean.gocrops.ca/
Find your maturity and if you are looking for traited or IP beans.
In recent years seed inoculation has been low because we grow soybeans in frequent rotation. “I don’t need it, I grow lots of beans” is a common mantra. The inoculation business has changed with new formulations, and the push for higher soybean yields has made us revisit the generally accepted norm. The last two years near Dresden we have been able to produce a favourable ROI. We would be the first to admit biologicals can be inconsistent, so the results may not occur every year. It seems ironic that a seed company would recommend an additional treatment. However, with multiple replications at a location, multiple sites over years and consultations with industry experts, it really does seem the industry has improved seed treatment products. Below is a snapshot of what we learned:
Optimize® FXC DS
What it is: A next-generation liquid inoculant for soybeans that combines dual-strain Bradyrhizobium japonicum with LCO Promoter Technology.
How it works: The dual strains give more consistent nitrogen fixation across variable soil conditions. LCO (lipo-chitooligosaccharide) signaling accelerates the nodulation conversation between plant and rhizobia — meaning nodules start earlier, potentially giving the plant a better early N-fixing advantage. Also helps stimulate mycorrhizal colonization, which can boost nutrient and water uptake.
Strengths / claimed benefits:
Faster root and shoot growth, more vigorous early plants. More consistent performance in “challenging conditions” (soil, temperature, stress) because of the dual-strain + LCO.
When especially useful: According to the label, in fields where rhizobia populations may be low (e.g., after long breaks from soybean, or where stress may have reduced native rhizobia), or as part of a “double inoculation” system.
—
LALFIX® ProYield Liquid Soybean
What it is: A premium liquid inoculant containing two strains of Bradyrhizobium elkanii plus Delftia acidovorans.
How it works: The dual B. elkanii strains are selected for higher survival and stronger competitiveness, which can help nodulation under more challenging conditions. Delftia acidovorans offers additional benefits: it promotes more complex root development, helps solubilize iron (making it more available to the plant), improves nutrient and water uptake, and suppresses some competing soil microbes.
Performance claims:
Higher nodule count (especially laterals/crown) and more distributed nodulation.
Enhanced early vigor through root mass increase.
Stress resilience: The Delftia component helps with nutrient (iron, sulfur) availability and helps the rhizobia compete in the rhizosphere.
Our Data
AVG of 1-4 bushel/acre should provide ROI.
Why Soil / Growing Stress Lowers Nodulation — And Why Dual Inoculants Help
Stress factors that hurt nodulation:
Here are common soil and growth stresses that reduce the effectiveness or survival of rhizobia, thereby hurting nodulation:
Soil pH: Very acidic soils (pH < ~6) are less hospitable to rhizobia and can reduce nitrogen fixation.
High soil nitrogen (nitrate / ammonium): If there’s a lot of “free” inorganic N, the plant may suppress nodulation because it doesn’t need to rely on rhizobia.
Temperature extremes: Cool soils (early season) slow down nodule formation; very hot soils + drought can desiccate rhizobia.
Moisture stress: Both drought and waterlogging are damaging — drought can desiccate rhizobia; flooding can create low-oxygen conditions that kill them.
Texture / soil type: Sandy soils are more prone to drying, which hurts rhizobia survival. Also, lower organic matter soils may carry fewer indigenous rhizobia.
Compaction: Poor soil structure can limit root growth and reduce infection sites.
Low phosphorus: P is important for energy (ATP) in nodulation; low P can limit nodulation.
Why inoculation (especially dual / improved) can mitigate stress
Dual-strain or enhanced inoculant products like the two above help in several ways when soil or growing conditions are stressful:
Redundancy and strain competition: Two effective strains (e.g., in Optimize FXC DS or LALFIX ProYield) increase the chances that at least one strain will survive and infect, even if one strain is less competitive, or if native rhizobia or soil microbes compete. In LALFIX ProYield, the dual B. elkanii strains are chosen for survival / competitiveness, meaning they’re more likely to form nodules even when native populations are poor or competing.
Faster / earlier nodulation: In Optimize FXC DS, the LCO “signal” jump-starts communication between the plant and rhizobia, so nodulation begins earlier, which can be very helpful in short or stressful growing windows. Earlier nodulation means nitrogen fixation can begin sooner, supporting early plant growth and giving a buffer if stress hits later.
Improved root system and microbial synergy: The Delftia acidovorans in ProYield helps build a more complex, branched root system, which increases the infection sites for rhizobia. Delftia also helps with iron solubilization (iron is vital for nitrogenase, the enzyme rhizobia use to fix N), which can be limiting in some soils. In Optimize FXC DS, LCO also promotes mycorrhizal associations, which not only help water/nutrient uptake but also may help rhizobia colonization via improved root health.
The grain markets have been on edge because of the government shutdown and uncertainty with trade. Today at noon the USDA will be releasing a fall report with estimated grain yield averages, carryout volume and export numbers. Apparently during the government shutdown employees were collecting data, and this report is likely to move market prices. In the past 10 years the fall report has reportedly moved the prices upwards 3 times, and downward 7 times (https://www.profarmer.com/news/agriculture-news/4-key-things-know-ahead-usda-crop-production-and-wasde-reports). Today we will see how US soybean and corn markets (and consequently our Canadian markets) react to a much needed update.
We are hosting a customer event Nov. 18th featuring Albert Tenuta. The OMAF Field Crop Pathologist will be talking about soybean diseases, and maybe a brief tar spot update. We will give some brief updates on the Jackson projects, as many of you have noticed there is a lot of construction going on. We will also discuss some seed variety options for 2026.
If you would like to come please call the office or email for more details and RSVP.
