Derry Forage Soybean Seed

Derry forage soybeans are a maturity group (MG) VI forage soybean.  They are a tall, bush type soybean with an indeterminate growth habit.  They tolerate browsing well by deer and livestock. Derry makes a high protein feed when they are baled for hay or cut for silage. Soybeans for forage have been compared to alfalfa in forage quality.  Forage soybeans can produce up to 22% crude protein and can approach up to 10 tons of forage per acre.  Derry soybeans are a tall soybean, reaching a height up to 6 ft.  Derrys can be cut and baled for hay, green chopped and fed directly to livestock, and ensiled for silage. 

Forage Soybeans Vs Regular Soybeans

What makes Derry one of the leading forage soybeans for grazing, hay, and silage? 

In university field trials, the Derry forage soybean was 26 inches taller, produced 74 percent more dry matter, and had less fiber when harvested early compared to ag-type soybeans.

The Derry variety was one of the three forage soybean varieties developed by USDA soybean breeder Dr. Tom Devine and licensed to Specialty Seed, Inc. Derry was bred for the northern Midwest and has performed well in northern and southern states. 

Derry has the indeterminate growth habit which means vegetative growth continues beyond flowering.  The indeterminate growth habit aids the plant to continue growing from the tip after being browsed and to continue growing longer into the growing season that ag type soybeans planted for high grain yields.  

What are Derry's yield results?

Derry has good grain yield for a forage type soybean.  The grain yield would be moderate if compared to an ag type soybean but superior in forage.  Derry soybeans are a great solution for a soybean farmer to plant around his field edges if he is getting a lot of deer damage.  They can take the brunt of the deer browsing while protecting the yield of the core area of the field.  Depending on the deer density, the farmer may only need to plant 1-3 planter widths around the field perimeter to buffer his crop.  

What is the planting rate for Derry forage soybean seeds?

Plant 1 bag per acre when drilled or 1.5 bags per acre if broadcast.  If you are wanting a smaller stem for livestock forage or if you have a high deer population, you will want to increase your planting rate.    

Is inoculant recommended for Derry forage soybeans?

If soybeans have never been planted before in the field or if it has been 3 years or longer since soybeans have been planted, inoculating the soybeans with Strain S is recommended.  Inoculant is cheap insurance!

Conventional Forage Soybeans Vs Roundup Ready Forage Soybeans

Are Derry soybeans Roundup Ready?

Derry is a non-GMO soybean variety.  For a gamekeeper or farmer that does not need a Roundup Ready trait soybean, the Derry variety is a good choice.  We have seen customers prefer non-GMO soybeans over glyphosate tolerant for several reasons.  One reason could be cost.  Non-Roundup Ready soybean seed is cheaper than Roundup Ready soybean seed.  If the customer does not care about using glyphosate over the top of the crop, or if the customer will be planting the Derry soybean seed in a blend with non-Roundup Ready seeds, save the money and do not purchase a herbicide trait that is not needed.  Another reason we have seen customers choose non-GMO soybeans is they have a market that pays them more for organically produced meat, or if not organic, meat grown and fed with non-GMO food products.  This results in higher profits which is important.

Are Derry soybeans conventional?

Derry soybeans are a conventional type of soybean.  There are many herbicide options that can be used with Derrys if needed.  Each state extension agency produces a “Weed Control Guidelines” manual for their respective state.  In these manuals, it will give herbicide options for conventional, non-RR soybeans.  Please note herbicides are most effective when used on actively growing weeds less than 4” tall.