After emergence, roll in the afternoon, during the heat of the day, when soybean plants are flexible. Control wheel damage by configuring tractor tires and roller width to minimize plant injury. Do not roll when the soil surface is moist to reduce the risk of crusting or sealing and soil sticking to the roller. Avoid rolling when plants are damp because they can stick to the roller and be pulled out of the soil. Avoid rolling when because residue can be moved easily to ditches and it’s windy neighboring fields. rolling in an attempt to level soil ruts. Don’t use ******** [Sidebar Box] Research Summary Multi-state research conducted over the past decade concluded that: did not change yields, population or seed quality. •Rolling rolling induced more plant damage. •Later plants from rolling. •Residue protected can improve harvest conditions. •Rolling [Sidebar Box] Advantages of Soybean Rolling and firmer seed bed •Smoother harvest •Easier combine speeds •Faster operator fatigue •Less down time for equipment damage due to rocks, corn rootballs •Less seed at harvest; decreased dockage for soil tags •Cleaner Disadvantages of Soybean Rolling time and expense •Additional of the soil sealing or crusting •Risk for increase in wind or water erosion •Potential damage to emerged plants •Tractor tire that increase the risk of disease and lodging issues •Cracked stems yield increase •No References Al-Kaisi, M., DeJong-Hughes, J., Holmes, J., Hanna, M. 2011. Land Roller Use: Challenges Iowa State University. Online at: and Benefits. Edwards, W., Johans, A., Chamra, A. Iowa State 2012 Iowa Farm Custom Rate Survey. University. Online at:
After emergence, roll in the afternoon, during the heat of the day, when soybean plants are flexible. Control wheel damage by configuring tractor tires and roller width to minimize plant injury. Do not roll when the soil surface is moist to reduce the risk of crusting or sealing and soil sticking to the roller. Avoid rolling when plants are damp because they can stick to the roller and be pulled out of the soil. Avoid rolling when it’s windy because residue can be moved easily to ditches and neighboring fields. Don’t use rolling in an attempt to level soil ruts. ******** [Sidebar Box] Research Summary Multi-state research conducted over the past decade concluded that: •Rolling did not change yields, population or seed quality. •Later rolling induced more plant damage. •Residue protected plants from rolling. •Rolling can improve harvest conditions. [Sidebar Box] Advantages of Soybean Rolling •Smoother and firmer seed bed •Easier harvest •Faster combine speeds •Less operator fatigue •Less down time for equipment damage due to rocks, corn rootballs •Cleaner seed at harvest; decreased dockage for soil tags Disadvantages of Soybean Rolling •Additional time and expense •Risk of the soil sealing or crusting •Potential for increase in wind or water erosion •Tractor tire damage to emerged plants •Cracked stems that increase the risk of disease and lodging issues •No yield increase References Al-Kaisi, M., DeJong-Hughes, J., Holmes, J., Hanna, M. 2011. Land Roller Use: Challenges and Benefits. Iowa State University. Online at: Edwards, W., Johans, A., Chamra, A. 2012 Iowa Farm Custom Rate Survey. Iowa State University. Online at: