Question:

Do you a preference for a particular inoculant?  If they are new for the growing season don’t they perform about the same?

Jordan Answer:

I think your assessment is correct.  The key is to get the product from a reputable company and make sure it is fresh and new for the 2020 cropping season.  There is a price range.  When I have compared them in new ground there often was no difference in performance.  I certainly have not looked at all of them.  I probably wouldn’t get one that is dirt cheap but I wouldn’t spend an excessive amount either.  On rotated ground a good inoculant is worth a 5% yield increase.  On new ground it is 40%.  Whatever they do, handle it well and make sure it gets delivered to the bottom of the furrow.  On new ground include a peat based hopper box treatment as insurance.