Planting Guide · March 2026 · 6 min read
Soybean spacing is one of the simplest ways to influence yield, and most farmers leave bushels on the table by not matching their population to their row width. The chart below gives you the numbers you need to dial in your planter, followed by the reasoning behind each recommendation.
This chart assumes a target final stand of 100,000 to 140,000 plants per acre and a seeding rate roughly 10 to 15 percent higher than your target stand to account for germination and emergence losses.
| Row Width | Target Stand (plants/ac) | Seeding Rate (seeds/ac) | Seeds Per Foot of Row |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.5 inches | 100,000 – 120,000 | 115,000 – 140,000 | 1.6 – 2.0 |
| 15 inches | 110,000 – 130,000 | 125,000 – 150,000 | 3.6 – 4.3 |
| 20 inches | 115,000 – 135,000 | 130,000 – 155,000 | 5.0 – 5.9 |
| 30 inches | 120,000 – 140,000 | 140,000 – 160,000 | 8.0 – 9.2 |
How to use this chart: Find your row width on the left, then set your planter to the seeds-per-foot number on the right. The seeding rate column is what you will buy from the seed dealer. The target stand is what you should see after emergence.
Narrower rows close the canopy faster, which does two things: it shades out weeds and it captures more sunlight for photosynthesis. University trials across the Midwest consistently show a two- to four-bushel yield advantage for 15-inch rows compared to 30-inch rows. The advantage is even greater in northern states with shorter growing seasons because the canopy needs to close before the plant shifts energy to pod fill.
That said, 30-inch rows are not wrong. They allow for cultivation, they work with existing corn planters, and in some southern geographies where soybeans grow tall and bushy regardless, the yield penalty is minimal.
Bump your seeding rate up 10 percent when planting into no-till with heavy residue, cold soils below 50 degrees, or fields with a history of poor emergence. Drop it down 5 to 10 percent on clean-tilled, warm seedbeds with high-germination seed lots.
Always check your seed tag for germination percentage. A bag testing 92 percent germination needs a higher seeding rate than one at 97 percent to hit the same final stand.
Two weeks after emergence, count plants in a known length of row at several spots across the field. For 30-inch rows, count plants in 17 feet 5 inches of row and multiply by 1,000 to get plants per acre. For 15-inch rows, count in 34 feet 10 inches. If your stand is within 75 percent of your target, replanting is rarely economical.
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