Purdue University Extension Soybean Specialist Shaun Casteel offers tips for assessing soybean stands. Casteel uses the hula-hoop method as well as the linear method (using a tape measure) to take stand counts in drilled soybeans, and soybeans in 15- and 30-inch rows.

If counts are low, Casteel recommends digging into the ground to see what the emergence problem is. He says that at the V1 stage, there's still time to make up with some over-seeding or seeding between the rows.

Stand assessment in drilled soybeans

Stand assessment in 15-inch soybeans

Stand assessment in 30-inch soybeans