Interest in early planting and improvements in adaptability of Maturity Group IV soybean varieties to Louisiana have created a need to reexamine optimal planting dates for these soybeans. Maturity Group III soybeans may present an option for early maturity, but little local data exists for this group on the optimal planting date window. The objectives of this study were to examine the emergence, plant height, canopy closure, and yield responses of Maturity Group IV and Maturity Group III soybeans under a wide range of planting dates, utilizing wide and narrow-row conditions. Two studies were initiated on Sharkey clay at the Northeast Research Station, Saint Joseph, Louisiana in 2005. The first was planted flat in 16-inch row spacing, with 32-inch spacing for the tractor tires. It included seven Maturity Group IV and two Maturity Group III varieties. Planting dates were established on April 15, April 29, May 26 and June 23. The second study was planted in 40-inch row spacing on raised beds, and included six Maturity Group IV and two maturity Group III varieties. Planting dates were April 10, April 17, May 1, May 16, May 29, June 13, June 26, and July 10. A third study on 40-inch rows was conducted at the Macon Ridge Research Station, Winnsboro, Louisiana. Data to be reported from the experiments includes plant stands and yield. Canopy closure data based on digital imagery from the 40-inch row test at Saint Joseph will also be reported.