See national chem pricing trends in the FBN Research report
The best time to start soybean harvest depends on your geography.
According to Usual Planting and Harvesting Dates for U.S. Field Crops, soybean harvest in Minnesota typically wraps up by October 31 while in Arkansas it generally ends closer to November 26.
Usual Planting and Harvesting Dates for U.S. Field Crops, USDA
As soybean leaves turn yellow and then brown, they begin to fall off the plant, exposing the pods. Ideally, soybeans within the pods should be dry enough to limit combine thresher loss, as well as loss from sickle shatter.
Prime moisture for soybeans is 13-13.5%. However, harvesting at 15-18% moisture can be a good starting point if you plan to dry beans mechanically. Remember, harvesting soybeans when they are tough, or if the stems are still a little green, will require periodic combine adjustments to minimize loss.
Harvest moisture can sometimes be difficult to estimate as you drive by the field. Fields with green stems or a few leaves on the plants may be ready to harvest.
Scout your fields or contact your agronomist to better understand harvest timelines. Consider harvesting a small area of your field; it’s a great way to capture the ideal harvest start time and better understand moisture.
Percent moisture can fluctuate higher with overnight dew and drop rapidly during low humidity and windy conditions. Avoid harvesting soybeans in the late afternoon, if the moisture level of the soybean drops very low. This will help to minimize head loss due to sickle shatter.
Also, as the dew comes on, moisture may reach higher than desirable levels, making it difficult for the combine to properly thresh the soybeans from the pods.
PRO TIP: Pay attention to what’s happening behind the combine to check for improper threshing. Did you know that seeing just 4 to 5 soybeans per square foot can add up to losses of a bushel per acre?
You may be wondering what differences there are when harvest moisture is at 15%, or if you wait until the moisture is at 9% — the difference is in overall yield, which can directly impact your bottom line.
A study from the University of Nebraska stated that soybean moisture at 9% correlates to losing almost 4.4% of yield.
Consider this: If you have a field that makes 75 bushels per acre at 13% moisture, you are selling 3.3 fewer bushels per acre at 9% moisture. This is big money in lost revenue when the soybeans drop to very low moistures.
13% harvest moisture is ideal, but keep the weather forecast in mind, as well as the date on the calendar. Your agronomist can help you figure out when to ideally start harvest in your area, and how to maximize your soybean profitability by limiting drying costs; your agronomist can also help you identify ways to limit overall yield losses due to excessively dry soybeans.
Want an in-depth look at the math on soybean moisture? Check out this post from the University of Nebraska.
With 24/7 digital shopping access, transparent pricing and efficient direct-to-farm delivery, FBN Direct offers the information and products you need for a successful harvest this season. See available products by clicking here.
https://usda.library.cornell.edu/concern/publications/vm40xr56k
https://cropwatch.unl.edu/managing-soybean-harvest-timing-moisture-improve-yield
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/recommendations_for_a_late_soybean_harvest
https://swat.tamu.edu/media/90113/crops-typicalplanting-harvestingdates-by-states.pdf
© 2014 - 2023 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN”, “FBN Direct” are trademarks or registered trademarks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc.
FBN Direct products and services and other products distributed by FBN Direct are offered by FBN Inputs, LLC and are available only in states where FBN Inputs, LLC is licensed and where those products are registered for sale or use, if applicable. If applicable, please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Nothing contained on this page, including the prices listed should be construed as an offer for sale, or a sale of products. All products and prices are subject to change at any time and without notice and excludes CA mills tax and MN ACRRA fees. Terms and conditions apply.
ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. It is a violation of federal and state law to use any pesticide product other than in accordance with its label. The distribution, sale and use of an unregistered pesticide is a violation of federal and/or state law and is strictly prohibited. We do not guarantee the accuracy of any information provided on this page or which is provided by us in any form. It is your responsibility to confirm prior to purchase and use that a product is labeled for your specific purposes, including, but not limited to, your target crop or pest and its compatibility with other products in a tank mix and that the usage of a product is otherwise consistent with federal, state and local laws. We reserve the right to restrict sales on a geographic basis in our sole discretion. You must have a valid applicator license to use restricted use pesticides. Please consult your state department of agriculture for complete rules and regulations on the use of restricted use pesticides, as some products require specific record-keeping requirements.