Cloudy skies and rainy days have been a common sight for farmers across the U.S. this harvest season. With the challenging growing conditions lingering into the fall, Mother Nature added stress to this year’s soybean crop leading to a high volume of damaged beans. Given the conditions this year, farmers should be looking ahead to prepare for next year.
“The biggest challenge I see in the near future is in seed quality for next year,” says Shawn Conley, Soybean and Wheat Extension Specialist in the Department of Agronomy at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. “Generally, the type of damage we’ve seen this year is pretty isolated, so seed companies and industries can move soybeans around among their different geographies. But this is much more widespread.”
With harvest starting to wind down, Conley suggests farmers pay close attention to the following:
Soybean prices: Due to the widespread damage, Conley expects higher prices next year. It is likely there will be fewer high-quality soybean seeds available because of the large area the weather damage impacted.
Storing soybeans: More soybeans will be stored on the farm this year. Farmers should pay special attention and seek outside help to be sure they are storing soybeans correctly. Many farmers are used to storing corn, rather than soybeans. Farmers should pay attention to the amount of air on the soybeans and the storage handling process. If not given the right attention, it could contribute to moldy seed or lower quality seed in the spring, resulting in even greater damage rates.
Seed germination and seed treatments: Conley expects a lower percent germination on seeds sold next year due to the damage that has been seen this year. Avoid skimping on seed treatments as the application of a seed treatment helps boost seed germination. When it comes to percent germination on the seed, there is a big difference between 98 percent and 85 percent germination. Low germination has the potential to affect yields, ultimately impacting the bottom line.
Here’s what happened
Significant rainfall and high temperatures provided the perfect environment for many late-season diseases soybean farmers typically don’t worry about. From Early Death Syndrome in Wisconsin, Cercospora in Arkansas to mold and mildew across the U.S., farmers are seeing the implications when taking their soybeans to the elevator.
“This extent of damage is getting broader and wider as we go,” says Jim Carroll, USB farmer-leader from Arkansas. “There are several factors that we just don’t understand right now, from the environment to genetics.”
This year, in particular, elevators are looking closely at the damages. These damages challenge both elevators and processors in the U.S. as bean grading levels available to blend for exports are lower than typically seen. The current market is driving elevators to reassess damage levels because the export landscape is quite different compared to previous years.
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