When Are Soybeans Ready To Harvest? [A Guide for Farmers and Gardeners]

When Are Soybeans Ready To Harvest?

Soybeans are a staple crop in many parts of the world, and they’re a valuable source of protein, oil, and other nutrients. But when are soybeans ready to harvest? The answer to that question depends on a number of factors, including the variety of soybean you’re growing, the climate you’re in, and the time of year.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at when soybeans are ready to harvest. We’ll discuss the different factors that affect harvest time, and we’ll provide some tips for harvesting soybeans successfully. So if you’re growing soybeans, or you’re just curious about when they’re ready to be picked, read on!

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Week	Maturity	Harvest
10-12	R5.5	Dry Down
12-14	R6.0	Dry Down
14-16	R6.5	Harvest
16-18	R7.0	Harvest
18-20	R7.5	Harvest

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When Are Soybeans Ready To Harvest?

Soybeans are a type of legume that is grown for its seeds, which are used to make a variety of products, including soy milk, tofu, and soy sauce. Soybeans are typically harvested in the fall, when the pods have turned brown and the seeds are fully developed. However, the exact time of harvest can vary depending on a number of factors, including the soybean maturity group, climate, soil conditions, and irrigation.

Factors Affecting Soybean Maturity

The soybean maturity group is a classification system that is used to determine the number of days it takes for a soybean plant to reach maturity. Soybean maturity groups range from 0 to 10, with 0 being the earliest maturing group and 10 being the latest maturing group. The maturity group of a soybean plant is determined by the genetics of the plant, and it is important to choose a maturity group that is appropriate for the climate in which the soybeans will be grown.

Climate is another important factor that affects soybean maturity. Soybeans are a warm-season crop, and they do not tolerate frost well. In general, soybeans will mature faster in warmer climates than they will in cooler climates.

Soil conditions can also affect soybean maturity. Soybeans grow best in well-drained, fertile soils. If the soil is too wet or too dry, it can delay soybean maturity.

Irrigation can also affect soybean maturity. Soybeans need adequate water to grow, but too much water can also delay maturity. It is important to irrigate soybeans according to the needs of the crop.

Signs of Soybean Maturity

There are a number of signs that can indicate that soybeans are ready to harvest. These signs include:

• Pod color: The pods of mature soybeans will turn brown.
• Leaf senescence: The leaves of mature soybeans will begin to turn yellow and fall off.
• Seed development: The seeds of mature soybeans will be fully developed and will have a hard, glossy appearance.

It is important to note that not all of these signs will be present at the same time. For example, the pods of a soybean plant may turn brown before the leaves begin to senesce. It is also important to note that the maturity of soybeans can vary from one plant to another. Therefore, it is important to carefully inspect the soybeans before harvesting them.

The exact time of soybean harvest can vary depending on a number of factors, including the soybean maturity group, climate, soil conditions, and irrigation. However, there are a number of signs that can indicate that soybeans are ready to harvest. These signs include:

• Pod color: The pods of mature soybeans will turn brown.
• Leaf senescence: The leaves of mature soybeans will begin to turn yellow and fall off.
• Seed development: The seeds of mature soybeans will be fully developed and will have a hard, glossy appearance.

It is important to carefully inspect the soybeans before harvesting them to ensure that they are mature.

When Are Soybeans Ready To Harvest?

Soybeans are ready to harvest when the pods are dry and the beans are plump and hard. The best time to harvest soybeans is when the pods are about 75% dry. You can check the moisture content of the soybeans by using a moisture meter. The moisture content of soybeans should be between 12% and 14% when they are harvested.

If you harvest soybeans too early, the beans will be immature and will not store well. If you harvest soybeans too late, the beans will be over-mature and will be difficult to shell.

The following are some signs that soybeans are ready to harvest:

• The pods are dry and brown.
• The beans are plump and hard.
• The leaves on the soybean plant are yellowing and falling off.
• The soybean plant is starting to wilt.

Harvesting Soybeans

Harvesting soybeans is a two-step process:

1. Stripping the pods. The first step is to strip the pods from the soybean plant. This can be done by hand or with a mechanical harvester.
2. Shelling the beans. The second step is to shell the beans from the pods. This can be done by hand or with a mechanical sheller.

Once the soybeans have been harvested, they need to be dried and stored.

Equipment

The equipment you need to harvest soybeans will depend on the size of your operation. For small operations, you can use a hand-held stripper or a small mechanical harvester. For larger operations, you will need a larger mechanical harvester.

Timing

The best time to harvest soybeans is when the pods are about 75% dry. You can check the moisture content of the soybeans by using a moisture meter. The moisture content of soybeans should be between 12% and 14% when they are harvested.

If you harvest soybeans too early, the beans will be immature and will not store well. If you harvest soybeans too late, the beans will be over-mature and will be difficult to shell.

Yield

The yield of soybeans will vary depending on the variety of soybean, the growing conditions, and the management practices used. The average yield of soybeans in the United States is about 40 bushels per acre.

Storing Soybeans

Once the soybeans have been harvested, they need to be dried and stored. The moisture content of soybeans should be between 12% and 14% when they are stored.

Soybeans can be stored in a variety of ways, including:

• On-farm storage
• Commercial storage
• Export

On-farm storage is the most common way to store soybeans. Soybeans can be stored in a variety of on-farm storage structures, including:

• Grain bins
• Silos
• Bunkers

Commercial storage is another option for storing soybeans. Soybeans can be stored in a variety of commercial storage facilities, including:

• Grain elevators
• Warehouses
• Terminals

Export is another option for storing soybeans. Soybeans can be exported to other countries for storage and processing.

Moisture Content

The moisture content of soybeans is important for storage. Soybeans should be stored at a moisture content of between 12% and 14%. If the moisture content is too high, the soybeans will be susceptible to mold and spoilage. If the moisture content is too low, the soybeans will be difficult to shell.

Temperature

The temperature of soybeans is also important for storage. Soybeans should be stored at a temperature of between 35F and 50F. If the temperature is too high, the soybeans will be susceptible to mold and spoilage. If the temperature is too low, the soybeans will be difficult to shell.

Aeration

Aeration is another important factor for storing soybeans. Soybeans need to be aerated to prevent them from becoming moldy. Aeration can be done by using a variety of methods, including:

• Fans
• Conveyor belts
• Pneumatic systems

Aeration is especially important for soybeans that are stored at high moisture content or high temperatures.

Harvesting soybeans is a two-step process: stripping the pods and shelling the beans. The best time to harvest soybeans is when the pods are about 75% dry. The moisture content of soybeans should be between 12% and 14% when they are harvested. Soybeans can be stored in a variety of ways, including on-farm storage, commercial storage, and export. The moisture content, temperature, and aeration of soybeans are all important factors for storage.

When Are Soybeans Ready To Harvest?

Answer: Soybeans are ready to harvest when the pods are dry and the beans are plump and yellow. The leaves will have turned brown and fallen off, and the pods will be splitting open. You can test if the soybeans are ready by squeezing a pod. If the beans inside are soft and squishy, they are not yet ready to harvest. If the beans are hard and dry, they are ready to be harvested.

How do I know when the soybeans are dry?

Answer: You can tell if the soybeans are dry by looking at the pods. The pods should be brown and dry, and they should split open easily when you squeeze them. You can also test the moisture content of the soybeans by using a moisture meter. The moisture content of soybeans should be between 12% and 14% when they are ready to harvest.

When is the best time to harvest soybeans?

Answer: The best time to harvest soybeans is when the moisture content is between 12% and 14%. This is usually about 30 to 45 days after the pods have started to turn brown. If you harvest the soybeans too early, they will not be fully mature and will not have the best flavor or nutritional value. If you harvest the soybeans too late, they will be too dry and will not store well.

How do I harvest soybeans?

Answer: There are a few different ways to harvest soybeans. The most common method is to use a combine harvester. A combine harvester is a machine that cuts the soybeans off the plants, threshes them to separate the beans from the pods, and cleans the beans. You can also harvest soybeans by hand. To do this, you will need to cut the soybeans off the plants and thresh them by hand. You can then winnow the beans to remove the chaff.

How do I store soybeans?

Answer: Soybeans can be stored for long periods of time if they are properly dried and stored. The best way to store soybeans is in a cool, dry place. You can also store soybeans in airtight containers. Soybeans should be stored at a temperature of 50F to 60F and a relative humidity of 50% to 60%.

What are the different uses for soybeans?

Answer: Soybeans are a versatile crop that can be used for a variety of purposes. Soybeans can be used to make soymilk, tofu, soy sauce, and other soy products. Soybeans can also be used as a protein source for livestock and poultry. Soybeans can also be used as a biofuel.

soybeans are ready to harvest when the pods are dry and brown, and the beans inside are hard. The best time to harvest soybeans is when the moisture content of the beans is between 12% and 14%. If the soybeans are harvested too early, the beans will be immature and have a low yield. If the soybeans are harvested too late, the beans will be overripe and have a low quality.

Harvesting soybeans is a labor-intensive process, but it is essential to ensure that the soybeans are harvested at the right time. By following the tips in this article, you can help to ensure that you harvest a bountiful crop of soybeans.

Key Takeaways

• Soybeans are ready to harvest when the pods are dry and brown, and the beans inside are hard.
• The best time to harvest soybeans is when the moisture content of the beans is between 12% and 14%.
• If the soybeans are harvested too early, the beans will be immature and have a low yield.
• If the soybeans are harvested too late, the beans will be overripe and have a low quality.
• Harvesting soybeans is a labor-intensive process, but it is essential to ensure that the soybeans are harvested at the right time.