Michigan
Soybean harvest is nearly complete in Michigan. Harvest was smooth and efficient this fall with good weather. Some soybean moisture was lower than hoped for at 9-11%, but many others were harvested near ideal at 12-14%. Beans went into storage in good condition.
The November USDA NASS Crop Production Report estimates a state average yield of 51 bushels per acre. This is very good for Michigan as our record state average is 51.5 bushels.
Anecdotal conversations with farmers and elevator operators indicate that a significant portion of the 2024 soybean crop has not been priced as growers are hopeful for better price opportunities in the future.
– Mark Seamon, Research Director, Michigan Soybean Committee
Minnesota
Minnesota was dry, but early November rains eased drought concerns a bit. If fall rains do not restore soil moisture status, planting in 2025 will prove to be interesting. According to the drought monitor, about 84% of the state is rated moderate to severe drought (D1-D2) status. As reported in the Nov. 4 USDA MN Crop Progress report, topsoil moisture supplies were rated 63% short to very short, 35% adequate and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 59% short to very short, 40% adequate and 1% surplus.
Crop harvest is all but complete in Minnesota. Corn silage, small grains, edible beans, and soybeans have been largely harvested. Corn grain harvest is proceeding rapidly with 95% harvested by Nov. 4. Grain moisture has been sufficiently low that grain drying, so far, is limited in scope. Early on, soybean harvest was slowed due to excessive green stems and overly dry pods/seeds reducing combine speeds. Some farmers are concerned about future crop volunteer corn and soybean issues in 2025 due to excessive harvest escapes. Farmer yield reports vary from “weather impacted” to “about average.”
Field work, soil sampling, tillage, manure, fertilizer applications, etc., continues. Soil temperatures have been excessively high (>50oF), limiting fall N fertilizer and manure applications. When soil temps drop (<50oF), nitrogen, as well as P and K, fertilizers will be going down. An early freeze of surface soils may shut down nutrient applications, an event that would add a lot more work to be done before the 2025 planting season starts. Current soil temperatures make this a doubtful event. Given the recent low river levels around Memphis, there is still some concern expressed about crop input availability in the spring.
– David Kee, Director of Research, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council
North Dakota
North Dakota had a great soybean production season in 2024 despite disease challenges such as white mold, phytophthora and soybean cyst nematode. According to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) report on Nov. 8, North Dakota’s 2024 soybean production is forecast at a record 251 million bushels, up 15% from last year’s production of 219 million bushels. The area for harvest, at 6.6 million acres, is up 7% from 2023. The yield is forecast at 38 bushels per acre, relative to 35.5 bushels per acre last year.
Unlike many falls, we had a relatively warm and dry fall this season that allowed farmers to have a smooth and efficient harvest. The soybean harvest was completed 1-2 weeks ago; the corn and sunflower harvest continues and is close to being done this week.
Now that harvest is almost completed, we need moisture to replenish topsoil and subsoil moisture for the next crop growing season.
–Miki Miheguli, Director of Agronomy & Research, North Dakota Soybean Council.
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