Challenges and Strategies for Late Soybean Harvest in Michigan

By Andi Anderson

With 45% of the Michigan soybean crop still in the field as of October 29, 2023, farmers are facing a challenging harvest season. The outlook for normal to above normal precipitation and below normal temperatures in the 6-to-10-day weather forecast complicates matters further.

Michigan State University Extension offers expert advice to help producers overcome these challenges and ensure a successful late soybean harvest.

• Wait for optimal soil conditions: Harvesting in wet conditions can create deep ruts that fill with water, causing delays in future field operations. Additionally, wet harvest conditions can lead to soil compaction, which can reduce crop yields for several years. Consider modifying your combine with tracks or flotation tires to enhance traction and reduce soil compaction in wet conditions.
• Maintain your equipment: Sharpen all knife sections and guards, ensuring they are securely fastened and properly aligned for optimal cutting performance. Slowing down your ground speed will aid in cutting and ensure uniform feeding into the combine.
• Manage seed moisture. Aim to harvest when the seed moisture is below 20%. However, in wet conditions, moisture testers and yield monitors tend to underestimate grain moisture content by one to two points. Cross-check the readings from your moisture tester or yield monitor with your grain buyer's meter on at least three samples to ensure accuracy.
• Optimize threshing and cleaning. Threshing and cleaning high moisture soybeans can be challenging. Begin by achieving uniform feeding and maintaining a full threshing cylinder/rotor. Draper heads and air-assisted reels can improve the uniformity of feeding. If the threshing performance remains unsatisfactory, start by reducing the concave clearance. While this may increase plugging issues at the cylinder/rotor if the straw is tough, it's a step toward better threshing. If plugging or unacceptable threshing persists, gradually increase the speed of the cylinder or rotor, making small adjustments and assessing threshing performance and grain quality after each change.
• Monitor grain loss: Keep a close eye on your grain loss monitor, as gathering losses at the header can increase during late harvest due to the tough stems and pods and softer seed. It's essential to monitor grain loss closely and make necessary adjustments to minimize losses.
• Prompt drying or aeration: Wet beans require immediate drying or aeration after harvest. Follow recommended guidelines for drying and storing wet soybeans. If you plan to deliver wet soybeans directly to an elevator, ensure you know the elevator's maximum allowable moisture content before delivery.
• Harvest what you can: The bottom line is to harvest soybeans as soon as conditions allow, given the potential for soybean quality to decline and field losses to increase as the year-end approaches.
• Consider earlier maturing varieties: For producers consistently harvesting soybeans in November, consider planting earlier maturing soybean varieties. This adaptation can help reduce some of the risks associated with late harvests.

By following these expert recommendations, Michigan soybean farmers can navigate the challenges of a late harvest and ensure a successful season.

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