September 9, 2025
- Soybeans range from R6 (full seed) to late R7 (mid-maturity) with most crops at R6.5 to R7. Very early varieties, most often being grown for seed production have achieved R8 (95% brown pod) and are drying down with a few fields of such material already harvested.
- Soybean Maturity Guide →
- Last week saw temperatures across the province approach or go below 0oC on multiple occasions. While widespread frost damage to soybeans did not occur, there were areas where extensive plant freezing did occur. With most crops in later R6 to R7 growth stages, overall yield and quality losses are expected to be small but some later maturing fields in early R6 (or even very late R5) were negatively affected.
- Late-season stem diseases like pod and stem blight or anthracnose are being noticed at low levels in some fields. With these diseases setting in at this late stage and occurring at low severities, they are not expected to impact yield or quality.
- White mould has been found in more fields this year. Symptoms include plants with stems are bleached while leaves are dried up and wilted. The characteristic white mold itself can be found on stems at the point of infection. Break stems open to look for hard, black sclerotia bodies to confirm the presence of white mold.
- Field pea harvest is nearing completion. Pea yields range from
<40 to >80 bu/ac with a high level of variability in yield noted from field to field even with a given region or area. Generally this reflects the overall dry conditions and uneven rainfall patterns that were experienced throughout the growing season. Overall quality, including seed colour change, has been rated as good.
- Dry beans range from late R8 (mid-maturity) to R9 (full maturity). Fields are being undercut or desiccated and that work will continue this week. A few fields were harvested last week and the forecasted weather looks encouraging for continued progress in the coming days
- In dry beans, white mold was noted as rapidly becoming widespread, including in fields that had an application of fungicide earlier on. This was attributed to sustained canopy wetness because of frequent rainfall events accompanied by cooler than normal day and nighttime temperatures that were experienced in the major dry bean growing areas of the province over the last few weeks.
- If desiccating, target the R9 (full maturity) stage when 80% of leaves have dropped and 80% of pods had changed to their mature colour in the greenest areas of the field. Seeds in the youngest pods will have lost their green colour when split in half. Dry Bean Desiccation and Harvest Timing →
- The maximum safe storage moisture for dry beans is 16%. Seed moisture below 16% increases the risk of cracked seed coats and split beans. Seed moisture above 18% increases the risk of heating and spoilage. Moisture will fluctuate throughout the day and should be monitored. Handle edible beans as little and as gently as possible.
- Harvesting Tips to Improve Dry Bean Quality →
- Faba beans range from late R7 (mid-maturity) to R8 (full maturity). Crop desiccation has been ongoing.
