By Blake Jackson
The 2024 soybean growing season in southeast Missouri faced significant challenges due to Hurricane Helene and an unusually dry period.
Heavy rainfall and overcast conditions brought by the hurricane halted harvest operations, leaving mature soybeans exposed to excess moisture for up to 10 days. This compounded the drought conditions that had already affected the region.
Low test weights were anticipated due to the drought's impact on soybean seed filling, as predicted by the University of Missouri's Soybean Growth and Yield tool.
However, the prolonged exposure to moisture caused severe seed deterioration, leading to issues like sprouting, discoloration, ruptured hulls, and cracked pod walls.
The affected seeds had already been compromised by the drought, making them more susceptible to damage from the excess moisture. The combination of these factors resulted in significant quality issues.
Farmers are facing substantial financial losses due to the low quality of their soybeans, which are being heavily docked at elevators. This issue has broader implications, as it may impact seed availability for the upcoming 2025 growing season.
To address the problem, the United Soybean Board and Missouri Merchandise Council have initiated a multi-state research project led by Dr. Laura Lindsay from Ohio State University.
The project aims to investigate management strategies for mitigating seed quality deterioration. The University of Missouri's Soybean Farming System will participate in field trials in the southeast region during the 2025 season.
Farmers in the region are facing significant financial losses due to the low quality of their soybeans, which are being heavily docked at the elevator. This issue may also impact seed availability for the 2025 growing season.
Photo Credit: istock-urpspoteko
Categories: Missouri, Crops, Soybeans