Soybean harvest is currently underway in Wisconsin with producers in the southern part of the state hoping to finish harvesting most of their crop by early October. Others are just getting started. Combining began in southern Wisconsin as early as mid-September, about a week to 10 days ahead of last year and the five-year average. Overall, the state soybean crop is 30% harvested, according to USDA’s Weekly Crop Progress report. 

Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board (WSMB) President Jonathan Gibbs said harvest snuck up on them this year. 

“It’s a little deceiving actually when you drive by the fields. Some of the plants still had some green stems and some leaves still on them, but we discovered the beans were actually like 8-9% moisture in spots,” said Gibbs, who farms in Fox Lake in south-central Wisconsin. “It’s go time!” 

Farmers in northeastern Wisconsin, including farmer Matt Wagenson, are a little behind Gibbs’ pace. 

“We’re just getting started. A lot of my soybeans didn’t get planted until June, so we have some catching up to do,” said Wagenson, who serves as vice president of WSMB. “But conditions are good for drying, warm and windy.” 

Taking it in stride 

According to the USDA, the central and northern regions of Wisconsin are between 8%-28% complete with soybean harvest.   

As far as yields go, Gibbs says it varies throughout the fields, but conditions should be favorable to harvest an average crop.  

“Our beans will probably be about average. In other parts of the state, I’m hearing the same,” Gibbs said. “No one is bragging about their crop, but I don’t hear a ton of complaining either, so my gut tells me it’s the same for others as well.”  

Wagenson echoed a similar statement. 

“Small beans,” he said. “Dry. Decent yields.”  

USDA rates the condition of the beans at 64% good to excellent.