When to combine?

Tree-Farmer · Oct 5, 2015

I?m trying to figure out the ballpark time to combine. I?m in Northern Missouri.

I planted my soybeans on the late side, July 4. Soybeans should be 90 days to maturity, so that would be Oct 4.
What happens at 90 days? Does that mean the plant starts to die around then?

After the 90 days, then how long should beans stand in the field before they?re ready to be combined?
Does it take about 2 weeks for beans to dry in the field? From the end of the 90 days? Or does it take longer?

Can I estimate that I can combine around Oct 20?
I?ll probably wait until Oct 25.

Does that sound about right?
Any thoughts on the estimated time before I can combine?

Thank you!

RandyB(MI) · Oct 5, 2015

If you can dent the bean seed with your thumb nail , they are not ready.

notjustair · Oct 5, 2015

I'm in northern Kansas. Yours were in after mine by about 10 days. I'm still about ten days to two weeks out. It's not a thing that you can put on the calendar. Once the leaves are off start checking. Go to the middle of the field where there was a decent stand and check there. When it tests ok walk out of the field checking as you go.

If they are ready RUN to the combine quick before it rains on them. Get them cut just as fast as humanly possible and to the elevator before they run out of room and turn you away. Repeat for wheat next year or any other crop. Thus is harvest. It crawls along until the plant is ready, then you race as fast as you can (usually canceling plans to see long lost friends because you were just sure harvest would be over by now), you have yourself so worn out and dirty you could cry, two weeks later you are done and everything is on the verge of totally breaking in half, then you start planning for next year. So God made a farmer.

Bob · Oct 5, 2015

Apparently, you are a noob to the farming thing, 'caus you need to combine when the crop is ready and the weather conditions are favorable.

It's not like being a school teacher and having your lesson plans ready months in advance, and having a plan for every day set in stone, no matter what happens in the outside world.

GeneMO · Oct 5, 2015

You can loose a lot of beans to natural shatter, or bird damage, or loose it all to hail. The moment they are dry enough to combine, get em in. Start by driving the neighborhood and watching the neighbors. Or, shell out a sample and take to the elevator for a moisture sample.

I have a little FARMI brand moisture tester that uses a sample you can hold in one hand.

But dont leave em in the field a day longer than necessary.

Gene

Russ from MN · Oct 5, 2015

Most of the beans in N MN are combined, all the way to Canada. Our neighbor planted some short season variety, and combined them last week, even though they were planted late. The deer are confused, where did all my good food go! They are just wandering around the stubble, picking up the occasional bean.

1206SWMO · Oct 5, 2015

I'm in southern MO and we have practically no beans ripe in my area....Lots of beans won't be ready until November as they were planted very late because of all the wet weather......We are pretty dry and they seem to be just sitting there..

David G · Oct 5, 2015

Combine them as soon as the moisture gets low enough to store or not get docked.

paul · Oct 5, 2015

Well, yea. Um.

When the beans are 12-23% moisture! you go combine them.

Doesn't matter if that is the last few days of September, or the first week of November - you go when they are ready.

If you wait another 5 days, they might be be 9% moisture and then you can watch them pop off the combine window, and lose a lot.

So, your plan sounds good for getting close, but you go when they are ready, not when the calendar suits you.

Paul

VADAVE · Oct 6, 2015

Mine are just about ready in Virginia and I will probably start as soon as the ground dries not some.
Walk out into your field pull a pod and pop a bean in your mouth, bite it, if cracks or splits just before crushing its ready.
From the road, all the leaves are gone and the beans have taken on a slight grey color. This a good way to tell when you're close. Biting them is the best way.

David G · Oct 6, 2015

I totally agree on the moisture, beans can drop or rise in a hurry.

IlliniJohn · Oct 6, 2015

Please also note bean's moisture can go UP significantly with rain/fog/heavy dew.
Ideal is clear day, slight breeze low humidity.
Desperation is green vines, dry beans that want to shatter, and rain / snow forecast for next 10 days.
Smoke 'em if ya got'em, and combine them when they are driest & you can.
John

IowaJohn · Oct 6, 2015

West Central Iowa here. Our late group 2's are just getting ready that were panted in mid-late May. Early group 3's are a ways off. Ran 100 yards today just get to some corn got a short 10 bushel tested 18.5 barked darn loud in the cylinder, threshed fine just not ready.

stonerock · Oct 7, 2015

Randy that's some handy info

JMS/.MN · Oct 7, 2015

Harvest is usually about 3 weeks after the leaves start to turn color. Current varieties often still have green stems when the beans are ready to combine.

When to combine?

Tree-Farmer

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