Can soybeans be grown organically?

Can soybeans be grown organically?

Soybeans can be successfully planted in 30” rows, or in narrower rows on organic farms. Corn planters generally give the best seed placement and emergence but grain drills can be used with very good results under certain conditions.

How do you grow high yielding organic soybeans?

Aim for a seeding rate of 175,000 seeds per acre in a 12- to 15-inch row spacing, and 200,000 seeds per acre when solid-seeding in 6- to 8-inch rows. Use only seed that was produced the previous crop year, as older soybean seed usually has lower germination and reduced seedling vigor.

What are organic soybeans?

The majority of organic soybeans are used for tofu and other soy products in the United States and exported to Japan and other countries. Food-grade soybeans are clear-hilum beans (no black mark on the seed). Other organic markets include soybeans for organ- ic livestock feed and for oil or lecithin processing.

Is it profitable to grow soybeans?

Since 2013, soybeans have been more profitable than corn, albeit at much lower levels. From 2014 to 2018, farmer returns averaged -$30 per acre for corn and $64 per acre for soybeans.

What to do with organic soybeans?

Soybean sprouts are delicious in soup and salad and add a great fresh raw source of protein to your diet. Also great for making tofu, soymilk, and a great high protein addition to food storage. These organic soybeans seeds also makes great soy milk and tofu.

What are organic soybeans used for?

Organic food-grade soybeans are used in food products like tofu, tempeh or soymilk, and can be produced in the United States or abroad. Organic feed-grade soybeans are used to develop organic livestock feed, which is required to be fed to livestock by producers who raise certified organic meat.

Does fertilizing soybeans pay?

Traditionally, soybeans do not received much, if any, fertilizer. Soybeans are efficient in providing their own nitrogen through biological nitrogen fixation and typically, there has been enough residual phosphorus and potassium left behind by previous crops to provide essential nutrients.

Where are organic soybeans grown in us?

The states that produce the most certified organically grown soybean include Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, and Illinois (Figure 2).

How long does it take for soybeans to grow?

It commonly takes a soybean seed about two days to germinate and sprout. The new plant doesn’t emerge from the ground until about one week after planting.

When is the best time to harvest soybeans?

The best time to harvest soybeans is when the seeds are fully developed but the pod has not yet turned from green to yellow. Most commercial varieties of soybeans hold in this window of development for about a week before the pod starts to dry.

When to plant soybean seeds?

Ideally, you want to plant soybean seed after the last winter thaw. The ideal conditions are when the one inch soil depths are at a constant 65 degrees Fahrenheit which means in the Northern states you will plant in late May or early June. If you live in the southern states then late April or early May.

How many soybean plants per acre?

The plant has the ability to produce 600 pods per plant, but on average there are 50 to 100 pods per plant that set seed. Each pod contains up to three seed. Soybean yields are directly dependent on the number of plants per acre, the number of pods per plant, the number of seed per pod, and the size of the seed.