It’s not every year that the weather cooperates and makes a double crop of beans possible, but a nearly perfect alignment of several things has resulted in some impressive soybean yields for farmers from Ontario’s southwest all the way to the east, near the Quebec border.
This road to successful double crop beans all started with decent conditions last fall for the winter wheat to go in in a timely manner and in good shape. Much of the province experienced a mild winter and a very dry, warm spring. The result was a wheat crop a full week to 10 days ahead of average for maturity.
Even still, some double crop beans went in as late as July 25th, though it seems much of the crop went in between early- and mid-July.
The yields have been as “low” as 15 bushels per acre — not bad considering that double crop beans are rarely assured to make a crop — up to the mid-40s, and even at least one report of 50 bushels per acre in yield.
Test results may vary according to mother nature but that’s farming. Relay beans at 38bu with heavy frost damage and double crop at 42bu on one of the wettest years. @page_er @SoilNetwork @MelLuymes @IFAO123 @NatalieF_AAFC @vanniekerkan #livinglabs #ontag #harvest21 pic.twitter.com/EVto3QegKF
— Greg Vermeersch (@VanMeerFarms) November 9, 2021
What’s more, the double crop success isn’t just happening in the southern regions of the province that pull off the feat more often. Successful double crop beans have come off in short-season Bruce County and all the way east, near the Quebec border.
Done #soybean #harvest21 guesses on the double crops yield? Incredible! pic.twitter.com/dvOheUsotp
— Warren Schneckenburger ?? (@farmerschneck) November 8, 2021
For farmers struggling with a less than ideal harvest season, the bonus crop (especially with such strong crop prices!) is putting a real smile on some faces.
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