The edible bean crop is one of the later-planted row crops in the country and as warmer temperatures drive emergence, growers need to get out and scout to determine whether they have sufficient plant stands to reach yield and profitability goals.
On this episode of RealAgriculture's Edible Bean School, our hosts hit the field in Manitoba and Ontario to assess the crop with the Hensall Co-op agronomy team. Near Miami, Man., RealAgriculture's Kelvin Heppner and Hensall field marketer Calem Alexander take a close look at a thriving field of pinto beans. Alexander gets out his tape measure to do plant counts that reveal a plant population of 75,000 plants per acre, which for pintos is "right about ideal," he says.
Alexander reviews plant stand expectations for different classes of beans and replant thresholds. He also discusses options for growers who have to contend with powerful winds that can shred growing plants.
In Mitchell, Ont., RealAgriculture's Bernard Tobin and Hensall's Dave Louwagie are out scouting a black bean field. Louwagie says at planting he likes to see edibles twice within the same week, when he pours the seed into the planter unit and again at emergence. This field took a little longer to emerge, about 10 days, and there's the odd seed still popping up but he's happy with the stand.
Louwagie focuses on what growers need to be mindful of over the weeks ahead, including insect pressure and weed control strategy as the crop moves beyond the control window of pre-emergence herbicides. He also has a watchful eye for planter performance and identifying mechanical planting problems that can be addressed before next spring.
Tap here for more Edible Bean School videos.
