Organic Soybeans

Growers are intrigued by the opportunity to get $18-20 per bushel for their soybeans. Can you do it profitably? I find that under good management, organic soybeans frequently average over 30 bu/ac. Last year, many averaged over 35 bu/ac. Prices are currently $18-20 per bushel for organic food grade. Organic feed grade (such as stained) will price out at $12-15 per bushel. Therefore revenues for organic soybeans can be over $500 per acre for a successful organic soybean crop. This year, Agricorp is offering a new production insurance option for certified organic soybeans. 

Organic Seed

The cost of growing organic soybeans will likely be similar to conventional soybeans. Organic seed will be more expensive. Varieties need to be clear hilum, non-GMO as specified by your contract or expected buyer of your organic soybeans. Some buyers require specific varieties for their end market. 

Fertility

If soil fertility is good there will be no direct fertilizer costs. On fields that need additional fertility, it is usually applied as composted manure or other permitted supplements. This is applied during other parts of the crop rotation (such as before corn or wheat/spelt) for crops that are more responsive. Herbicide and pesticide costs are eliminated for organic soybeans. 

Crop Rotation

Crop rotation is necessary for soybeans and is required by the organic standards and inspectors. Continuous soybeans will always have more weed problems. Cover crops are encouraged throughout the crop rotation so that

• the soil is kept covered as much as possible, and
• the soil has a diversity of crops to encourage a diversity of soil microorganisms.

This improves the nutrient cycling, soil organic matter and overall health of the soil.  

Tillage & Planting

Conventional tillage practices are used for organic soybeans. Usually the field is worked early in the spring to level the field and warm the soil to encourage the first flush of annual weeds. A second tillage pass two weeks later will destroy these weeds. Soybean planting is usually delayed until late May, when the soil is warm enough to encourage rapid emergence and to allow preplant tillage to kill early weed flushes. 

Weed Control

After planting, about two days before crop emergence, the crop will be harrowed (usually with a weeder or tine harrow) or rotary hoed. This will kill germinating weeds, most of which are not yet emerged. A week later, after crop emergence, this will be repeated. The first row-cultivation will be done as soon as is practical without covering the young soybean plants. Most organic soybeans will be row-cultivated a second time before the crop canopy fills in the rows. In some cases, the weeder harrow is used in between row-cultivation passes to help root weeds out of the row. This makes for 4 - 5 passes after planting, at approximately weekly intervals, for weed control. This type of tillage is shallow and the equipment can cover a lot of acres in a day, especially with the rotary hoe and early passes of the weeder harrow. 

Successful weed control depends on several factors. Watch the field closely, and be prepared to respond as the field (and the weeds) progresses. The easiest weeds to kill are those less than 1 inch tall. Time management is key. Equipment needs to be sized according to the number of acres to be covered. Guidance systems can facilitate faster and more accurate coverage of the field for row cultivation. Plant populations need to be adequate. A common suggestion is to increase seeding rates up to 25% to allow for some plant losses during weed control passes. 

A Systems Approach

Organic soybeans can be profitable. You need to be certified organic. Know your market requirements. Plan a good crop rotation for your farm – with good markets for your whole crop rotation. Have flexibility in your cropping program to deal with the conditions of the season.