Due to the variable rainfall patterns that occurred across Michigan this summer, some soybean producers will likely face harvest challenges. The two most likely scenarios are lodging and green stems. The conditions that favor lodging are adequate to abundant rainfall or irrigation during the vegetative and early reproductive growth stages.

Green stems typically develop when dry conditions during pod set and early pod fill are followed by adequate rain and good growing conditions later in the season. The parts of the state where I expect the stems to stay green are the Saginaw Valley and Thumb area.

Proper cutter bar maintenance, slower ground speeds and harvesting at a slight angle to the rows are recommended when faced with lodged plants or plants with green stems. Specific recommendations for each condition are provided below.

Soybean producers should apply the recommendations provided in this article, in your operator’s manual and by your local equipment dealer to reduce soybean harvest losses in 2022. Make one adjustment at a time and frequently stop to evaluate your progress in reducing gathering losses.

This article was produced by a partnership between Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan Soybean Committee.