Soybeans are harvested when seed moisture concentration ranges from 13 to 15 percent.

Soybean Harvest

Ideally, soybeans will be harvested when seed moisture concentration ranges from 13 to 15 percent. However, seed can usually be harvested at moisture ranges from 11 to 20 percent.

Drier seeds are more likely to shatter off the plant and/or split when passing through the harvester. Wetter seeds will need to be dried for safe storage and also run a risk of being ground by the harvester.

Weed-free conditions are ideal. Weeds that can stain soybean seed are especially detrimental to final sale price of the soybean crop.

For more information on this or other topics related to soybean production, contact your state extension specialist or your local extension educator/agent.

The following is the link to the soybean extension specialists: state extension soybean specialist.