During harvest, growers may overlook the fundamental role of timing and soybean moisture to maximize efficiency, yield, and ROI. In this video, Illinois Soybean Association Soy Envoy, Kris Ehler, shares recommendations to optimize your soybean harvest.

In warm weather, soybeans can dry down more quickly than corn; therefore, harvest should take place as soon as soybeans reach 13 percent moisture. Many farmers could be giving up yield or risk seed damage if harvesting at or below 10 percent moisture. Therefore, growers should be aware of weather forecasts and harvesting at optimum moisture to maximize their profitability. If soybeans become too dry, their moisture can increase by way of dew during the morning. Ehler also shares examples of how to modify combines to capture as many soybeans as possible during challenging environmental or nonuniform field conditions.