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Organic Soybeans
O N C O N S E R V A T I O N R E S E R V E P R O G R A M L A N D
O
soybean arena, Organic soybeans can be a very lucrative crop for Iowa farmers. Before entering
farmers should
the organic soybean arena, farmers should first become schooled in the history,
first become
the history,
overview of organic agriculture follows; for further details, see Iowa State
philosophies,
markets of
organic agriculture
in general.
Food-grade clear-hilum
USDA NRCS
Organic Soybeans
O N C O N S E R V A T I O N R E S E R V E P R O G R A M L A N D
I
In order to sell your crop as certified organic, you
must be certified by one of the agencies approved
by the USDA National Organic Program (NOP). A
list of agencies in Iowa is provided in Organic
Agriculture (PM 1880) *. The NOP requirements
include the following:
H How can organic soybeans
be marketed? The majority
of organic soybeans are
used for tofu and other soy
products in the United
States and exported to
Japan and other countries.
Farmers have
reported increased
production as the
• No synthetic fertilizers for 36 months prior to
Food-grade soybeans are
the crop’s harvest. farm progresses
clear-hilum beans (no
• No synthetic pesticides (e.g., fungicides, black mark on the seed). from conventionally
insecticides, herbicides) for 36 months prior to Other organic markets
the crop’s harvest. farmed land.
include soybeans for organ-
• Crop rotations, including a soil-building legume ic livestock feed and for oil Soil health improves
or small grain/legume mix should be planted, or lecithin processing.
and beneficial insect
to help break weed, insect, and disease cycles The Iowa Department
and maintain soil fertility. of Agriculture and Land populations become
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2
K. DELATE
Many organic farmers plant a cover crop of winter rye on
ridges or tilled CRP land prior to their soybean crop to assist
in erosion and weed prevention.
C
more robust or soil is clod-
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land must dy. The soil should be relatively smooth and friable
be adequately prepared for organic soybean before planting to allow good seed-to-soil contact.
production. Pasture grasses and legumes in the Planting populations depend on the soybean variety
CRP land must be adequately degraded before planted, but seeding rates generally range from
planting soybeans. To be sure CRP plants are 175,000 to 225,000 seeds per acre to provide quick
degraded, organic farmers often moldboard plow in in-row shading and weed management. Again,
the fall and plant a cover crop of winter rye to help check with buyers; some require large-seeded soy-
control erosion, aid weed control (the rye deters beans (e.g., Vintons), and others prefer smaller
weed establishment), and provide some organic sizes (e.g., Pioneer 9305 or ISU varieties) with high-
matter when turned under in the spring. er seeding rates.
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G R O W I N G
Organic Soybeans
O N C O N S E R V A T I O N R E S E R V E P R O G R A M L A N D
K. DELATE
K. DELATE
Early weed management is essential in preventing problems Row cultivators are used two to three times to control
later in the season. weeds between rows.
F
Field cultivators will kill most rye cover crops
between 6" and 8", using harrow attachments to
bring residue to the surface. Taller rye can be cut
with a stalk chopper or mowed first to aid in plant
degradation. Cultivate again about a week after
first tillage operations to kill germinating weed
seeds that have developed as a result of soil
Check the hoe’s penetra-
tion, weed kill, and crop
response to determine
optimal speed and depth.
Row cultivation can begin
as soon as soybeans reach
an adequate size to with-
Weed control
is the most
critical element
of organic soybean
production.
disturbance. Plant soybeans at least 1" deep when stand soil around the base
the soil has reached temperatures of 50° F. Some of the plant. In mid-
organic farmers believe that adequate soil tempera- growing season, when the
ture is key to a successful crop and may delay plants are flowering,
planting their soybean crop until June when soils cultivate again at a faster speed to throw about 1"
are warmer, and bean leaf beetles have colonized of soil up around plants. The last cultivation should
other earlier-planted fields. Past June 1, a decrease be slow (5 mph). Organic farmers use a variety of
in yields may be anticipated, however. cultivator additions, including guidance mirrors,
Weed control is the most critical element of disk hillers, metal tent shields, and sweeps configu-
organic soybean production. Tillage operations rations (e.g., 26-inch one-piece sweeps in 36-inch
require planning and precise timing. Three to five row spacings). The USDA Sustainable Agriculture
days after planting (depending on weather condi- and Research Education (SARE) Sustainable
tions), rotary-hoe weeds at a slow speed (5 mph) for Agriculture Network can provide details on
good penetration. Once the soybeans have emerged cultivators and recommended tillage operations in
and are beyond the “crook” stage, at seven to 10 the book, Steel in the Field (EDC 125).
P A G E
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Harvesting and storing
are important steps in
collecting a premium
price for organic soybeans.
USDA NRCS
soybeans must be
separated from
conventional soybeans.
Therefore, combines,
for farmers who hire operators or rent machinery. cannot be sold as food or
cleaners, and bins
When harvesting and storing clear-hilum feed. Buyers usually re-
soybeans, it is essential that the soybeans be clean quire samples from each must be thoroughly
and free of discoloring soil and/or weed seeds, such load. Clean-out soybeans
cleaned between
as nightshade. Clean, whole soybeans will receive that are cracked, small, or
the highest market price. There are various stained usually average conventional and
methods to keep soybeans whole and as contami- 10–15 percent of the load.
organic harvests.
nant-free as possible during harvest. Methods These can be sold for
include using combines with dual rotating screens organic feed. There may
and raised at least 6 inches above soil level; “dirt be a market for transition-
guards” and smooth plates also help prevent al soybeans (those in the
contamination. If fields are weedy, organic three-year transition phase between conventional
farmers often delay harvest until a killing frost and organic). Buyers can provide information on
destroys any remaining weeds. Staining in organic those markets.
soybeans can be helped through late planting and
variety selection.
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G R O W I N G
Organic Soybeans
O N C O N S E R V A T I O N R E S E R V E P R O G R A M L A N D
Some organic farmers follow their soybean through the winter and
crop with corn, although the majority rotate to a disked or field cultivated
small grain following soybeans. If corn is selected, in the spring prior to
oats may be planted for a winter cover. Oats can be planting small grains. Rotations always
overseeded into soybean fields at leaf yellowing. Rotations always will be
will be key in a
Freezing weather kills the oats, but stalks remain key in a properly function-
on the surface to protect the soil from spring ing organic farm to help properly functioning
erosion. Organic corn currently is priced at a break up insect, weed, and
organic farm
greater price premium than organic oats, but we disease cycles; thus, it is
may see an increase in price of organic small grains best to plan for a minimum to help break up
with the need for organic livestock feed increasing three-year rotation if
insect, weed,
around the world. If following organic soybeans growing organic soybeans
with small grains, soybean stubble is generally left on CRP land. and disease cycles.
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References
Bowman, G. (ed.). 1997. Steel in the Field—A farmer’s Rynk, R. 1992. On-Farm Composting Handbook. NRAES-
guide to weed management tools. Sustainable 54. Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering
Agriculture Network, USDA, National Agriculture Service. Ithaca, NY.
Library, Beltsville, MD. Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN). 1998. Managing
Delate, K., and C. Cambardella, 2000. Integrating organic cover crops profitably. 2nd Edition. Sustainable
soybeans following CRP land. USDA-SARE Annual Agriculture Network, USDA National Agriculture
Report, N.C. SARE, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE. Library, Beltsville, MD.
IDALS (Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land
Stewardship). 2000. Iowa Organic Certification and
Organic Standards. Des Moines, IA.
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G R O W I N G
Organic Soybeans
O N C O N S E R V A T I O N R E S E R V E P R O G R A M L A N D
This research project was partially funded by Publications mentioned in this booklet can be ordered by
the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture contacting any ISU Extension county office or the ISU
at Iowa State University and the USDA-SARE Extension Distribution Center at (515) 294-5247. There is a
(Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education) charge, plus shipping and handling, for some publications.
LEOPOLD CENTER Program.
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