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Struggling Double-Crop Beans May Transition to Forage

Some double-crop soybeans will struggle to reach maturity before the first killing freeze, meaning the plants could provide another forage option for livestock producers struggling to feed their herds.

An early wheat harvest and dry spring weather allowed growers to plant double-crop soybeans, but record-setting heat and drought kept the crop from germinating in a timely manner, or at all. Fields that germinated late aren't likely to reach maturity and could potentially supplement the state's decimated livestock feed resources.

"Soybeans that won't reach physiological maturity before a killing freeze do have value as forage at the proper stage of maturity," said Keith Johnson, Purdue Extension forage specialist. "The crop should be harvested as a forage before green leaves begin to yellow."

Ensiling the soybeans also helps animals utilize all parts of the plant and lessens feed waste.

"If chopped and ensiled, livestock will be less likely to sort out the lower quality stem, as compared to when soybeans are made and fed as long-stemmed hay," Johnson said.

Grazing soybean fields also can be an option, but it is more management-intensive and comes with risks.

"In my opinion, grazing soybean forage is risky because it is difficult to control selective grazing of immature grain," Johnson said. "Founder and off-feed problems could result if over-consumption of the seed occurs."

Growers and livestock producers also need to be aware of any pesticides that were applied to their crops, including miticides used more heavily this year to combat spider mite infestation. Pesticides have different harvest restrictions and some are not registered for use when soybeans are harvested as a forage crop.

Double-crop soybean growers who don't produce livestock still might have opportunities to sell the ailing crop to local livestock producers. Pricing is driven by current alfalfa prices and the soybean crop's forage quality, and will depend on who provides the labor and equipment to harvest the crop.

"If the livestock producer is harvesting the crop, the soybean grower would need to subtract out the harvest custom rates from the value of the forage," Johnson said.

Growers in much of the southern part of Indiana are eligible to carry crop insurance on their double-crop soybeans. Those who do will need to check with their insurance agents to get clearance before cutting the crop for forage.

The challenge, Johnson said, will be to know when the first killing freeze will happen.

"We don't know when that killing freeze will occur until maybe three days beforehand, so it's important for growers to alert their crop insurance agents early if they are considering this option," he said.