Drying Frost Hit Soybeans Safely

By Scout Nelson

An early frost can leave many farmers unsure about how to handle immature soybeans. Agricultural specialists recommend leaving frost damaged soybeans in the field to dry and then harvesting them together with mature beans.

Soybeans that reach the full seed stage or early maturity continue to change color as they dry in sunlight. Beans at the R6 stage turn from green to yellow, while the extracted oil changes from green to a golden color as chlorophyll breaks down.

If cloudy weather limits sunlight during field drying, beans may keep a slight green tint, but their oil is still expected to show little green color.

Frozen soybeans may dry differently than those untouched by frost. This can create uneven moisture levels across a field. Moisture meters may also give inaccurate readings because the outer layer of a soybean can dry faster than the inside.

To check true moisture content, place a soybean sample in a sealed bag for several hours at room temperature so the moisture balances before testing again.

Harvest timing is critical. Shatter losses increase sharply when seed moisture drops below 11 percent or when mature beans go through repeated wetting and drying cycles. Careful monitoring is needed to decide when harvest should begin.

Storage also requires extra attention. Variations in soybean moisture can lead to spoilage. Running an aeration fan helps move moisture from wetter beans to drier beans, allowing the entire batch to reach a more uniform moisture level. Initially running the fan longer than usual can help even out differences.

By letting frost damaged soybeans dry naturally, testing for accurate moisture, and using aeration during storage, farmers can protect grain quality and reduce losses despite early frost challenges.

Photo Credit: istock-ds70