By Scout Nelson
Farmers aiming for the best outcomes in dry bean production have a valuable resource in the North Dakota State University Extension’s Dry Bean Variety Trials and Selection Guide. Greg Endres, an NDSU cropping systems specialist, recently highlighted the importance of this guide at BeanDay 2024 and the Getting it Right Dry Bean Production webinar.
Taking charge of the publication for the first time, Endres shared his appreciation for its past iterations and his vision for future enhancements, including soybean cyst nematode tolerance and expanded bacterial blight ratings.
This year's guide, packed with 20 pages of comprehensive data, gives growers an extensive comparison across various sites in the state. It details days to flowering, maturity, yield, seed weight, and additional factors like height and disease resistance. A notable addition to this edition is the direct harvest rating for pinto beans, offering insights into the efficiency of direct/straight harvest systems through visual evaluations.
Endres, along with Juan Osorno, NDSU dry bean breeder, discussed the exceptional performance of NDSU-bred varieties in the trials. Notably, varieties like ND Rodeo for pintos and ND Eclipse for black beans have shown superior results, underscoring the success of NDSU's breeding program.
The guide is accessible both in print at NDSU Extension offices and online, providing a crucial tool for farmers planning their crop selections. With the detailed information presented, growers are equipped to make educated decisions on bean varieties that promise not only high yields but also efficient harvest processes. As direct harvest gains popularity, the guide's insights into this method's viability for different varieties become increasingly valuable.
Farmers are encouraged to consult this guide as they finalize their variety decisions for the upcoming planting season, ensuring they are well-informed and prepared for optimal production results.
Photo Credit: north-dakota-state-university
Categories: North Dakota, Crops, Education