The journey of soybeans from the field to the fork is fraught with potential for loss. Post-harvest losses in soybeans can be significant, affecting food security, farmers' livelihoods, and overall agricultural sustainability. It is estimated that a considerable percentage of soybean crops never make it to the market due to various post-harvest challenges.
However, these losses are preventable with the right knowledge and practices!
Here’s how farmers and agricultural stakeholders can minimise post-harvest losses in soybean production:
1. Timely Harvesting
Effective timing in planting and harvesting is key to successful soybean production. Planting should align with the dry season to avoid soybeans' vulnerability to mold during their drying phase. High moisture and humidity at maturity can lead to significant crop loss.
Avoiding planting delays is crucial. Late planting can result in inadequate water at the end of the rainy season, leading to underdeveloped pods that dry up prematurely and are prone to shattering, especially in hot, sunny conditions.
Aligning the soybean growth cycle with seasonal weather patterns is essential to maximize yield and minimize crop loss. Harvesting too early can result in beans with high moisture content, susceptible to fungal growth in storage. Conversely, late harvesting increases the risk of pod shattering, causing direct bean loss.
The ideal moisture content at harvest should be between 13% and 15%.
What If I Don’t Have a Moisture Meter?
Guesstimating the moisture content without a moisture meter is challenging and inherently imprecise, but there are some traditional methods and observational techniques that farmers have used for generations to make an educated guess. These methods are based on the physical characteristics and behaviour of the soybeans and the conditions of the surrounding environment.
Here are a few:
1. The Feel Test
Experienced farmers often use the tactile method to estimate moisture content. They can feel the soybeans and their pods, checking for firmness and the ease with which the beans can be. Beans that are too moist tend to feel spongy and do not split easily when bitten or cut with a knife.
2. The Sound Test
When soybeans are dropped onto a hard surface or struck together, the sound they make can give an indication of moisture content. Dry soybeans will have a distinct, sharp "rattle" or "crack," while those with higher moisture content will sound duller.
3. The Pod Appearance
Observing the pod can give clues; pods that are ready for harvest at the right moisture content typically change colour from green to a yellowish-brown and begin to dry down. They will be flexible but not brittle to the touch.
4. The Twist Test
Take a handful of soybean plants and twist them. If they break and snap readily, they're likely dry enough. If they twist into a rope and don't break, they likely have higher moisture content.
5. The Hull Test
Attempt to hull a few beans by hand. If the hulls come off smoothly and the beans inside are dry to the touch, they are likely at an acceptable moisture content for storage.
6. The Weather and Field Conditions
Understanding the typical drying patterns in your area based on weather conditions can also provide insights. If the weather has been hot and dry, moisture levels may be lower. After rain, or in the morning with heavy dew, they will likely be higher.
7. Comparison Sampling
If you have access to soybeans with a known moisture content, you can compare your beans with the sample batch through weight and feel.
Precautionary Note:
These traditional methods are not substitutes for the precision of modern instruments. Farmers using these rough met should always err on the side of caution and assume there is a margin of error. To reduce risks, beans assessed without a moisture meter should be monitored more frequently during storage for signs of spoilage or deterioration.
2. Proper Handling and Transportation
After harvesting, gentle handling of soybeans is essential to prevent mechanical damage. Bins and containers used for transporting harvested soybeans should be free of debris and remnants of previous crops to prevent contamination. During transportation, minimize the drop height when transferring soybeans to reduce cracking.
3. Effective Storage Solutions
Investing in good storage facilities is vital. Soybeans should be stored in a cool, dry place to discourage the growth of mold and pests. Silos, bins, or warehouses should be weatherproof, rodent-proof, and equipped with aeration systems to maintain the quality of the beans. Regularly inspect the stored soybeans for temperature and moisture levels to make timely adjustments.
4. Pest and Disease Management
Control measures for pests like weevils and diseases should be in place before storage. This might include using hermetic storage bags or applying appropriate and safe insecticides. Additionally, practising crop rotation can reduce the risk of disease carryover from one season to the next.
5. Quality Control
Establishing quality control checkpoints during the post-harvest process helps in identifying and isolating low-quality beans that could spoil the rest of the batch. This can be done through visual inspections or using more advanced techniques like moisture meters and grain analyzers.
6. Training and Capacity Building
Farmers and workers involved in post-harvest handling should be trained in best practices. Knowledge of when and how to harvest, dry, and store soybeans can greatly reduce the risk of post-harvest losses. Extension services and agricultural organizations should offer such training programs to improve the overall handling of the crop.
7. Utilizing Machinery
Where possible, mechanization can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the post-harvest process. Machines designed for threshing, cleaning, and sorting can maintain the quality of soybeans better than manual methods, which are labor-intensive and can be inconsistent.
8. Market Planning
Effective market planning is also a key factor in minimising post-harvest losses. Farmers should have a clear plan for where and how they will sell their soybeans. Establishing these connections early can shorten the time soybeans spend in storage and reduce the risks of quality degradation and losses.
In conclusion, minimizing post-harvest losses in soybean production requires a comprehensive approach that spans from pre-harvest planning to market delivery. By implementing timely harvesting, proper handling and transport, effective storage, and pest management, along with training and infrastructure development, the agricultural sector can protect the valuable soybean crop from unnecessary waste. As the demand for soybeans continues to rise globally, optimizing post-harvest practices is not just a matter of economic interest but also a critical component of global food security.
