Weekly Dry Bean Market Review

USDA Market News reports trading of dry beans remains mostly light with moderate demand. New crop prices for all pulses remain steady to firm.
 
For pintos, the grower price in Minnesota and North Dakota is $45-to-$47 per hundredweight. That’s unchanged from the prior week’s report. Black beans are down slightly from the previous week at $45-to-$48 per hundredweight. Navies are unchanged at $42 per hundredweight. Dark red and light red kidney bean prices are at $44-to-$45 per hundredweight.
 
The USDA Crop Progress Report released November 1, 2021 has dry bean harvest at
95% complete for Colorado, Michigan at 99%, Nebraska at 96% and North Dakota at 95%.
 

Dry Bean Scene

The Michigan dry bean harvest is running ahead of schedule, and this year’s crop is one for the books. Hear more from Michigan State University Dry Bean Systems Specialist Scott Bales in this week’s Dry Bean Scene on the Red River Farm Network. This radio update is made possible, in part, by the Northarvest Bean Growers Association.
 
Jon Ihry

Save the Date – U.S. Dry Bean Harvest Review

The U.S. Dry Bean Council is hosting a webinar outlining the results of the 2021 dry bean harvest. The event will be held November 17 at 9 a.m. Central Time. Register here.
 

Crop Progress Report – October 25, 2021

According to USDA’s Crop Progress Report, dry edible bean harvest in North Dakota was 93 percent, behind 100 percent last year, but near 91 percent average.
 
Topsoil moisture supplies in North Dakota were rated 18 percent very short, 26 percent short, 52 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 33 percent very short, 31 percent short, 34 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus.
 
There was update provided for Minnesota this week, as harvest is basically wrapped up. Topsoil moisture supplies in Minnesota were down slightly to 5 percent very short, 16 percent short, 73 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 8 percent very short, 30 percent short, 60 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.
 
Dry bean harvest is 82 percent complete in Colorado, 97 percent complete in Michigan and 92 percent complete in Nebraska. Get the latest Crop Progress numbers.

For Another Week, Drought Conditions Continue to Improve

Late season rains across North Dakota and Minnesota were enough to improve dry conditions, but more rains will be needed to break the longer-term drought. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows some form of dryness still encompasses 93 percent of North Dakota. The severe and extreme drought categories decreased by 26 percent from last week across the state. The southeastern part of North Dakota has sufficient moisture. Drought conditions are also decreasing in Minnesota, encompassing 62 percent of the entire state. The worst conditions are in the far north central and northeastern part of the state.

Crop Progress Report – October 18, 2021

According to USDA’s Crop Progress Report, dry edible bean harvest in North Dakota was 91%, behind 99% last year, but near 87% average.
 
Topsoil moisture supplies in North Dakota were rated 22% very short, 29% short, 44% adequate, and 5% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 29% very short, 32% short, 38% adequate, and 1% surplus.
 
In Minnesota, dry beans harvested was 97%. That’s behind to 100% last year, but ahead of 92% average.
 
Topsoil moisture supplies in Minnesota were 3 percent very
short, 17 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 9 percent very short, 32 percent short, 57 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.
 
Get the latest Crop Progressnumbers.

Ocean Freight Rates Surge Higher

In the third quarter, ocean freight rates for bulk commodities, including grain, were at the highest level in 13 years. To ship grain from the Pacific Northwest to Japan, the rate was $44.56 per metric ton. That’s up 16 percent from the second quarter and up 93 percent from one year ago. The rate increase is linked to congestion at the ports and other logistical problems.

Drought Conditions Continue to Improve

Last weekend’s heavy rains across North Dakota and Minnesota were enough to improve dry conditions, but more rains will be needed to break the longer-term drought. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows Golden Valley, North Dakota in exceptional drought, with the rest of the sate ranging from abnormally dry to extreme drought conditions. Minnesota also had a reduction in drought, with the severe conditions in the western part of the state now at moderate to severe drought.

Dry Bean Scene

Farmers in North Dakota and Minnesota are virtually wrapped up with the 2021 dry bean harvest. Hear more from Pisek, ND farmer Darren Kadlec and National Weather Service meteorologist Bill Barrett in this week’s Dry Bean Scene on the Red River Farm Network. This radio update is made possible, in part, by the Northarvest Bean Growers Association. Listen now.

U.S. Dry Bean Production Expected to Decline

USDA released the latest Crop Production Report on October 12. U.S. production of dry beans is forecast at 22.6 million cwt, down 3 percent from the August forecast and
down 31 percent from 2020. Area planted is estimated at 1.40 million acres, down 4 percent from the August forecast and down 20 percent from 2020. Area harvested is forecast at 1.34 million acres, down 4 percent from the August forecast and down 20 percent from 2020. The yield is forecast at 1,686 pounds per acre, an increase of 11 pounds from the August forecast, but a decrease of 280 pounds from last season.
 
In North Dakota, dry bean production is forecast at 5.95 million cwt, down 53% from 2020. Area for harvest, at 640,000 acres, is down 18% from last year. Yield is estimated at 930 pounds per acre, down 700 pounds per acre from last year.
 
Minnesota dry bean production is forecast at 4.47 million cwt, down 19 percent from last year. An expected 229,000 acres will be harvested, with an expected yield of 1,950 pounds per acre.