19 It’s Farming. And It’s Better. Better Farming | January 2025 NEW CROP OPPORTUNITIES white beans need some special attention compared to soybeans. “Black beans and white beans – really all edible beans – are a more delicate plant especially early in the season. If you have really wet soil conditions in the spring, edible beans struggle to establish themselves well, and are more susceptible to root rot and disease. “Another challenge we’ve seen are the limited options for weed control. There are only two to three herbicides to control broadleaf weeds in edibles, and they are very timing specific. If weeds get away on you, it’s very challenging to get them under control. This is exacerbated by Group 14 resistant common ragweed.” Growers used to be able to use a pre-harvest glyphosate desiccant, but global buyers have ceased accepting glyphosate use, creating challenges with weed management and harvest. Underwood says that compared to other edible beans, white and black beans have a more consistent market, with less variation in demand and price from global buyers. The reliable market makes these beans an easier entry point for growers. “It’s a very good opportunity for farmers to supplement their regular crop income,” says Underwood, sharing his advice for farmers looking into growing white or black beans. “The biggest thing to be aware of is the attention to detail you must have. The beans could end up in a can of pork and beans or a bag of dry beans, so people need to set up the expectation that they are producing something that will end up on a table. “Farmers need to put that focus on the weed and disease management perspective to maximize the quality of the beans. It will ultimately end up benefiting them, and they’ll produce a crop they’ll get paid well for.” Adzuki beans Adzukis are another type of edible bean, although they have very few similarities to black and white beans. Adam Ireland, a crop farmer near Teeswater, has been growing adzuki beans for nearly a decade. “They are a completely different crop, even when comparing them to other edible bean classes. They are in a different family, and take more management all around,” says Ireland. “I was looking for a more profitable option to add to corn, wheat, and soybeans.” He notes that while they don’t provide many benefits to his rotation, they are a good human food source. “They are a lower input crop, don’t take as much nitrogen, and have high protein content. But they are not great for soil health – they don’t have a great root system and are not giving back to the soil.” As with any crop, there are benefits and challenges when growing adzuki beans. “They are slow to get out of the ground. They have a hard seed coat and take a while to absorb moisture and germinate. They will also stay around for multiple years, so you will have volunteer beans to contend with.” Their short stature and limited weed control options are additional challenges for growing adzuki beans. The reduced height of the plant can make harvest difficult, leading to increased field losses, and a slower canopy gives more opportunity for weed growth. Some of the features that make adzuki beans challenging can also be their strength. “Because they are slower to germinate, you can plant them a little earlier. If your planting window is open and you’re not ready to plant white or black beans, you could get adzukis in the ground because they are going to stay there longer,” says Ireland. “It’s the same with harvest. With the hard seed coat, once they dry down, they won’t absorb moisture as much as other beans.” Due to market challenges, Ireland chose to skip growing adzuki beans for the 2024 season. “The world market is lower than Make sure your harvesting equipment is compatible with your new crop. Matt Underwood photo
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