THE GROWING SEASON

From seed selection to harvest

In Missouri, the soybean growing season stretches from April to November.

Timing is key

When it comes to growing a high-quality soybean crop, planting and harvesting at the right time is important.

Planting

Depending on the location within Missouri, seed variety and weather, Missouri farmers usually plant soybeans somewhere between late April and early July. Producers consider many different factors when planting, including the depth at which the seed is planted, the width between rows and the number of seeds planted per acre.

Growing

During the growth stage, farmers scout their fields regularly looking for potential pests, weed issues and diseases. Adequate water is important during the later stages of the growing season so soybeans can reach their greatest yield potential.

Harvesting

Soybean harvest usually occurs from September through November. During this time, the fields turn from green to brown. Farmers analyze moisture of the soybeans to determine if they are ready to be harvested.

Growing a healthy plant

Each part of a healthy, productive soybean plant has a role to play in growing high-quality soybeans.

Seed

The soybean seed is planted in the ground and emerges from the soil in the form of cotyledon leaves.

Stem

The stem provides support for the growth of the plant and transports nutrients from the roots to the leaves.

Leaves

Soybean plants have one set of cotyledons, which are the first set of leaves to emerge from the seed. In addition, soybean plants have one set of unifoliate leaves. These leaves are two single leaves found near the bottom of the stem. Soybean plants then have additional sets of trifoliate leaves – the three-leaf formations found throughout the rest of the plant.

Roots

Plant roots are where a lot of the action happens. Soybean plants have a taproot system to provide stability and fibrous roots extending out to bring in nutrients. This is where nodules are found where microorganisms live that help convert minerals in the soil into nutrients usable by the plant.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW SOYBEANS FIX THEIR OWN NITROGEN

Flowers

Found on the stem and leaf branches, soybean flowers can be purple, pink or white.

Pods

Soybean pods hold and protect the protein-rich soybeans produced by the plant.

Modern agriculture practices are a part of farming every day

Seed selection, planting, plant management, harvest — modern agriculture is prevalent in these practices all along the way.

Precision Agriculture

This management system is focused on using new technology and information to precisely align inputs with crop needs.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PRECISION AG

Biotechnology

Using scientific tools and methods, including traditional breeding and genetic engineering, biotechnology enhances crops to have desired traits.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BIOTECH

Crop Nutrition and Soil Health

Making sure growing crops are getting the nutrients they need is an important part of farming. It all starts with healthy soil.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CROP NUTRITION

Soybean Varieties

There are many considerations that go into selecting the right soybean variety — length of growing season, end users and potential pest and weed pressures, just to name a few.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SOYBEAN VARIETIES

The Cost of Farming

Running a farming operation is an expensive venture – and farmers pay for it with more than just money.

FIND OUT WHAT IT COSTS TO FARM

Sustainability

Sustainability is a pillar of soybean farming. Because of sustainable farming practices, soybean farmers have been able to farm productively for generations. Building on this productivity with best practices and new technologies helps farmers leave a lasting legacy, while cultivating a safe, abundant crop.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY