#soybeans

Things were quiet while I was outside looking for my morning shot. We finally are getting some rain here in about eleven hours. 💦

I hope today goes better than yesterday, I had a real problem with fatigue yesterday and kind of laid around all day. That’s probably why I didn’t sleep so good last night. I hope things are back to normal today.

You can see the soybeans out in the field creeping up slowly because of the lack of rain. Watch then shoot up after today. You won’t be able to see field dirt then. 🙄

I started some herbal tea to brew and forgot about it. It ought to be quite potent by now. 😂

soybeans — glycine max — were introduced to zambia in the twentieth century as a commercial crop and have expanded dramatically since the 1990s, driven by growing demand for soybean meal — the protein-rich by-product of oil extraction that is the primary ingredient in commercial animal feed. zambia is now one of the largest soybean producers in southern africa, with production concentrated in eastern province — particularly chipata, lundazi, and petauke districts.

the economics are fundamentally different from maize. maize under the food reserve agency's guaranteed pricing system offers a predictable but relatively low return. soybeans, traded into the commercial animal feed market at prices set by regional supply and demand, can generate significantly higher returns when prices are favourable.

the agronomic advantage: soybeans fix nitrogen in the soil through a symbiotic relationship with bradyrhizobium japonicum bacteria living in nodules on the soybean roots. a field that has grown soybeans carries significantly higher nitrogen levels after harvest — reducing the fertiliser requirement for the next crop. in a country where fertiliser costs are one of the most significant constraints on smallholder profitability, this is not merely an agronomic nicety. it is an economic advantage.

the maize-soybean rotation: alternating maize and soybeans in the same field across seasons, reducing the maize crop's fertiliser requirement while generating soybean income and breaking disease and pest cycles. the eastern province smallholder who has adopted this rotation is producing better maize yields at lower input cost while also earning from soybeans — a double benefit the maize-only farmer cannot access.

market infrastructure: the chipata area has become one of the most commercially active agricultural zones in zambia, with aggregator traders, commodity buyers, and processing facilities creating the market access infrastructure that makes soybean production viable for smallholder farmers at scale.

the challenge: price volatility. soybean prices move with regional and international commodity markets — unlike maize under the FRA system. the farmer who cannot navigate commodity price cycles can find a commercially viable crop becoming a loss-making one in a single season.

the crop that fixes nitrogen in the soil and money in the pocket. quietly transforming the landscape of eastern province.

the zambian agriculture series continues. 🇿🇲🌾

I did not post yesterday because I was not feeling well. I did not sleep good because it felt like all the bones in my feet were just aching. I stayed off my feet most of the day and feel better now.

This morning I walked all the way out to the farm field to see what was growing because the plants are up a little higher now. Looks like soybeans was the choice this year.

I was out watering my garden already this morning because it has been dry and windy here and it looks like we have another day of the same coming.

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Disease scouting at harvest is often overlooked during a busy season, but it provides valuable insight into crop health and management decisions for future years. Pulling and assessing plants can help identify yield loss caused by specific diseases and highlight how variety selection and field practices performed throughout the season. 

Why Scout for Disease? 

Disease scouting during harvest acts as a proactive measure. According to BrettYoung Agronomic & Regulatory Services Manager Justine Cornelsen, pulling a few plants from different areas of the field ensures the whole field is represented. Examining each plant from the roots up can reveal a great deal about its health. 

“Disease scouting is a task that can tell you a lot about your variety selection and management practices from the season,” said Cornelsen. “But it also provides valuable information to help you alter practices for future years.” 

Many plant diseases create similar symptoms, such as premature ripening or plant lodging, so identifying signs of specific pathogens helps determine the true cause of damage. Reviewing environmental conditions can also help explain which diseases were most active in a given season. 

Environmental Influence on Disease 

Recent years of hot, dry summers have: 

Limited damage from sclerotinia 

Allowed verticillium stripe in canola to thrive 

When to Scout Canola 

Disease symptoms become more apparent as the crop approaches maturity. To get the most accurate assessment, plan to scout: 

Around 60% seed colour change (SCC) or swathing 

Closer to harvest when straight cutting, to better estimate yield loss from diseases such as sclerotinia and blackleg 

Using Root and Stem Assessment 

Examining roots and basal tissue can help differentiate between: 

Blackleg 

Verticillium stripe 

Root rot 

Swollen roots (galls) are a clear sign of clubroot, which should trigger changes in rotation planning, hybrid selection, and sanitation protocols. 

Key Diagnostic Indicators 

Blackleg: black spots or wedges in root cross-sections 

Verticillium stripe: greyish root tissue and later formation of microsclerotia in stems 

Sclerotinia vs. verticillium stripe: both bleach stems and make them fragile and prone to shredding 

Sclerotinia: sclerotia bodies form inside the stem 

Additional Late-Season Diseases 

Powdery mildew: produces white dust but typically little yield impact 

Alternaria pod spot: speckled, weakened pods that may cause harvest challenges 

When to Scout Soybeans 

Scout soybeans between R5 and R6 to check for foliar and stem diseases such as: 

Bacterial blight 

Septoria brown spot 

Downy mildew 

Frogeye leaf spot 

Northern stem canker 

White mould 

Pod or stem blight 

Anthracnose 

Root Issues to Watch For 

Pulling plants can reveal: 

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN): tiny lemon-shaped cysts on roots 

Phytophthora root rot (PRR): brown stem lesions that restrict movement of water and nutrients 

These diseases can be managed through appropriate variety selection. 

Disease Management 

Although yield losses cannot be prevented at harvest, scouting results provide valuable information for: 

Future crop planning 

Product selection 

Understanding field-to-field yield differences 

DefendR® Traits 

When reviewing BrettYoung canola options, look for the DefendR® designation, indicating: 

Resistance to clubroot or blackleg 

Pod shatter tolerance 

BrettYoung soybean varieties also contain defensive packages for: 

PRR 

White mould 

SCN 

Learn more at brettyoung.ca. 

FAQ 

Why is disease scouting during harvest important? 

Disease scouting at harvest helps determine current yield losses due to diseases and provides valuable information for future crop management decisions. 

What is the recommended timing for scouting canola for disease? 

The best time to scout canola is at around 60% seed colour change or at swathing time to differentiate between plant diseases. For straight cutting, scouting should be done closer to harvest. 

How can you distinguish between blackleg and verticillium stripe in canola? 

Blackleg shows as black spots or wedges in the root cross section. Verticillium stripe leaves the root tissue a greyish hue and forms tiny microsclerotia in the plant stalk tissue. 

What are some common diseases to watch for in soybeans at harvest? 

Common diseases include bacterial blight, Septoria brown spot, downy mildew, frogeye leaf spot, northern stem canker, white mould, pod or stem blight and anthracnose. 

What should growers look for to identify soybean cyst nematode (SCN)? 

Growers should look for tiny, lemon-shaped cysts on the soybean plant roots that are smaller than nodules. 

How can the information gathered from disease scouting be used? 

The information collected helps guide future crop planning, product selections and explains differences in yield among fields and products. 

What disease resistance traits are present in BrettYoung canola and soybean products? 

BrettYoung canola hybrids with the DefendR designation have resistance to clubroot or blackleg and pod shatter tolerance. Soybean varieties offer resistance to PRR, white mould and SCN. 

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