It’s been a fast and furious harvest pace for dry edible beans. In a typical year, Cavalier Bean Company co-owner Curt Kirking says the first loads of pinto beans come in around September 1. However as of September 5, Kirking only had 70 acres left to take in from growers he sold seed to. “The quality has been outstanding. With the dry conditions, we didn’t face a lot of disease pressure, so that was the positive side,” says Kirking. “Production is substantially less than last year, about 25 percent, but that was also an unusual year.” The pinto bean crop is averaging between 1500 and 1700 pounds per acre. While it’s a respectable crop, Kirking is waiting for an increase in pinto bean prices.
The Red River Farm Network’s Harvest Hotline coverage is sponsored, in part, by AgCountry Farm Credit Services.