Soybean harvest across Michigan has progressed swiftly since late September, with dry weather allowing farmers to move through fields with minimal delays. Industry reports indicate that commercial soybean harvest is now between 70% and 75% complete, while Michigan Ag Commodities (MAC) estimates that its deliveries are closer to 85% finished.
Most soybeans have been harvested under very dry conditions, with moisture levels dropping into the 10% range. A recent one-inch rainfall helped raise moisture content slightly to around 11–12%, but overall, soil conditions remain unusually dry. After a wet spring, much of the state slipped into drought conditions through the summer, limiting yield potential in several areas. Fields that benefited from late-season August and September rains developed additional pods and higher yields, while those that missed the rainfall experienced notable yield losses.
Reported yields have varied widely—from as low as 30 bushels per acre to as high as 80—depending on location, soil type, and variety maturity. Overall averages are expected to fall between 55 and 60 bushels per acre, a solid result considering the prolonged dryness throughout much of the growing season.
Protein content has been mixed, with less stable varieties testing lower at 40–41%, while stronger varieties have maintained levels around 42–43%. Extremely dry conditions have also affected seed coat quality, raising concerns about splitting and higher screen-out rates during processing.
