Scientists Identify Rust Resistance Genes in Soybeans -- Using state-of-the-art genomics techniques, a team of scientists from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Iowa State University (ISU) and Brazil have identified a cluster of soybean genes that provide resistance to the fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi, which causes Asian soybean rust (ASR).
Extended Sign-up Dates for DCP, ACRE Programs and certain CRP Contracts -- Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced that USDA has extended the sign-up deadline from June 1, to Aug. 14, 2009, for both the Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP) and the forthcoming Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program.
Weed Control Issues -- The excessive moisture and flooding this spring may impact weed management this spring.
Farm Bill’s ACRE Program: Should You Enroll? -- The signup deadline for the ACRE (Average Crop Revenue Program) has been extended to August 14. ACRE is designed to provide an optional alternative for crop producers to the countercyclical price support program.
The Bean Scene -- Domestic promotion activities in the Northarvest region.
Fertilizer Considerations after Flooding -- Many producers had planting delays in the Red River Valley this spring due to record overland flooding and untimely rain showers. How will this affect their fertilizer decisions?
Disease Outlook for 2009 -- By Sam Markell and Rubella Goswami, Department of Plant Pathology, NDSU
2008 Dry Bean Variety Trials -- Review the 2008 Dry Bean Performance Testing Results compiled by Hans Kandel, Extension Agronomist, NDSU Department of Plant Sciences.
2009 Northarvest Directory -- Looking for key contacts in the bean industry? You can find them in our 2009 directory. The directory includes bean organizations, seed bean suppliers and commercial buyers, and bean researchers and research leaders.
The Heat Cranked Up, Water Spigot Turned Down -- Still, many bean fields were looking good heading into August, with generally better moisture conditions north, but needing rain to build yield.
Chippewa Valley Bean -- From a 150-cow dairy next to a frog pond to a vertically-integrated bean business with about 30% of the U.S. dark red kidney market - "Not bad for a small family business in west Central Wisconsin.
The Fight for FAV -- Dry bean leaders are optomistic about the industry's number one farm bill priority - retention of the fruit and vegetable (FAV) planting restriction for non-program crops on program crop acres. By: Tracy Sayler
Scouting and Managing the "D Word" -- It's been a wet start to the growing season, so keep an eye on what may be the most dreaded D word in dry edible bean production - disease
Flying Planes, Farming Plains -- What We've Learned about the Bean Industry and Other Things (So Far)Jason and Sara Hinkle, Cavalier, ND
By: Tracy Sayler
The Last Word -- Fall-Out from the Chick Flick King Aero-Bean Incident. By: Tracy Sayler
Spring 2007
A Peek at '07 Planting Intentions -- A few grower directors on the board of Northarvest Bean share their early March thoughts on what they're hearing about planting intentions in their neck of the woods. Not surprisingly, corn dominates the discussion.
Pinto, Navy Prices Reflecting Supplies -- Storage of pinto beans especially continues to look profitable, due to tighter stocks and intense competition for acres in '07.
NDSU Has a New Bean Breader -- Juan Osorno's experience at NDSU,Puerto Rico, and at the largest bean breeding program in the world leads him to be an excellent selection.
Acreage Stability -- Those two words sum up what the dry bean industry wants most from the next farm bill.
The 2006 Dry Bean Harvest -- Dry and Hot - that pretty much sums up the growing season for many edible bean producers in the Northarvest area.
By: Marlene Dufault
A Brighter Market Picture Set for Beans -- A decline in '06 production combined with larger export volume sets the stage for a rebound in edible bean prices.
Scouting Dry Bean Diseases -- Five for your watch list, including white mold -- keeping an eye on the weather and scouting just prior to and during bloom will help with spray decisions.
Six Northarvest Bean Priorities for 2006 -- Priorities include the new Farm Bill; new plant breeder; pathologist; national organization consolidation; exports/food aid; domestic promotion; and communications.
The Bean Fitness Plan -- Dry bean growers tout health benefits and search for non-food uses.
By: E.M. Morrison
The 2005 Bean Harvest -- Reports from growers and elevators around the Northarvest Bean area find that despite some bean crops dogged by weather, it was a better crop than expected.
One Roof, One Voice -- Advantages and efficiencies seen with consolidation of national dry bean groups into one.
Asian rust alert: -- U.S. experts issue alert on Asian soybean rust.
Canada likely to plant more acres -- The Ontario Bean Producers Marketing Board's web site contains the following projections for planted acres in Canada this year.
Dry bean improvement for the Northern Plains -- Principal Investigator - Kenneth Grafton, Professor, Department of Plant Sciences, Dean, College of Agriculture, Director, North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Stations, NDSU
Talkin' Beans -- News from around the Dry Bean Industry.
Middle East sales -- Many think exports to Iraq will rise as the country stabilizes.
Insect Guide -- Compiled by Phil Gloza, NDSU extension entomologist, in cooperation with Janet Knodel, Mark Boetel, Denise Olson and Gary Brewer, Department of Entomolgy, NDSU
Bean Day Elections -- Board elections will take place at Bean Day 2005 for Districts 3, 6 and 9.
Dry beans are smart fuel for low-carb diets -- The American Dry Bean Board distributed the following feature article to food editors about how dry beans fit into popular low-carb diets.
Talkin' Beans -- News from around the Dry Bean Industry.
Love those beans! -- Brian Love looks to beans to keep 120-year-old family farm going for the next generation.
Northarvest eyes new uses for dry beans -- The Northarvest Bean Growers Assn launched a new effort this year to seek and develop industrial uses for dry beans.
Other Priorities - Committees -- Northarvest board members work in several other areas besides market development, domestic promotion, research and communications. The following are additional committees.
Talking Beans. -- Mayor Richard Daley declares Oct. 21 Bean Day in Chicago. North Dakota Ag Experiment Station Releases first black bean variety; and Jim Fitzgerald is remembered.
Mexico's crop outlook. -- The season south of the border started out great, but in two major bean producing states too much rain has reduced the size and quality of the crop.
Disaster aid - how much, when? -- Congress passed and the President signed disaster aid, but how to administer the program is being worked on. Here's what we know and what you can plan for.
Update on Brazil. -- Production is down slightly and one company has toyed witht he idea of buying U.S. black beans.
Market News -- USDA projects significant losses in North Dakota's and Minnesota's bean crops. Production in other states is down, too, due to fewer planted acres.
August - September 2004
Talking Beans. -- Find out what beans had to do with the Democratic National Convention, and which pulse-powered Olympic contestant to watch for in Athens, plus everything you wanted to know about baked beans.
Ad campaign rolls into Minneapolis. -- The "Who's Laughing Now?" campaign to promote dry beans lands in the Twin Cities. See what happened on Nicolett Mall.
Five steps to measuring field losses. -- All the charts and instructions you need to make sure you aren't leaving too many pounds of beans in the field.
Bean Basics - Harvest tips from A to Z. -- Here's advice from the North Dakota State University Extension Service for beginners and experienced growers on harvesting dry beans.
Drainage Tip -- Use the land planer after low-residue crop like beans.
The latest research. -- What studies show on bean breakage and other harvest matters.
Natural gas & beans -- The combination caught the attention of Sacramento consumers on the receiving end of the "Who's Laughing Now?" campaign.
Talkin' Beans -- Bean campaign wins outdoor advertising award; scientists say there's good news about soybean rust and the threat it poses to dry beans; the FM RedHawks'baseball game July 8 will feature a Northarvest's bean promotion.
New Product -- Portable conveyor fits in bins to move dry beans gently.
Team up for better yields -- Rodger Nygaard, a Reynolds, North Dakota, bean grower, talks with Centrol Crop Consultant Doug Lenz, Buxton, North Dakota.
Wade Bruns, Oriska, N.D. -- Wade finds the right fit for dry beans on his farm and has devised some management practices that work with his labor, equipment and budget.
Bean Day 2004 -- The 29th Annual Bean Day schedule for January 22-23, 2004.
Talking Beans. -- Northarvest's new "Who's Laughing Now" campaign heads to Boston in January; USDA approves navy beans for food aid to Iraq; Mexico proposes program for bean growers with fewer than 10 hectares of beans.
New Markets. -- Bird Island Bean looks high and low for new markets.
Beans and health. -- Researchers find evidence that beans can reduce the risk of some cancers, heart disease and diabetes.
Commentary. -- The North American navy industry needs to look beyond canning to increase demand.
Grower profile. -- Jon Ewy really likes to stay busy. This former corporate pilot and management executive juggles dairy heifer, container shipping and dry bean operations.
Selling beans. -- Penn Foods, Fertile, Minn., increases sales with a bean soup mix that is just like Grandma used to make.
Yield trials. -- results are coming in and here's where you can get the report.
Talking Beans. -- A Michigan bean dealer faces fraud charges for buying foreign-grown black beans and rebagging them as U.S. product. Bean Day is around the corner.
Who's laughing now? -- The Northarvest Bean Growers Association's new campaign uses a jiggle to draw people into the pitch about beans. A new promotion campaign kicked off in Fargo. Next stop - Beantown, USA.
Hunting for the Super Bean -- The Northarvest Bean Growers Association is organizing conferences to look into new food, parmaceutical and industrial uses for beans.
Export Roundup -- A compilation of where U.S. bean exports went in the first half of 2002. Who's buying and why might surprise you.
2004 Seed Outlook -- Supplies appear to be adequate, thanks to good growing conditions in North Dakota and Wyoming. New worries have emerged over Anthracnose.
Valor Victory -- A $60,000.00 investment by the Northarvest Bean Growers Association to find a suitable desiccant is paying off. Researchers have identified Valor as the most promising compound and a North Dakota board is funding research to gather data to support the label request.
Talking Beans -- Mark your calendar. Bean Day is around the corner. Other items: There's money to be made in Algeria, if traders can avoid the many pitfalls, and Indian scientists discover that irradiating beans reduces flatulence.
Oh so good. -- The Northarvest Bean Growers Association brings scientists, plant breeders and others together to talk about the nutritional quality of beans and how to improve it.
Love those beans! -- U.S. consumption is close to near record levels. USDA breaks the numbers down by classes of beans, regions of the country and ethnic groups.
USDA crop report -- The government projects production by bean class.
Beans in coal country -- Brent Petersen explains how he saves moisture and deals with unique soils to poduce a crop that is consistently the most profitable on his central North Dakota farm.
Big effort made to re-open Mexican border -- Efforts were made at the highest levels of USDA and USTR to convince Mexico to lift its four-month-old ban on U.S. dry bean imports.
2003 disease watch -- Here's what to look for and how to manage four major dry bean diseases this year.
Test harmonization on dry beans? -- A Canadian group wants the pulse industry to volunteer to try a new way of registering and labeling crop protection chemicals.
Bean Day production update -- Researchers at bean Day report good news on trials involving inoculation, root rot control, weed control and white mold screening.
Bean Day market outlook -- Experts offer ideas on how the navy market has changed, whether Mexico will import more U.S. pintos this year and what the U.S. has to do now to get Cuba to buy more dry beans.
Imports Soar -- The U.S. is the biggest importer of dry beans in the world. And last year, imports poured in from Canada, South America and even China.
Northern Rules -- Attention to detail keeps surprises at bay on the Dunnigan farm.
Export Outlook -- Conditions are ripe for strong exports. Africa's dry bean production is down and demand is strong.
$65 per cwt pintos -- The price of 20-pound bags of pinto beans in an Albuquerque, N.M. grocery store is eye-catching. But the processor says it's hard to get the quality needed for the market and the margins are tight.
Development of Dry Bean Populations with Possible Resistance to White Mold -- The objective is to identify new sources of genetic resistance to white mold in dry bean and to move that resistance into germplasm adapted to the Northarvest region that can be used by the breeding program for future cultivar development.
Resistance to Bean Rust -- The objective is to combine other resistance genes with Ur-3 in future cultivar releases to prevent bean rust from overcoming genetic resistance offered by Ur-3.
Weed Control in Dry Beans -- The objective is to evaluate herbicide options for controlling weeds in dry beans.
January-February 2003
Plan to Attend Bean Day 2003 -- Plan to Attend the 28th Annual Bean Day set for January 23-24 at the Fargo Holiday Inn.
Talkin' Beans -- Word to the wise about dry bean seed and the plant variety protection law; ND Department of Ag pursues labels for special crops; and dry beans make Martha Stewart Living.
Beans & Blossoms -- James Koester's dry bean fields are impressive alone, and he sets them off with a border of flowers. That makes a combination that attracts lots of attention.
Here's help in figuring fair land rental rates -- The latest upgrade to the University of Minnesota’s FairRent software can help farmers incorporate 2002 Farm Bill provisions into land rental decisions.
Pathologist Identifies Race 73 Anthracnose Variety in Region -- A plant pathologist with the North Dakota State University has discovered the race 73 variety of anthracnose in the state of North Dakota and warns this strain can infect the most commonly planted cultivars in North Dakota and Minnesota.
USDA Economic Research Service: Dry Bean Outlook -- The estimate of 2002 U.S. dry edible bean production was increased this month to 30.2 million cwt--54 percent above the drought-shortened crop of a year ago.
November-December 2002
Members OK Walton Sale -- The Associated Press reported in mid-October that Walton Bean Growers Cooperative members voted to confirm their board of directors' decision to sell the co-op's assets and to dissolve the cooperative.
Seed Supply: Some Short -- The year could have been a disaster for dry bean seed production. It was too dry in much of the western states and too wet in the Red River Valley.
Any new varieties in 2003? -- That’s the question Northarvest Bean Grower posed to Ken Grafton, North Dakota State Univeristy (NDSU) plant breeder and director of the North Dakota Experiment Station.
Bean Crazy -- Mike Beltz loves growing dry beans -- and it shows.
Northarvest Exhibits at National Extension Conference -- Lynne Bigwood, Northarvest’s Home Economist, and Margie Janke, LRD, attended the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences conference in Kansas City, Missouri, Oct. 8-9, 2002.
Be'an Smart -- Curriculum kit introduces fun ways to use beans in classroom.
Farm Bill: Questions & Answers -- A series of questions and answers that have surfaced from producers and landowners regarding Base Acre decisions in the new Farm Program.
Bean Day set for January 23-24 -- The 28th annual Northarvest Bean Day is set for Jan.23-24 at the Fargo, N.D., Holiday Inn.
Few Growing Season Surprises -- Blight showed up in some fields in 2002 where farmers planted bin-run seed. But no new pest problems emerged, says Carl Bradley, NDSU extension plant pathologist.
Cuba Trip Yields Small Sale, Big Contacts -- By participating in the U.S. Food and Agricultural Products Exposition, Northarvest completes its effort to lay a solid foundation to sell beans to Cuba -- if and when all the trade restrictions are lifted.
Market News From Mexico -- The National Dry Bean Council provides an update on bean production and demand in Mexico.
Talkin' Beans -- A new North Dakota Dry Bean Crop Report to air on area radio stations with updates on harvest, prices and crop conditions; dry bean breeder takes new post; Northarvest bean recipe photo wins award; NDBC team checks out food aid potential for dry beans; and what a Mexican bean harvest looks like.
Striving for Better Beans -- Mike Beelner monitors a pivot irrigator in one of his dark red kidney bean fields in northern Minnesota.
The Cuba Connection -- The Northarvest brokered deal is being called "historic" and may mark the beginning of signficant dry bean trade with Cuba. A market analyst provides a primer to help you understand the Cuban bean market.
Talking Beans -- A new label for Reflex; Hattie Melvin re-elected and Jim Sletten elected to North Dakota Dry Bean Council; Mexico announces second import auction; and a new extension plant pathologist begins work in dry beans.
Association invited to meet with major U.S. canner of dry bean -- Northarvest Bean Growers Association directors will soon meet with representatives of Bush Brothers & Company, Knoxville, Tennessee, to discuss the recent trends in the navy bean business that appear to be depressing the navy market.
Northarvest participates in “farm to fork” -- The Northarvest Bean Growers Association helped show 2,300 fourth grade students from Minnesota and North Dakota where food comes from.
Prospective Acreage Up 24 Percent -- As expected, U.S. growers have indicated they intend to plant significantly more dry beans in 2002--acreage could rise 24 percent to 1.77 million.
April 2002
Breeding Dry Beans for the Northern Plains -- The objective of the dry bean breeding program at North Dakota State University is to develop high yielding, high quality bean genotypes adapted to the northern Great Plains.
Control of Biennial Wormwood in Dry Bean -- Research was conducted in 2000 and repeated in 2001 to identify the best control options for biennial wormwood control in dry bean using registered and experimental herbicides.
Natural Air Drying of Pintos -- Dry edible beans should be harvested at higher moisture contents to minimize mechanical damage, minimize losses such as beans left in the field during harvest, and to minimize quality loss such as beans becoming darker.
Pinto Bean Storage to Maintain Quality -- Pinto beans were obtained from a farmer at about 20% moisture and dried to the desired moisture contents of 14%, 16% and 18% wet basis. The beans were stored in covered 5 gallon pails for 10 months at 20°F, 40°F, 60°F and 80°F.
Harvest Moisture to Maintain Dry Edible Bean Quality -- Six farmer cooperators and Bob Henson at the Carrington Research and Extension Center collected samples of pinto beans harvested at various moisture contents and harvest dates during the fall of 2001. The beans were evaluated for mechanical damage using a standard screening and visual separation procedure.
Northarvest 2001 Research Report -- A study was conducted to observe weed control and dry bean injury from Raptor applied with several experimental adjuvants compared to standard products available today.
Dry Edible Beans Output to Rise in 2002 -- Low stocks and higher prices stemming from last year's small crop are expected to lead a substantial increase in dry bean acreage this spring.
Talkin' Beans -- News from around the dry bean industry.
A "Bean-Tastic" New Website -- Northarvest's new, improved website features price, market and production updates.
Bean Day Photo Roundup -- Interesting exhibits and good food featuring dry beans were part of the 27th annual Northarvest Bean Growers Bean Day.
Cuba Potential -- Northarvest members see the market first-hand and meet future buyers.
More Than Lucky -- Drawing a winning ticket at Bean Day helped Randy Carow get started in the bean business. His lucky streak is still going.
Hot Talks -- Here's what's new in varieties, white mold and weed control, bean color research and the spread of Anthracnose.
French Companies Begin Random Residue Testing -- The French dry legume industry has begun a random testing program in which dry legumes imported from all over the world will be analyzed for pesticide residue and traces of heavy metals.
Tight Supplies Indicated -- Supplies of U.S. dry edible beans will be much smaller than a year ago and will stand in stark contrast to the high levels of the past several years.
The U.S. Dry Bean Market In 2001/02 -- U.S. dry bean harvested area has been slowly trending upward over the past 2 decades. However, acreage in 2001 was well below the indicated long-run trend level.
U.S. Exports Up 9.5% in Fiscal 2001 -- Exports of dry beans increased over the past year according to this report from John Parker, a former USDA dry bean market analyst.
Crop Down 26% -- USDA says U.S. dry bean production is smallest since 1988
Always Bullish on Beans -- The Slettens combine good soils, innovative production practices and dedicated people to produce competitive dry bean crops.
Hattie Melvin’s Way With Bean Cookies and Bars -- After the feature article in the last magazine about “Hattie Melvin’s Way” with dry bean promotion and work, it seemed like a good idea to ask her to share the recipes for the bean cookies she serves.
Northarvest Exhibits at National Extension Meeting -- The Northarvest Bean Growers Association exhibited at the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) conference in Portland, Oregon, Oct. 2, 2001.
November 2001
Bean Supplies Fall 500,000 MT Below Average -- Supply availability of all classes of dry edible beans, with the exception of garbanzo beans, is down in the United States this year.
Dry Beans Eligible for Quality Loss Program -- If you had quality losses of 20% or more in your 2000 dry bean crop, you may be eligible for payment under the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Quality Loss Program.
USDA’s Bean Outlook -- Cut in production and rise in exports may combine to increase prices
Brazil Bears Watching -- Crop is down and carryover is three times less than a year ago
Promotion Efforts -- NBGA participates in national trade shows to promote beans.
Bullish Bean Market News -- North American dry edible bean markets continued advancing at press time, with the U.S. dry edible bean spot market index ending the week up six points at 651.
Markets Becoming Tensely Coiled -- The industry is said to be looking for something to signal higher prices. This analyst says the bean market is “tightly coiled.”
Cuba Buys Beans From Everyone But Us -- Just 90 miles off the coast of Florida, Cuba imports a significant amount of dry beans from Canada, South America, Mexico and China.
Tips For a Successful Bean Harvest -- Check the list to make sure you haven’t forgotten something that could help you bin a few more hundred weight and cut down on damage.
June-July 2001
US Bean Production Outlook -- A private analyst offers his outlook for 2001 dry bean production in the U.S. He sees acreage being cut.
New value-added venture -- A Garrison, N.D.-based group of dry bean and pea growers hope to build a legume flour plant to add value to their legumes. They are currently holding an equity drive.
Colorado industry confronts challenges -- One of Colorado’s long-time bean industry leaders urges the state to come up with ways to make the crop more profitable in the face of Canadian and Minnesota-North Dakota competition and rising energy costs for irrigation.
Do you know beans about food safety? -- Food safety starts with you: So says a Northarvest canner. Faribault Foods goes to great lengths to assure that the products it sells are the highest quality and meet the highest food safety standards. Roundup residue is a growing concern says this canner.
Try a Shanghai salad -- Shanghai salad is one of the recipes developed and published by Manning, Selvage and Lee for Northarvest’s effort to reach college dining services with new bean recipes.
Promotion Efforts -- The Northarvest Bean Growers Association promoted beans at several events in the region recently.
Disease Control Tips -- Here are common questions about controlling dry bean diseases that area extension agents receive every year. Art Lamey, NDSU extension plant
pathologist, offers the answers.
Help identify rust races -- Rust races are constantly changing. You can help identify rust races by sending samples to North Dakota State University.
Talkin' Beans -- North Dakota Dry Bean Council and Minnesota Dry Bean Research Council announce recent election results.
Breeding Dry Beans for the Northern Plains, 2000 -- A new greenhouse that the Northarvest Bean Growers Association helped build came on line. It approximately doubled the space available for the dry bean breeding program. Scientists made approximately 700 unique hybridizations involving nine market classes and exotic seed types. They also continued to screen lines for disease resistance, conducted yield trials at seven locations in Minnesota and North Dakota, planted breeding nurseries and used an off- season nursery in Puerto Rico to speed variety development.
Calcium in White Mold Management of Dry Bean 2000 -- Calcium applied alone and with fungicide helped reduce white mold levels and increase yields in some trials. However, in one experiment applying calcium alone had no significant effect on white mold levels.
Potential Sources of Resistance to White Mold -- Scientists evaluated over 100 dry bean lines from Central and South America for resistance to white mold and crossed several with the variety Othello.
Control of Biennial Wormwood in Dry Bean -- Researchers tested the herbicides Spartan, Valor, Python, Broadstrike + Dual, Reflex and Raptor for their ability to control biennial wormwood.
Evaluating NDSU Breeding Material for Reaction to Anthracnose -- Kidney bean varieties developed the highest level of infection when exposed to two Anthracnose strains. Cranberries were next. Pintos and navies had the least amount of infection.
Spartan and Reflex Use in Dry Bean -- In these trials, Reflex and Spartan herbicides gave excellent broadleaf weed control with adequate dry bean safety. They also were effective on ALS resistant weeds.
Dry Bean Grower Survey, 2000 -- The annual survey of dry bean production practices showed nightshade, ragweed, root rot, white mold and leaf hopper to be the top pests.
Magazine Archives
Previous issues of the Northarvest Bean Grower are available below in PDF format. To view these files, you’ll need to download and install the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.
