The last of Arkansas’ soybeans should be harvested in early December. Exhausted growers, says Jeremy Ross, Arkansas Extension soybean specialist, will be happy to see the back of the season.

“Everyone is worn out with this long season. Thankfully, we’re wrapping up. Every day more producers are parking their combines for the year. About 10 days ago, some of the growers in the south” began the trend.

On Dec. 1, “I spoke with a producer in the Arkansas River Valley who had a typical situation: 30 acres that he was hoping to finish today.”

Many years, growers will have a short break between harvest and land prep. “Not this year. Farmers are jumping off their combine and going straight to a disk. Where it’s dry enough they’re reshaping fields and smoothing ruts. Everyone is very tired and looking forward to next year and the Christmas break.”

What about quality?

“Quality has turned around for the Group 5s, which held together much better than the 4s. Now, I’m not hearing nearly the concerns or complaints like when mature 4s sat out there in all that wet weather.”

What kind of yields are being cut?

“Yields are up and down. Some growers are seeing yields a little better than they’ve had in the past. For others that isn’t the case and they’re disappointed. A lot depends on planting dates, maturity group and damage during the season. Overall, considering the challenging year we’ve had, our soybeans aren’t as bad as many expected.”