More growers are considering an alternative crop like edible beans — some for profitability, some for sustainability.

Managing edible beans

Three growers share their challenges and management strategies

Edible beans occupy that curious class of cropping interest. They’re not a conventional, rotational crop like corn, wheat or soybeans. They’re grown in multiple classes and they tend to require […] Read more

Chickpeas. (CalypsoArt/iStock/Getty Images)

USDA confirms larger U.S. lentil/pea/chickpea crops

Edible bean production down slightly with lower seeded area, yield

Final production estimates for the past growing season from the United States Department of Agriculture confirmed larger lentil, dry pea and chickpea crops in the country in 2023/24 compared to the previous year, as yields improved for all three crops. However, edible bean production was down slightly as both yields and seeded area were down for the crop.

Corn growth from Adam Pfeffer’s demonstration plots in 2023.

Crop monitoring projects yield important data

Continuous monitoring projects aim to provide benchmark and understanding on performance of corn, soybeans and edible beans

The search is ongoing for more information about crop yields and the reasons they change from one year to the next. It’s a bit of a cruel twist that, as […] Read more



Two soybean varieties with varying levels of white mould tolerance. The less tolerant variety (right), is completely ruined by white mould. Image taken in Eastern Ontario in early September.

White mould troubling for some regions

Mixed impact on soybean crop, but greater damage on dry beans

Wet and warm summer weather brings two things to southwestern Ontario: mosquitoes and disease pressure. Both were abundant during an early September Pioneer soybean plot tour in Essex County. For […] Read more