The Secret Weapon for Higher Soybean Yields: 3 Reasons You Must Scout Before You Harvest

Every farmer knows the excitement that comes with seeing their soybean field turn golden brown.

It’s a beautiful sight, pods hanging heavy, leaves drying off, and the promise of cashing out soonest right there on your farm.

But hold on… before you rush to call the harvester or hire labourers, let’s talk about one simple but powerful step that separates average farmers from smart, yield-maximising farmers: Pre-harvest Soybeans Scouting.

This is the quiet “inspection mission” that can determine whether you’ll smile to the bank or shake your head at disappointing soybean yields.

Let’s break down what pre-harvest soybeans scouting really means, and more importantly, the three major reasons it’s your secret weapon for higher soybean yields with real-life examples from farms just like yours.

 

 

1. Pre-Harvest Soybean Scouting Helps You Detect Hidden Pest and Disease Damage Before It’s Too Late

Most soybean farmers think the battle with pests ends after flowering. Big mistake.
At the pre-harvest stage, several sneaky enemies still lurk around your field: pod borers, stink bugs, pod-sucking bugs, and even late-stage fungal infections like anthracnose and rust.

If you don’t scout before harvest, these pests can quietly rob you of yield and grain quality.

 

Real-life situation in one of the farms in Benue state, a high soybean-producing state in Nigeria:
Last season in Benue State, a farmer named John Abutu noticed his soybean pods were maturing earlier than expected.

He assumed it was a good sign and started harvesting immediately. But when he began threshing, almost 25% of his pods were empty, eaten from the inside by pod borers he never noticed.

Another farmer in Nasarawa, which is another good soybean-producing state in Nigeria, who took his time to engage in pre-harvest soybean scouting, found similar pest signs, early holes on pods, shrivelled beans, and dark spots.

He quickly applied a light insecticide and delayed harvest by a week. His yield ended up 15% higher, simply because he checked in on time.

The Lesson learnt here is that: A few minutes of walking through your soybeans field before harvest can save you from invisible yield losses that could cost you a whole bag or more per hectare.

 

 

Related article:

Maize and Soybeans Master plan: How to Outsmart Pests, Weather, and Market Fluctuations This Season

Cashing In With Soybeans Farming, Why You Need To Re-Visit It.

Why It Is Important You Re-Visit Soybeans Farming

 

2. Pre-Harvest Soybean Scouting Helps You Choose the Perfect Harvest Timing for Maximum Yield and Quality

Timing is everything in soybean harvest. Harvest too early, and your beans will be immature, with high moisture content that makes them spoil easily.

Wait too long, and pod shattering begins. Your hard-earned soybeans fall to the ground and get lost forever.

Pre-harvest soybeans scouting helps you strike that sweet spot when the pods are dry, the beans are firm, and the moisture is just right for safe harvesting.

 

 

This is another Real-life example in yet another high-soybean-producing state in Nigeria:
In Kaduna, a women’s initiative cooperative society lost nearly 18% of its yield because they harvested late.

When they arrived at the field, the pods had already cracked open under the hot sun, and many soybeans had dropped to the soil.

Another farmer, Omeiza John from Kogi state, ensures that he engages in pre-harvest soybean scouting of his field two weeks before harvest.

He noticed that while the top pods were brown, the lower pods were still a bit green. He decided to wait five more days.

The result? Uniform maturity, higher quality grains, and an easy threshing process.

The perfect Lesson learnt here is that: Soybeans don’t all mature at the same time. Scouting helps you observe which sections of the field are ready and plan your harvest date smartly to reduce losses.

 

Related article:

Farming with Little Rain? Discover 5 Proven Ways to Grow Crops in Drought-Prone Areas

Stop Selling Raw Crops! 5 Value-Added Agriculture Ideas That Will Skyrocket Your Farm Income

Maize and Soybeans Master plan: How to Outsmart Pests, Weather, and Market Fluctuations This Season

 

 

3. Pre-Harvest Soybean Scouting Guides You in Planning Harvest Operations and Avoiding Costly Mistakes Mostly Made by Some Soybean Farmers.

Pre-harvest soybean scouting is not just about looking at plants; it’s about planning. It gives you firsthand information about your field condition, crop uniformity, weed situation, and harvest readiness.

Before harvest, pre-harvest soybean scouting helps you decide:

• Which section to harvest first (especially if your field matured unevenly).
• Whether to clear paths for easy machine access.
• If you need extra hands for manual harvesting.
• Whether your storage or drying area is ready for the expected volume.

 

Another explicit real-life example:
Grace, a soybean farmer in Taraba state, another soybean-producing belt in Nigeria, walked her field a week before harvest and noticed a waterlogged patch where the pods were still damp.

Instead of harvesting everything at once, she harvested the dry areas first, waited three days, and then finished the rest.
This simple adjustment saved her from mouldy beans that would have reduced her market quality and price.

On the other hand, a neighbour who didn’t scout went in blind; his harvester got stuck in the wet section, wasting diesel, time, and part of his crop.

Pre-harvest soybean scouting helps you prepare your logistics properly. It prevents unnecessary expenses, delays, and grain losses caused by poor field awareness.

 

Related article:
Why You Should Utilize the Value Added Products of Maize for Maximum Profit

The Feed Battle Every Farmer Faces: 7 Hidden Truths about Factory-Made vs. Home-Made Poultry Feed

6 Health-Boosting Benefits of Farming You Need to Know

 

 What to Look Out for During Pre-Harvest Soybean Scouting Before Harvest

If you’re wondering what exactly to observe during pre-harvest soybean scouting, here’s a simple checklist you can use:

• Check pod colour: – 95% of pods should have turned brown before harvesting.
• Check bean firmness: – Mature beans are hard and rattle when you shake the pod.
• Watch for pod shattering signs: – If pods crack open easily, it’s time to harvest immediately.
• Look for pest or disease symptoms: – Holes, black spots, mould, or shrivelled beans.
• Inspect moisture and field condition: – Ensure the soil isn’t too wet to avoid machine damage.
• Observe uniformity: – Note sections that may need extra days before full maturity.

 

In Summary

Remove Laziness from your life completely when you Scout Today, You will definitely Smile Tomorrow

Soybean farming rewards the farmer who pays attention, not the one who guesses.
Pre-harvest soybean scouting is like doing a “final inspection” before taking your goods to market.

It’s your last opportunity to protect your yield, ensure top quality, and prepare properly for harvest.

So before you send in labourers or hire a combine harvester, as the case may be, take a slow, observant walk across your field with your hat on, notebook in your hand, and eyes wide open.
That peaceful walk might just be the most profitable step you take all season.

Final Word to You, a Soybean Farmer:
Next time your soybean field turns golden, don’t rush. Scout first harvest second. That’s the real secret to bumper harvests and confident smiles at the weighing scale.