Propagation
Soybean is propagated directly from seed. If seeds are planted in a field where soybean has not been grown in the 3–5 year previous, they should first be inoculated with nitrogen fixing bacteria. The seedbed should be prepared prior to planting by removing any crop residue, weeds and large stones. Tilling the soil helps to break up large clods of earth. Seeds may be sown mechanically or by hand. In tilled soils, seeds are usually planted at a depth 3.2–4.5 cm (1.25 to 1.75 inch) in rows spaced 30 cm (11.8 inch) apart. Alternatively, no-till planting may be used to plant seeds in the stubble of a previous crop without first cultivating the soil. With this method, seeds are drilled into the soil in rows spaced 17.8 cm (7 inch) apart. No-till practices reduce soil erosion and reduce the loss of moisture in the soil.
General care and maintenance
Weeds are often a problem in soybean fields and can be reduced through good preparation of the seedbed and maintaining a weed-free seedbed for several weeks prior to planting. Weeds may be controlled with appropriate herbicides, where available, or through mechanical cultivation where necessary. Soybeans should be provided with irrigation at flowering and again at seed-set for maximum seed fill and optimal yield. Irrigation should be increased in sandy soils that do not retain as much moisture. Soybeans fix approximately half of the nitrogen they require for growth and the other half must be supplied from the soil or through fertilizer application. Soybean also requires an adequate supply of phosphorus and potassium and application rates should be based on the results of a soil test.
Harvesting
Soybeans are ready to harvest between 70 and 160 days after planting, depending on variety. Plants are ready for harvest when the leaves and stems have turned yellow and the seed pods brown to black. Soybeans for fresh use are cut while still green. Plants may be pulled by hand or cut with the use of a combine. Once cut, the seeds are removed from the pods by threshing.
Source: Soybean
Soybeans belong to the pea family. Soybeans come in many colors, including:
Source: What To Know About Soy
Soy foods come in dozens of forms. Some types of soy are used as ingredients in commercially produced food products, and other kinds of soy are sold as ready-to-eat products. Soy is available as meat substitutes, miso, soy cheese, soy mayonnaise, soymilk, soy sauce, soy yogurt, tamari, tempeh, textured soy protein (TSP) or textured vegetable protein (TVP) and tofu.
Source: The Different Types of Soy Foods
The grading established by the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) for the USA are the typical standards. Soybeans are divided into two classes based on color: yellow soybeans and mixed soybeans. Each class is divided into four numerical grades (US No. 1, 2, 3, and 4). Six factors are considered in assessing grade designation: test weight, heat damage, total damage, foreign material, splits, and soybeans of other colors. Although moisture, protein, and oil contents are not part of the official grading standards and do not affect the numerical grade, they may be specified on contracts in some markets.
As of 2020, Brazil is the top global exporting country of soybean with a 45% share or USD 28.56B in export value. Following are the United States with USD 25.52B (40%), Argentina USD 3.47B (3.7%), Paraguay USD 1.69B (3.4%) and Canada USD 1.58B (3%).
In terms of region, South America dominates with USD 31.71B with Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay on top. The United States is on top in the North America region while Ukraine in Europe. China and Ethiopia dominate the Asia and African regions respectively.
The top importing markets of soybean are:
1) China - USD $39.5B
2) Argentina - USD $1.98B
3) Netherlands - USD $1.74B
4) Thailand - USD $1.61B
5) Japan - USD $1.57B
6) Spain - USD $1.49B
Source: Better Soybean Storage Starts With Good Harvest Moisture
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Source: Soybean
The projected volume for 2020/21 is 48.9 MT, a decrease from the forecasted 62.1 MT for 2019/20 season. The forecasted beginning stocks for 2019/20 was at 62.1 MT with total available stocks forecasted at 400.4 MT. The forecasted total consumption for 2019/20 would be 351.5 MT. Therefore, the forecasted ending stocks would be at 48.9 MT. The projected beginning stocks for 2020/21 would be at 48.9 MT.