Dry bean research is at the stage where producers should take a closer look at its production, according to Bert Vandenberg, a pulse crop breeder at the Crop Development Centre at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.
“Now is the time to get interested in growing dry beans. At the same time, however, my message to producers is “Think big, start small,” he said.
“There is a big, big market but you have to produce the quality. There is a steep learning curve in the production of dry bean. It’s a new crop and is unforgiving about timing. It is frost sensitive, so must be seeded within a certain 10-day window of opportunity around the end of May in order to avoid frost at both ends of the growing season.”
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Vandenberg also stressed that dry bean seed must be handled gently because it can be dry and brittle. The product is a whole seed – not ground – for human consumption.
“Therefore, harvest timing is important: moisture content is critical. But anyone who does a good job of growing lentils can do a good job of beans. Timing is everything.”
Although trials in the early 1930s showed dry beans grew well in Saskatchewan, they were not produced on a large scale because of a lack of early varieties with good pod clearance and lack of specialized equipment. Breeding programs have addressed the first problem, and two western Canadian companies have now made harvesters available. Vandenberg said a suitable reel, called the Unreel, is a year away from marketing.
Now, he said, some good pioneer growers are required.
“It may not be a crop for everyone, but we do want producers to look closely at it. I think we have a sleeping giant ….
“We need many producers trying it and helping all of us to learn from each other.
“There is definitely a risk factor – rainfall in late July and early August is critical – but there is a price advantage, about 25 cents a pound, which is a reflection of the care that must be taken.
“As well, the infrastructure for marketing is already in place, so that’s not a problem,” said Vandenberg.
