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Dry edible bean market stability helps farmer’s bottom line

A farmer in northwest Minnesota says a stable dry edible bean market is helping him stay profitable while corn and soybean prices slump.

Bryan Klabunde grows a variety of crops in Mahnomen County, and is wrapping up navy bean harvest with above-average yields.

“When you get into the northern Red River Valley, there was a lot of excess rain and there’s a lot of edible beans grown up in that area.  So they’re looking for beans around here and it’s really put some support into that market.”

He tells Brownfield the market for dry edible beans can be fickle, so maximizing acres is a challenge.

Klabunde is preparing to harvest soybeans and corn next.

“With the corn and soybean markets where they’re at, if we didn’t have the bushels that we’re having this year it would really be a tough go for a lot of guys.  But thankfully we at least have the bushels, that’s the one thing we can control I guess.  (I mean) we can’t control it, but it’s one thing that makes it a lot easier to function.”

Klabunde says most farmers in his area anticipate good yields for corn and soybeans this fall.