Per capita consumption of dry edible beans rose in the United States in 2006 and will likely hold steady this year, according to the USDA’s Vegetables and Melons Outlook.
“Per capita use of dry beans increased 4% in 2006 to 6.4 pounds – the second consecutive annual increase after reversing a string of five consecutive annual declines last year. Little change is currently expected in net domestic dry bean use in 2007, with supplies remaining tight and prices high.
“In 2006, gains in per capita net domestic use were noted for both white (up 14%) and nonwhite bean (up 1%) classes. White beans (navy, Great Northern, lima, and small white) accounted for 21% of all dry beans available domestically – up from 19% a year earlier but down from 31% a decade ago. Although apparent market share was lower in 2006, nonwhite beans (e.g., pinto, dark red kidney, black, etc.) Maintained their dominant market share position, led by pinto beans, black beans, and the surging popularity of garbanzo beans (kabuli chickpeas).”
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According to Thompsons’ IP Elite newsletter, Ontario’s dry bean crop is now well into blossoming with pin pods forming on some of the earlier planted beans. Plant size remains small because of the continued dry weather. The rains however were very spotty.
Michigan’s central and southern dry bean producing areas received moisture last week however other bean growing regions in the state remain dry which may cause yields to vary widely at harvest.
The Manitoba crop continues to progress rapidly. Last week brought a dry week with moderate temperatures. Fungicide spraying has stopped as dryer conditions lessened the likelihood of mold pressure.
Other disease (anthracnose) problems appear isolated at this point. Read the entire story here

A report appearing July 18th stated dry weather continued to hurt the Michigan crop the most. Just 43% of the Michigan dry bean crop was rated good to excellent as of Sunday July 14th, down 4 points from the previous week and well below the year-ago level of 67% good to excellent.

Early planted beans are now blossoming so the weekend rain will help, according to the latest Ontario dry bean update from Thompsons.
Later planted beans are somewhat uneven in the field but the crop still looks good despite the lack of rain. Rain is needed to keep the crop moving ahead.
The report goes on to say that much needed rain fell on dry bean growing areas of Michigan in the Upper Thumb and the Saginaw Valley. Showers relieved stressed crops north of M-46; with higher amounts in Bay & Huron counties. Rainfall totals varied widely and cooler temperatures took some of the stress off the crop.
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Total 2007 Ontario dry bean area was pegged at 150,000 acres
by Statistics Canada.

That compares to March intentions of just 135,000 acres but still falls below the year-ago level of 163,500 acres.

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So says Thompson’s ‘Elite’ report of July 11. Despite the hot, dry weather, edible beans look good around Ontario says this week’s crop update. Beans are now in the 3rd-5th trifoliate. Weed control is generally very good and not much leaf hopper activity is being reported. The crop, of course needs rain since blossoming is not too far off.
The Michigan also needs rain; “water is needed now, to move the crop.” the report says.
The Manitoba crop continues to progress quite nicely and most fields are coming into the early bloom stage. Outlook this week is for good warm growing conditions with a significant chance of rain.
Read the entire report here

Leafhopper nymphs are beginning to appear in low numbers.
Monitor for leafhoppers until first flower. Control if more than 1-2 leafhoppers per sweep are found. Leafhopper feeding damage will have a greater impact on bean plants that are under stress.
Hot, dry weather has caused weeds to harden off, making control more difficult. It is not advisable to reduce the rate of surfactant with the herbicide as this can significantly reduce control. In hot weather, when beans are under stress, spray in the evening when beans can better metabolize the herbicide.
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Ontario’s dry bean crop generally looks fair, says this week’s crop update from Thompsons. It says surprisingly beans are coping given lack of precipitation. But Growth rate has slowed and plants are a little shorter then normal but no serious concerns right now.
The Michigan crop remains small, but healthy for the most part. Some areas that have not received rain in 3 – 4 weeks and the crop is suffering.
The dry bean crop in Manitoba continues to develop nicely, conditions for the most party last week, were quite good. Isolated showers and thunder storms, have contributed to drown outs in low areas of the fields in most areas of the bean growing region.
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Friday’s June 29th, 2007 -USDA acreage report pegged 2007 American dry bean area at 1.498 million acres, down from 1.62 million from last year and down from 1.504 million in the spring intentions report.
Michigan farmers are forecast to plant 200,000 acres, a 12% drop from last year’s 225,000.