Effect of Hurricane Helene on US soybean production

Hurricane Helene reached Florida's coast on September 26, 2024, resulting in strong winds and heavy rainfall over a 4-day period throughout the eastern United States. The objective of this report is to document the prevalence of damage to soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production after Hurricane Helene. Hurricane damage to soybean plants was variable depending on prior weather conditions and crop stage. Reported damage included: lodging (plants leaning or falling over), green stem (stems remain green while plant is physiologically mature), pod shatter (opening prior to harvest), sprouting (seeds germinating), and seed damage (cracked, shriveled, and discolored). Although extreme weather events are unavoidable, timely harvest is extremely important to help reduce damage. While soybean plants may exhibit green stem or other conditions undesirable for harvest, delaying harvest after seeds reach 13% moisture leave them vulnerable to damage from excessive rainfall events, such as Hurricane Helene.