Greetings, and welcome to NBGA's February 2026 newsletter!

February 10th is World Pulses Day, so we want to begin by wishing you a very Happy World Pulses Day. Pulses (e.g., dry beans, chickpeas, dry peas, lentils) are very nutritious and also play a critical role in agriculture in the Northarvest region. Thank you to all the farmers who grow this important crop - and to everyone out there eating beans and other pulses!

In this newsletter, you'll find a glimpse into what the inaugural International Sugarbeet and Dry Bean Expo (ISDBE) was like last month, a link to register for the NDSU Getting It Right Dry Bean Webinar happening on February 17th, information about the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, tasty and warming bean recipe ideas, links to episodes of the Dry Bean Scene, and much more.

Happy reading!

February 10th is World Pulses Day!

Graphic from FAO

February 2026 Newsletter Table of Contents:

• USDA Weekly Dry Bean Market Review
• Announcements
• International Sugarbeet & Dry Bean Expo a Success
• Bean Institute: It's Cold Out, So Let's Be(an) Inside
• Bean Nutrition Corner: 2025 - 2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
• Northarvest in the News and on the Move
• The Dry Bean Scene

Below, you can find links to the most recent USDA Weekly Dry Bean Market Reviews. Click on the date to see the report.

• The next USDA Weekly Dry Bean Market report will be released soon. You will be able to find that report here.

• For the Dry Edible Beans Daily Grower Bids, check here.

• February 9, 2026: "Compared to last week: Trade remained very light."

• February 2, 2026: "Compared to last week: Trade remained very light."

• January 26, 2026: "Compared to last week: Trade remained very light. According to NASS Annual Crop Production Report January 12, 2026, 2025 area harvested for dry edible beans was 1,334,600 acres and lentils was 949,000 acres and Chickpea was 520,300 acres and dry edible pea 1,063,000 acres."

NDSU Getting It Right Dry Bean Webinar

Getting It Right is an annual crop production conference featuring the latest research-based production information presented by NDSU specialists.

The 2026 Getting It Right Dry Bean Webinar will be held on February 17, 2026. You can register at the link below and find more information about other webinars in the Getting It Right series on the NDSU website.

St. Paul RO: Crop Insurance Deadline Nears for Spring Planted Crops, Whole-Farm Revenue Protection and Micro Farm

Below are excerpts from a recent news release. Click on the link below to view the full news release.

(St. Paul, Minn., Feb. 5, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds agricultural producers that the final date to apply for or make changes to their existing crop insurance coverage is quickly approaching for spring planted crops, Whole-Farm Revenue Protection, Micro Farm and some specialty crops. Sales closing dates vary by crop and location, but the next major sales closing dates are Feb. 28, March 15 and April 15.  

Producers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the upcoming crop year. Crop insurance coverage decisions must be made on or before the applicable sales closing date. 

The USDA’s Risk Management Agency lists sales closing dates in the Actuarial Information Browser, under the “Dates” tab. 

Producers can also access the RMA Map Viewer tool to visualize the insurance program date choices for acreage reporting, cancellation, contract change, earliest planting, end of insurance, end of late planting period, final planting, premium billing, production reporting, sales closing, and termination dates, when applicable, per commodity, insurance plan, type and practice. Additionally, producers can access the RMA Information Reporting System tool to specifically identify applicable dates for their operation, using the “Insurance Offer Reports” application.  

➡️ Read the full news release here.

EPA Implements Strongest Protections in Agency History for Over-the-Top Dicamba Use on Cotton and Soybeans for Next Two Growing Seasons

Below are excerpts from a recent news release. Click on the link below to view the full news release, which also contains sections on New Restrictions for 2026 Registration & Legacy Restrictions Retained on the 2026 Registration.

February 6, 2026

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the strongest protections in agency history for over-the-top (OTT) dicamba application on dicamba-tolerant cotton and soybean crops. This decision responds directly to the strong advocacy of America's cotton and soybean farmers, particularly growers across the Cotton Belt, who have been clear and consistent about the critical challenges they face without access to this tool for controlling resistant weeds in their growing crops. Dicamba has already been on the market and available for sale and in wide, continuous use on farms across the United States regardless of and prior to today’s announcement, which is specifically focused on OTT application.

When applied according to the new label instructions, EPA's analysis found no unreasonable risk to human health and the environment from OTT dicamba use. EPA recognizes that previous drift issues created legitimate concerns, and designed these new label restrictions to directly address them, including cutting the amount of dicamba that can be used annually in half, doubling required safety agents, requiring conservation practices to protect endangered species, and restricting applications during high temperatures when exposure and volatility risks increase. This determination supports a time limited approval covering only the next two growing seasons and will be subject to further review.

We will continue to track real-world outcomes, and adjust course quickly if new information emerges. EPA’s commitment is clear: protect communities and ecosystems with uncompromising science while providing farmers the tools they need to succeed responsibly.

➡️ Read the full news release here to view important details, including sections on New Restrictions for 2026 Registration & Legacy Restrictions Retained on the 2026 Registration.

Returns and costs can vary considerably between producers within a region, and projected profits vary by region and crop. The budgets estimate returns to labor and management, with no consideration of price and yield variability or risk.

“There is no perfect comparison of crops because there are different levels of labor, management and risk to consider,” says Ron Haugen, NDSU Extension farm management specialist.

A warm, wet fall in 2025 contributed to higher-than-average soil fertility levels, explains Haugen.

"As a result, fertilizer application rates should be lower in most regions,” says Haugen. “However, fertilizer prices are up, so the overall fertilizer cost per acre will be higher than 2025.



“This year, in most regions, and for most crops, the projected profitability is low or negative,” continues Haugen. “Inputs and ownership costs are flat to somewhat higher, but lower commodity prices are the main contributor to the lower profitability. It’s a revenue problem.”

Chemical expenses are generally flat, fuel costs are down, interest costs are down, and ownership and repair costs are up. Some specialty crops may show a positive return but usually have limited contracts and acreages, and they may also carry a higher risk.

Individual farmers are encouraged to develop their own budgets with their specific estimates.

The NDSU Extension budgets are available online at ndsu.ag/cropbudgets26. A PDF version is also available, along with spreadsheets for producers to input their own estimates.



Printed copies are available at NDSU Extension county offices.

NDSU Extension to Host 2026 Eastern Crop, Pest Identification and Management School in Fargo

North Dakota State University Extension will host the 2026 Eastern Crop, Pest Identification and Management School, starting on Feb. 24 at the Fargodome in Fargo, North Dakota.

The program will provide hands-on training and education focused on crop pest identification and management for anyone working in crop production and field scouting.

The school is designed for undergraduate students and first-to-second-year crop scouts and will provide training on identifying and diagnosing diseases, insects, herbicide injury symptoms and other crop production challenges. Participants will learn to recognize pest issues affecting major crops grown in the northern Great Plains, including wheat, barley, corn, soybeans, dry beans, canola and sunflower.

“Accurate identification of crop disorders and pests is one of the most important skills for making crop management decisions,” says Wade Webster, NDSU Extension soybean pathology specialist. “This program provides hands-on experience that will help crop scouts and other agricultural professionals confidently diagnose crop issues.”

The primary goal of the program is to help prepare participants to become successful field scouts by strengthening their knowledge of crop pests and production challenges in the north central region. Sessions will be led by NDSU Extension specialists and scientists working in each of these areas.

Attendees will receive reference materials, including a comprehensive resource binder and flash drives containing identification guides and crop management information. Additional binders will be available for purchase for those interested in extra training materials.

For more information about the program or to register, visit ndsu.ag/eastern-crop-26.

Questions regarding program content can be directed to Webster or Barbara Nilles in NDSU's Department of Plant Pathology, Microbiology and Biotechnology at 701-231-8363 or richard.webster@ndsu.edu or barbara.nilles@ndsu.edu.

SARE to Host Labor and Business Guidance Seminars for North Dakota Farmers and Ranchers in Jamestown

North Dakota farmers and ranchers are invited to attend a workshop and webinars on farm labor and farm business structures, organized by the North Dakota Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program.

Participants can attend the in-person workshop, the webinars or both.

“Farmers and ranchers are facing increasingly complex decisions around labor,” says Jeff Gale, North Dakota State University Extension agriculture and natural resources agent and co-coordinator of SARE in the state. “These workshops and webinars provide practical, real-world guidance to help producers make informed choices that strengthen their operations and support long-term success.”

The full-day in-person workshop will be held Feb. 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST at the North Dakota Farmers Union headquarters in Jamestown, North Dakota.

The morning session will focus on the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program. The information will cover opportunities and legal, financial, and ethical considerations, such as housing, compensation, and timelines.

The afternoon session will examine farm business structures, comparing sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), and corporations, with a special emphasis on liability protection, governance, taxation, and risk management.

Two webinars will be held after the workshop. The March 3 webinar will address employee benefits, including bonuses, health insurance support, and pertinent legal aspects. The March 10 webinar will focus on farm liability, insurance, and risk management strategies.

The webinars will be conducted by Rachel Armstrong, executive director of Farm Commons, which is a national nonprofit organization that translates complex farm law into practical guidance. The training emphasizes interactive discussion, real-world examples, and Q&As.

To register, visit ndsu.ag/labor-business26. The registration fee is $50 per person, and the deadline is Feb. 18.

For more information, contact North Dakota SARE co-coordinators Karl Hoppe at 701-652-2951 or Gale at 701-652-2581.

New Course by the Northern Crops Institute on Opportunities for Dry Bean Ingredients

This year, the Northern Crops Institute (NCI) is offering an exciting new course. This course - Production Opportunities with Pulse & Dry Bean Ingredients - will take place on August 31 - September 3, 2026.

For more information, click here or on the image below.

The first International Sugarbeet & Dry Bean Expo (ISDBE) was a success! Thousands joined us over two (very cold) January days for a full expo floor and hours of insightful presentations for both sugarbeet and dry bean growers.

Northarvest wishes to sincerely thank all of the Sponsors, Exhibitors, Presenters, and everyone who attended - both in person and online. NBGA would also like to thank our friends in the Sugarbeet industry for their co-operation as well as the many who volunteered their time to help make this major event happen.

There's much more to share in the future, including interviews from the expo and the speaker presentations shared on our YouTube channel. For now, though, here are links to podcast interviews with attendees, as well as a few photos that capture some of the energy at ISDBE 2026.

NBGA President Tony Richards presents Dr. Juan Osorno with the Friend of the Bean Award

Representatives from Chippewa Valley Bean accept the Bean Industry Achievement Award in honor of Russell Doane

The dry bean market update panel shared important insights

The team at the Bush's Beans booth with Friend of the Bean recipient Dr. Juan Osorno

Thank you again to all of our incredible sponsors who helped make the first International Sugarbeet & Dry Bean Expo such a success!

Presenting Sponsor

A huge thank you to Bush Brother's & Company for being our Presenting Sponsor, and for all the delicious samples they passed out at ISDBE! You can make the recipe for Pinto Bean Pecan Pie - which was a big hit at the Expo - at home, too.

Supporting Sponsors

Thank you for helping us make the best first International Sugarbeet & Dry Bean Expo possible!

Partner Sponsors

We appreciate our partners support & efforts in helping us make the inaugural International Sugarbeet & Dry Bean Expo possible!

Contributing Sponsors

We appreciate your support for helping us make the best first International Sugarbeet & Dry Bean Expo possible!

Ropa North America

Valent


Northarvest Bean Growers Association

Reach Partners Inc

Material Motion Inc.

Ag Spray Equipment-Fargo

Satake


Bonanza Bean


Belchim Crop Protection USA

Transystems

Electric Pump, LLC


Social Sponsor

Thank you to Spraytec for choosing to be ISDBExpo's social sponsor

It's that time of year when enjoying a nice, steaming hot meal starring beans sounds like the perfect delicious and comforting way to warm up. Here are a few ideas of bean-centric meals that won't disappoint.

All recipes and photos below are courtesy of the Bean Institute.

Braised White Beans and Broccoli with Parmesan

Cannellini beans pack lots of protein and fiber into this delicious recipe for braised beans. Ingredients like parmesan cheese boost the savory factor even more.

➡️ Find the recipe here.

Spanish White Beans with Smoked Paprika and Chorizo

Chef Rebecca Peizer from the Culinary Institute of America prepares a flavor-packed Spanish white bean stew with smoked paprika and chorizo. This post is accompanied by a recipe video that will leave your mouth watering.

➡️ Find the recipe here.

White Bean, Bacon and Corn Chowder

This large-scale recipe was written with schools in mind, but you can easily make a smaller batch to enjoy at home. Although, making enough to have some leftover delicious bean, bacon, and corn chowder in the freezer sounds like a pretty good idea, too!

➡️ Find the recipe here.

In their January 2026 newsletter, the Bean Institute highlighted why dry beans are especially perfect in warming, satisfying winter soups and stews. "Dry beans don’t just make soups and stews more filling. They change how those dishes behave. As dry beans cook, they release starches that naturally thicken broths. They absorb aromatics, herbs, smoke, and spices deeply over long simmers. And unlike many ingredients, they hold their texture through reheating."

The post provides tips on how to cook dry beans, along with lots of tasty bean recipe ideas.

➡️ Read the full post - A Winter Pot Loves Dry Beans - here.

Just last month, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), 2025 - 2030 were released. Below is a summary of some of the key opportunities for beans as addressed in the latest DGA.

Screenshot of the new food pyramid graphic is from realfood.gov

The DGA Highlight Opportunities for Beans

• Prioritizing protein. A main focus of the DGA is to prioritize protein foods at every meal. In fact, the DGA recommend that people, "Consume a variety of protein foods from animal sources, including eggs, poultry, seafood, and red meat, as well as a variety of plant-sourced protein foods, including beans, peas, lentils, legumes, nuts, seeds, and soy." A protein serving goal of 1.2–1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day is established, representing a higher recommendation than in previous dietary guidelines.
  
• Importance of gut health addressed. The DGA state that "high-fiber foods support a diverse [gut] microbiome, which may be beneficial for health." Beans are one of the richest natural sources of dietary fiber, making them a natural fit with a diet that can help promote gut health.
  
• Beans recognized as both a protein and vegetable. Due to the unique nutritional profile of beans, beans are included in both the protein foods and vegetables groups.
  
• Legumes recognized as nutrient dense. The DGA clearly recognize the nutrient density of beans, with statements like, "Some older adults need fewer calories but still require equal or greater amounts of key nutrients such as protein, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and calcium. To meet these needs, they should prioritize nutrient-dense foods such as dairy, meats, seafood, eggs, legumes, and whole plant foods (vegetables and fruits, whole grains, nuts, and seeds)."
  
• Legumes get a callout for folate. When providing examples of folate-rich foods, legumes are specified, specifically in the sections for pregnant and lactating women.

Screenshot from the DGA

References

• Eat Real Food website: https://realfood.gov/
• The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030: https://cdn.realfood.gov/DGA.pdf
• Daily Servings Guide: https://cdn.realfood.gov/Daily Serving Sizes.pdf

Northarvest on the News



The Northarvest Bean Growers Association is happy to continue our partnership with North Dakota Today. In a recent segment, NBGA Marketing & Communications Director Jed Brazier and Bush Brothers & Company Director of External Affairs Robert Loggins joined North Dakota Today Host Sophia Richards.

This segment aired the day before the International Sugarbeet & Dry Bean Expo (ISDBE), so it is a discussion of what to look forward to at the Expo. Loggins explains why Bush's Beans is proud to be the Presenting Sponsor for ISDBE.

➡️ Watch the full news segment here.

➡️ You can also hear Loggins speak on the Farm Talk Podcast.

The Dry Bean Scene is sponsored, in part, by NBGA. Click on the links below to listen to the most recent episodes.

• ➡️ February 9, 2026: Washington State University Professor David Gang talks about a new ‘popping’ bean trait that’s gaining popularity.

• ➡️ January 29, 2026: NDSU Extension dry bean breeder Juan Osorno highlights his two latest varieties, a small red bean and a light red kidney bean.

• ➡️ January 26, 2026: USA Pulses CEO Tim McGreevy highlights some of the many positives in the pulse world, including high demand for pulses and being listed as both a protein and vegetable in the recently released 2025 - 2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

• ➡️ January 19, 2026: Bush Brothers & Company Director of External Affairs Robert Loggins discusses being the Presenting Sponsor at the International Sugarbeet and Dry Bean Expo in Grand Forks.