Greetings, and welcome to NBGA's October 2025 newsletter!

We hope that everyone is enjoying a safe and productive harvest season.

This newsletter contains updates about the upcoming International Sugarbeet and Dry Bean Expo, a link to NBGA's scholarship for the 2025-2026 school year, photos and summaries of recent events in which NBGA participated, ideas to get beans on your fall menu, and much more. Happy reading!

Navy Bean Harvest in Crookston, MN - September 2025
Photo Courtesy of NBGA Past President Eric Samuelson

October 2025 Newsletter Table of Contents:

• Bean Poll
• USDA Weekly Dry Bean Market Review
• Announcements
• Bean Institute: Fall Recipes Featuring Beans
• Bean Nutrition Corner: Beans Can Help Prevent Cancer
• Northarvest in the News and on the Move
• The Dry Bean Scene

Bean Poll

Thank you to everyone who participated in our September 2025 poll. Many respondents reported being either done or over halfway done with harvest - see below for results. We know this year has had its challenges, and we wish everyone a safe and successful harvest season!

Please participate in this month's poll by clicking on an option below.

October 2025 Poll: How has the timing of this year's harvest compared to previous years?

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.

• October 20, 2025: "Compared to last week: Trade remained very light. According to report contacts, rain is holding up dry edible bean harvest in North Dakota with a estimated 10% left to be harvested."

• October 6, 2025: "Compared to last week: Trade remained very light. According to report contacts, rain is holding up dry edible bean harvest in North Dakota."

• September 29, 2025: "Compared to last week: Trade remained very light. According to the NASS Crop Progress Report September 21, 2025, Dry Edible Peas harvested was at 96% in North Dakota. Lentils harvested in North Dakota was at 93%. Dry Edible Beans harvested in Washington was at 79%, Idaho was at 68%, North Dakota was at 22%, Minnesota was at 24%, Colorado was at 15%, Nebraska was at 23%, Michigan was at 26%, and Montana was at 92%."

• September 22, 2025: "Compared to last week: Trade remained very light. According to the NASS Crop Progress Report September 14, 2025, Dry Edible Peas harvested was at 95% in Washington, 94% in North Dakota. Lentils harvested in North Dakota was at 91%. Dry Edible Beans harvested in Washington was at 60%, Idaho was at 43%, North Dakota was at 19%, Minnesota was at 16%, Colorado was at 5%, Nebraska was at 13%, Michigan was at 21%, and Montana was at 90%."

• September 15, 2025: "Compared to last week: Trade remained very light. According to the NASS Crop Progress Report September 9, 2025, Dry Edible Peas harvested was at 90% in Washington, 90% in North Dakota, and 99% in Montana. Lentils harvested in Montana was at 95% and North Dakota was at 83%. Dry Edible Beans harvested in Washington was at 43%, Idaho was at 21%, North Dakota was at 6%, Minnesota was at 5%, Colorado was at 1%, Nebraska was at 2%, and Montana was at 88%."

• September 8, 2025: (Note that there was a correction released for the Sept 8 report, which read as follows:) "Compared to last week: Trade remained very light. According to the NASS Crop Progress Report August 31, 2025, Dry Edible Peas harvested was at 85% in Washington, 82% in North Dakota, 95% in Montana, and 95% in Idaho. Lentils harvested in Montana was at 89% and North Dakota was at 76%. Dry Edible Beans harvested in Washington was at 35%, Idaho was at 7%, North Dakota was at 1%, Minnesota was at 1%, and Montana was at 79%."

For those who may still be unaware, NBGA's annual "Bean Day"- the nation's largest edible dry bean conference - is now held in conjunction with our friends from the Sugarbeet world, offering the chance for farmers & industry partners to get even more out of a single show. It may have a new name and look a little different, but the show remains free to attend.

NBGA, as well as our Sugarbeet partners, look forward to this new opportunity to build on our 50-year history of previous Bean Day events to now include equipment, expand our industry showcase, continue to present dry bean information, and promote the work of our growers who are helping to fill the world's plates.

The International Sugarbeet & Dry Bean Expo brings together two commodities most often shared in our growers' crop rotations. Read more about the fine details in the press release below...

International Sugarbeet & Dry Bean Expo

The International Sugarbeet and Dry Bean Expo (ISDBE) board is excited to be planning the first ISDBE, to be held in January in Grand Forks. You can learn more in the press release below. The contacts at the bottom of the press release are available for interviews about this exciting new show. 

October 2025  

GRAND FORKS, N.D. — Save the date for the inaugural International Sugarbeet and Dry Bean Expo — a dynamic event bringing together two powerhouse sectors in agriculture. The event is scheduled for Jan. 21-22, 2026. 

The new show combines the former International Sugar Beet Institute and Northarvest Bean Growers Association's Bean Day into one event, which is slated to rotate between Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Fargo, North Dakota. The inaugural show, which is free to attend, will be held at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, and will be the best one-stop conference for sugarbeet and dry bean growers. The event will feature vendors pertaining to both the sugarbeet and dry bean industries, along with speakers on research, policy, weather and more. Doors open at 8 a.m. on Jan. 21, with closing time at 5 p.m. The second day runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

For more information, visit isdbexpo.com. More information pertaining to the show will be added there, including speaker schedules and guest registration. 

Agribusinesses pertaining to sugarbeet or dry beans are invited to register to exhibit at the show or to become a show sponsor. For more information on those opportunities, visit https://isdbexpo.regfox.com/2026-isdbexpo. The new event combines two premier crop shows — Bean Day was the nation's largest annual dry bean gathering and ISBI was a premier hub for sugarbeet growers, processors, researchers and industry leaders worldwide. 

For more information or for interviews, please contact: 

• Harrison Weber, Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association: 701-239-4151, hweber@rrvsga.com
• Mitch Coulter, Northarvest Bean Growers Association: 701-365-5109, mitch@northarvestbean.org
• Nick Revier, President of ISDBE board: 701-388-6757, Nick.Revier@sesvanderhave.com

EXHIBITORS PLEASE NOTE: Equipment Space is already SOLD OUT, 
and the limited remaining booth spaces will likely sell out this quickly.

REGISTER YOUR BUSINESS TODAY to ensure you do not miss this first-ever opportunity to present your company to Dry Bean and Sugarbeet producers.

A big thank you to Bush Brother's & Co. for choosing to join us as our Presenting Sponsor - We are thrilled to have the

biggest name in beans support the very first 
International Sugarbeet & Dry Bean Expo!

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

Social Sponsor

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

Joining us at ISDBExpo?

See the hotel information below to book your rooms now!

CanadInns Destination Centre Grand Forks 
(701) 772-8404 

Address: 1000 S 42nd St, Grand Forks, ND 58201 

Staybridge Suites Grand Forks, an IHG Hotel

(701) 772-9000
Address: 1175 S 42nd St, Grand Forks, ND 58201

Baymont by Wyndham Grand Forks 

(701) 757-2345 

Address: 951 S 42nd St, Grand Forks, ND 58201 

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Grand Forks

(701) 757-3600
Address: 4051 Garden View Dr, Grand Forks, ND 58201

Grand Forks Lodge 

(701) 757-7000

Address: 4040 11th Ave S, Grand Forks, ND 58201

My Place Hotel-Grand Forks  

(701) 757-1717

Address: 1315 S 42nd St, Grand Forks, ND 58201

Additional hotel and community information can be found via

the Grand Forks Conventions and Visitors Bureau 

https://www.visitgrandforks.com/where-to-stay/

USDA Issues Second Economic Assistance Payment to Agricultural Producers

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing a second Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) payment to eligible producers for the 2024 crop year. Of the authorized $10 billion in ECAP assistance, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has already provided over $8 billion in payments to eligible producers to mitigate the impacts of increased input costs and falling commodity prices. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins made the announcement yesterday at the Ag Outlook Forum in Kansas City.

“Initial ECAP payments were factored by 85% to ensure that total program payments did not exceed $10 billion in available funding. Since additional funds remain, FSA is issuing a second payment,” said Deputy Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Brooke Appleton. “As producers continue to face market volatility, these payments along with the entire suite of supplemental disaster assistance programs, will help producers navigate market uncertainty, pay down debt for the 2024 crop year, and secure financing for the next crop year.”

Payments will automatically be made to eligible producers with approved ECAP applications who received an initial payment. Any application approved after Sept. 25, 2025, will receive one lump sum payment. Authorized by the American Relief Act, 2025, these economic relief payments are based on planted and prevented planted crop acres for eligible commodities for the 2024 crop year.

ECAP Payments

FSA is issuing a second payment ECAP equal to 14% of the gross ECAP payment to eligible producers, making the final payment factor 99%.

ECAP assistance is calculated using a flat payment rate for the eligible commodity multiplied by the eligible reported acres. Payments are based on acreage and not production. For acres reported as prevented planted, ECAP assistance is calculated at 50%.

Additional USDA Supplemental Disaster Assistance

In addition to the over $8 billion in ECAP payments, USDA has issued more than $1 billion in Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) assistance to livestock producers impacted by drought and federally managed lands wildfires in 2023 and 2024 with an additional $1 billion in expected payments for livestock producers impacted by floods and non-federally managed land wildfires in 2023 and 2024 (ELRP 2023/2023 FW). Livestock producers have until Oct. 31, 2025, to apply for (ELRP 2023/2023 FW) assistance. Producers have also received over $5.4 billion through Stage 1 of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program for indemnified crop losses in 2023 and 2024. SDRP Stage 2 assistance for uncovered, quality, and shallow losses will be announced soon

USDA’s disaster recovery programs complement recently announced state block grant agreements in Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia totaling $958 million in assistance to help agricultural producers with disaster recovery needs. USDA is working with 14 states on block grant agreements.

More Information

FSA helps America’s farmers, ranchers and forest landowners invest in, improve, protect and expand their agricultural operations through the delivery of agricultural programs for all Americans. FSA implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, commodity, disaster recovery and marketing programs through a national network of state and county offices and locally elected county committees. For more information, visit fsa.usda.gov.

MBOLD Launches ‘Protein Catalyst’ to Drive Animal & Plant Protein Innovation in Rapidly Growing Global Protein Industry

Catalyst brings together some of the world’s leading food and agriculture companies, including General Mills, Cargill, Target, Schwan’s Co., SunOpta, and more to pursue protein innovations benefiting farmers, consumers, businesses, planet

Catalyst will foster innovation through pre-competitive R&D for animal feed and plant-based proteins; mentorship for protein innovation start-ups; and personalized support for protein companies looking to engage in Minnesota’s vibrant protein ecosystem

As global demand for protein rises, a coalition of Minnesota-based global leaders in food and agriculture is teaming up to develop new solutions. Today, the MBOLD coalition (an initiative of the GREATER MSP Partnership) has launched the Protein Catalyst—a pre-competitive, collaborative effort designed to drive innovation and help sustainably address the world's rapidly growing appetite for high-quality proteins.

...

With fall in the air, we thought it would be the perfect time to highlight several bean recipes that are packed with fall flavors and ingredients, like pumpkin and squash. There is a nice, warming chili recipe, too.

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

Stewed Kidney Beans with Butternut Squash

Chef Lars Kronmark from The Culinary Institute of America prepares this simple, healthy, vegetarian recipe, perfect for fall: Stewed Kidney Beans, Butternut Squash, Kale and Mushrooms with Chipotle, Basil and Garlic.

➡️ Find the recipe here.

Pork & Pumpkin Empanadas with Black Beans

Chef Bill Briwa from The Culinary Institute of America prepares empanadas stuffed with black beans, pumpkin, pork and chipotle. For added flavor, he cooks the black beans with smoky chipotle.

➡️ Find the recipe here.

Rough Rider Chili

A bowl of chili always hits the spot on a chilly day! This satisfying chili has kidney beans, beef, and a nice kick from hot pepper sauce and chili spices. You can tone down the heat if desired.

➡️ Find the recipe here.

In their September 2025 newsletter, the Bean Institute highlighted great ideas of how to incorporate beans into a back-to-school routine. They provide recipe ideas and links for breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and dinners featuring beans.

➡️ Read the full post - Back to School with Beans - here.

Beans offer numerous nutritional and health benefits, not to mention being delicious! One important health benefit is that eating beans may help prevent cancer.

The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) closely monitors cancer research, distilling the research into digestible information and helpful tips. AICR has created a list of foods that - eaten as part of a healthy and complete dietary pattern - may help prevent cancer: AICR's Foods that Fight Cancer™. Beans and other pulses are on the list!

Screenshot from AICR's website

How Often Should You Eat Beans? Regularly, According to AICR.

AICR recommends eating beans and other pulses regularly, as you can see in the screenshot above. There are numerous compounds in pulses that can help fight cancer and promote overall health, for instance by supporting a healthy gut microbiome. Among these are: dietary fiber, folate, and various phytochemicals.

After conducting a systematic review of the scientific literature, AICR determined that there is strong research showing that consuming foods with dietary fiber can:

• Decrease the risk of colorectal cancer
• Support a healthy body weight - which is important because excess body fat can increase the risk of numerous cancers



As one of the richest natural sources of dietary fiber, this makes a compelling case for regularly enjoying beans and other pulses!

AICR's Preparation Quick Tip

AICR shares a preparation quick tip to enjoy more beans: "Hummus and other bean-based dips are delicious with raw vegetables or whole-grain crackers or pita bread for snacks or with meals. They also make great sandwich spreads or baked potato toppings."

Looking for a tasty bean dip? Check out Chef Lauren Zobac's delicious recipe for White Bean and Basil Hummus here!

White Bean and Basil Hummus

Reference

➡️ Click here to find AICR's article about how pulses may help prevent cancer.

Northarvest at Scheel's ND BBQ Competition

Beans are a perfect fit with BBQ - which is why Northarvest Bean Growers Association was excited to be a part of the Scheel's North Dakota BBQ Competition! This tasty event took place on October 3rd and 4th in Fargo, ND.

Forty seven teams participated in the BBQ Competition, with 26 of the teams submitting a bean dish. Nearly 130 people voted on the bean dish, and the number who tasted the beans was even higher. Northarvest engaged the audience with bean trivia and also handed out NBGA bean swag. On Saturday, NBGA passed out 1200 cans of beans donated by Bush's Beans - 3 flavors of Sidekicks and their new Bluey Baked Beans.

Jennifer Hansen, NBGA Finance Director and Education & Sponsorship Committee Staff Lead, was very pleased with how the event went. “I am thrilled with how many people came out for the Friday night People’s Choice bean competition. It was our first time sponsoring the event at Scheel’s and I’m already looking forward to next year. Saturday was also a lot of fun. We had perfect weather for handing out a generous donation of Bush’s Best beans.”

Delicious bean entries

Tasting the many bean dishes

Passing out Bush's Beans

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

• ➡️ October 20, 2025: Johnstown Bean Company General Manager Dylan Karley discusses the final acres, yields, and quality of dry beans.

• ➡️ October 9, 2025: Excess moisture, hail, and white mold combined to make for a challenging season for Ashley Altepeter, in East Grand Forks. Altepeter recaps the harvest and the action taken to minimize splits in this year’s crop. 

• ➡️ October 3, 2025: Park River, North Dakota farmer Dwight Johnson is approaching the end of his dry bean harvest. Johnson describes it as “an above average crop.”

• ➡️ September 26, 2025: Johnstown Bean Company General Manager Dylan Karley discusses the weather and its impact on harvest.

• ➡️ September 22, 2025: NDSU Extension Dry Bean Breeder, Juan Osorno, reviews the disease pressure seen during this past growing season. White mold was one of the primary issues.

• ➡️ September 12, 2025: Wyndmere, North Dakota farmer Rudy Dotzenrod is hoping to begin desiccation. Conditions have been ripe for a good crop.