Hello and welcome to the September 2024 NBGA e-newsletter! Northarvest has had a very busy month, maybe the busiest few weeks since January's Bean Day, and we are looking forward to sharing numerous updates with you. Be sure to check out the NBGA in the News & on the Move section of the newsletter.

Mid-September means that harvest season is here. To those who are done with dry bean harvest, congratulations! To those who still have dry bean harvest ahead, we wish you a safe, productive, and successful harvest. To everyone who farms, may harvesting all your other crops also go well!

Every year, growers are faced with challenges. For example, the cool, wet conditions around planting time and the early part of the season caused planting delays and/or delayed crop maturity for many in our region. Northarvest recognizes the dedication required to grow dry beans, and we take pride in promoting the excellent beans produced by our growers. Thank you for providing such a nutritious food to people around the world.

Sunset photo contributed by NBGA President Eric Jorgensen

Did you know NBGA provides the opportunity for two children or grandchildren of MN & ND dry bean growers to win a $2,000 scholarship for college?

All of the information needed to apply is included on the application form you can find by clicking the graphic above or the button below.

September 2024 Newsletter Table of Contents:

• Bean Poll
• NBGA Member Profile
• USDA Weekly Dry Bean Market Review
• NBGA Partners with a Chef
• Bean Institute: Enjoying Beans this Fall
• Bean Nutrition Corner
• Northarvest in the News and on the Move
• The Dry Bean Scene

Bean Poll

In the August 2024 newsletter poll, we asked you about how your dry bean crop was developing. Thank you to everyone who participated in our poll!

As you can see in the pie chart below, the most common response was that crop maturity was similar to previous years, followed closely by the response option for lagging behind average maturity. Below is the full breakdown of responses.

For our September 2024 poll, please click below to indicate your answer. As always, we will reveal the response breakdown in next month's newsletter.

September 2024 poll: How is your dry bean harvest going?

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.

• September 10, 2024: "Compared to last week: Trade remained light with mostly steady bid prices. According to the Crop Progress Report September 9, 2024, Dry Edible Peas are 91% harvested in North Dakota. Dry Edible Beans are 84% harvested in Montana, 46% harvested in Washington, 5% harvested in Minnesota, 24% harvested in Idaho, 12% cut in Colorado, 2% harvested in Michigan, 5% harvested in Nebraska, 5% harvested in North Dakota, and 8% harvested in Wyoming."

• September 3, 2024: "Compared to last week: Trade remained light with mostly steady bid prices. According to the Crop Progress Report September 2, 2024, Dry Edible Peas are 96% harvested in Montana and 85% harvested in North Dakota. Dry Edible Beans are 81% harvested in Montana, 1% harvested in Minnesota, 1% cut in Colorado, and 22% cut in Wyoming."

• August 27, 2024: "Compared to last week: Trade remained light with mostly steady bid prices. According to the Crop Progress Report August 25, 2024, Dry Edible Peas are 70% harvested in Washington, 92% harvested in Montana, 75% harvested in North Dakota, and 73% harvested in Idaho. Dry Edible Beans are 52% harvested in Montana, 4% harvested in Idaho, and 10% harvested in Washington."

• August 20, 2024: "Compared to last week: Trade remained light with mostly steady bid prices. According to the Crop Progress Report August 18, 2024, Dry Edible Peas are 54% harvested in Washington, 89% harvested in Montana, 55% harvested in North Dakota, and 58% harvested in Idaho. Dry Edible Beans are 45% harvested in Montana, 1% harvested in Idaho, and 3% harvested in Washington."

• August 13, 2024: "Compared to last week: Trade remained light with mostly steady bid prices. According to the Crop Progress Report August 12, 2024, Dry Edible Peas are 42% harvested in Washington, 61% harvested in Montana, 47% harvested in North Dakota, and 36% harvested in Idaho. Dry Edible Beans are 24% harvested in Montana."

One of the unsung categories of bean industry supporters is the small group of researchers working in that specialized field. Without their efforts, we would not have the new varieties or information to deal with pests and diseases affecting beans. NBGA would like to spotlight some of those who are dedicated to strengthening our industry through research and bean breeding.

For the first of our series of researcher profiles, NBGA is sharing this interview with research geneticist Tim Porch, captured earlier this year as part of our overview of the Puerto Rico dry bean overwinter site.

Tim took the time out of a very brief window - during an incredibly hot day - to spend a few moments sharing some of his expertise and insights into beans and how they fit into our diet and the world around them.

Over the past several months, we have shared six delicious bean recipes created by Chef Lauren Zobac - (and there's more in the works!). That is a lot of delicious bean dishes!

To make it easy to find all of them, we wanted to provide a list of all the recipes to date and a link to the NBGA bean recipe playlist on YouTube.

Bean Recipes from Chef Lauren Zobac

These recipes showcase the versatile ways in which we can use beans in the kitchen. The YouTube videos are easy to share with friends and family, to encourage them to also include more beans as a regular part of their weekly menu. We look forward to bringing you more bean recipes in the future, to continue to shine a spotlight on beans!

➡️ Find the full bean recipe playlist on NBGA's YouTube channel. You can also click on links to the individual recipes below.

Black Bean Falafel - People often think of garbanzo beans in falafel, but this recipe stars black beans! Black Bean Falafel is bursting with flavor from the fresh herbs and creamy yogurt sauce. You will enjoy the contrast between the soft interior and crunchy exterior, and stay satiated thanks to the black beans.

White Bean Blondies - Adding beans to baked goods is a great way to make a healthier treat. Black bean brownies may be better known, but after you try these White Bean Blondies, we are confident they will also earn a place among your favorite baking recipes.

Refried Beans - Every home needs a delicious, go-to recipe for Refried Beans! Chef Lauren talks through her tips for the tastiest refried beans.

Black Bean Protein Bites - If you are looking for a nice, tasty, filling snack or breakfast on the go, these Black Bean Protein Bites are the answer.

Red Bean Crinkle Cookies - These cookies are another creative way to use beans in baking! Plus, their nice red color makes these Red Bean Crinkle Cookies perfect for any upcoming holiday baking.

Bachelor Beans - Don't let the simple ingredient list fool you. These Bachelor Beans served over toast make a very flavorful, satisfying meal any time of the day.

Let Us Know What You Think!

We hope you enjoy these bean recipes! If you make them, please send us photos and let us know what you think! Or, upload photos to social media and tag us on Facebook, Instagram, and/or LinkedIn.

Please vote in the poll below. This will help inform future recipe development. Even if you have not yet tried all of the recipes, we would like to hear which one sounds the best to you.

Fall is a beloved season for many, when people enjoy the changing colors, the cooler weather, and fall foods. Squash and pumpkin - and pumpkin spice flavored everything - come to mind for lots of folks. However, we know that fall also means a fresh harvest of dry beans!

To help you celebrate the season, here are several recipe ideas from the Bean Institute that combine pumpkin/squash and beans. Two of these recipes were developed by the Culinary Institute of America. The third recipe is for granola and is a good example of how beans can easily be used in less traditional ways, to add a nutritional boost to anything you are making! You can share these bean-centric recipes with friends and family, and of course also enjoy them in your own kitchen.

Image from the Bean Institute

Image from the Bean Institute website

Image from the Bean Institute website

More from the Bean Institute

Did you see the Bean Institute's August 2024 newsletter? The featured topic addressed how beans can help fill many nutrient gaps (i.e., critical nutrients and dietary components that most Americans do not get enough of) that exist in the typical American diet. The post's author focuses on the high dietary fiber and potassium content of beans, stating that, "Beans are nutritional gems that can be easily added to a healthy diet. The benefits include increased fiber and potassium intake, which contribute to overall health improvement."

You can see a snippet below, or click here to read the full post.

As you will see in the Dry Bean Scene section of this newsletter, the August 18, 2024 episode is of Dr. Juan Osorno discussing slow-darkening pinto beans. He mentions that there are several key benefits of slow-darkening pintos. For this month's Bean Nutrition Corner, we want to dive into the findings of two recent science articles - authored by Osorno and colleagues - that elaborate upon these benefits.

Why do slow-darkening pinto beans not darken like regular pinto beans?

Traditional pinto beans experience darkening with conditions such as delayed harvest, adverse weather, and storage. Darker pinto beans are often presumed by consumers to be older and therefore less desirable. Hence, pinto bean darkening patterns are important to growers, processors, vendors, and consumers.

Researchers have discovered a trait that slows seed coat darkening. Slow-darkening pinto beans have a recessive gene that results in their seed coats darkening much slower under storage and delayed harvest conditions.

As you can see, the slow-darkening pintos look much lighter after storage and exposure to light than do the regular-darkening pintos.



What are potential nutritional benefits of slow-darkening pinto beans?

In their study, Wiesinger and colleagues (2021) evaluated both slow-darkening and regular-darkening pinto beans for both iron concentration and iron bioavailability. They found no clear distinction between the actual iron content of slow-darkening versus regular-darkening pinto beans.

However, there was a marked difference in iron bioavailability, or the iron that is actually available for the body to absorb and utilize. The authors state, "These results demonstrate that SD [slow-darkening] pintos have the capacity to deliver more dietary iron than RD [regular-darkening] pinto beans." Indeed, the slow-darkening varieties provided 2 to 7 times more bioavailable iron than their regular-darkening counterparts.

Why is it beneficial that slow-darkening pinto beans have faster cooking times?

Study results revealed that the slow-darkening pinto varieties tested by Wiesinger and colleagues (2021) cooked about 30% faster than the regular-darkening varieties. One of the main reported barriers to higher bean consumption is long cooking times. Dry beans that cook faster appeal to the consumer desire for convenience, making it more feasible to prepare dry beans in the home.

There are also environmental and economic implications to beans that cook more quickly. Faster cooking times can help reduce energy use, both on a household level and a larger commercial scale. This in turn results in the associated cost savings.

What about agronomic performance of slow-darkening pinto beans versus regular-darkening pinto beans?

Importantly, Miklas, Osorno, Chaves, and Cichy (2020) demonstrate that recent lines of slow-darkening (SD) pintos can compete with regular-darkening (RD) pintos in terms of agronomic performance: "Across 2010–2012 trials, the “early generation bred” SD pintos, as a group, had significantly lower emergence, increased lodging, less seed yield, and smaller seed size than the RD group. Conversely, in the 2018 trial, “recently bred” SD pinto breeding lines had competitive agronomic performance to RD lines for seed yield, reduced lodging, and increased emergence."

Bean breeders - like NDSU's very own Juan Osorno - continue to work to ensure strong agronomic performance of slow-darkening pintos. You can hear him speak more about this in a recent episode of the Dry Bean Scene.

References:

• Miklas, P. N., Osorno, J. M., Chaves, B., & Cichy, K. A. (2020). Agronomic performance and cooking quality characteristics for slow‐darkening pinto beans. Crop Science, 60(5), 2317-2327. Read full article here: https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/csc2.20220
• Wiesinger, J. A., Osorno, J. M., McClean, P. E., Hart, J. J., & Glahn, R. P. (2021). Faster cooking times and improved iron bioavailability are associated with the down regulation of procyanidin synthesis in slow-darkening pinto beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Journal of Functional Foods, 82, 104444. Read full article here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464621000931

The graphical abstract in the article by Wiesinger and colleagues (2021) summarizes how slow-darkening pinto beans cook faster and have higher iron bioavailability compared to regular-darkening pinto beans. Graphical abstract from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464621000931

Moral of the story? Slow-darkening pinto beans have several key benefits, including delayed darkening (which has visual appeal for consumers), faster cooking times, and improved iron bioavailability compared to regular-darkening pintos.

Eric Samuelson representing dry bean growers from Minnesota and the Northarvest region with UK Minister of State for Trade Policy Penny Mordaut

Front row L-R: Thom Petersen (MN Dept. of Agriculture Commissioner), Richard Hyde (UK Consul General), Rachel Grey (MN Cattlemen’s Association), Amy Klobuchar (MN State Senator), James Roscoe (UK Deputy Ambassador), Gary Wertish (President MN Farmers Union),

Second row L-R: Jennifer Groover (UK Sr. Policy Advisor for Agriculture & Trade), Lauren Servick (MN Pork Producers Association), Jan Bauer (UK Consulate Office), Mitch Coulter (Northarvest Bean Growers Association), Joe Smentek (MN Soybean Growers Association), Blair Hoseth (MN Corn Growers Association),

Back row L-R: Laurence Reszetar (Director of International Business Strategy – MN Trade Office), Lucas Sjostrom (MN Milk Producers Association), Dan Glessing (President MN Farm Bureau)

Doug McKalip, Chief Trade Negotiator for the USTR

Samuelson shares with Estenson about how the season has gone, and what beans look like as they get close to harvest.

It was a picture-perfect day for filming on the farm.

(LtoR: Videographer Jordon Broby, NBGA farmer Eric Samuelson, Amber Estenson aka @ThatMidwesternMom, NBGA Communication & Marketing Director Jed Brazier on site at the Samuelson Farm)

We are excited to share more about the entire process of growing beans, including equipment used throughout the season.

Speaking of @ThatMidwesternMom , Thursday, Sept. 19th @ 7 pm on the NBGA YouTube channel will be the debut of the lead-in to our “Seed-to-stovetop” series featuring “Friend of the Bean” Award-winner and woman behind alegumeaday.com , (and monthly NBGA newsletter contributor) Chelsea Didinger.

Chelsea and Amber had a great conversation and as you can see in the photos below, they seemed to have a few laughs along the way.

The Anderson Farms crew (or at least a fair amount of those who helped out that were willing to pose for a group photo) from the August 8 event in Belgrade, MN. NBGA and fellow growers would like to Thank Anderson Farms & all involved for putting on a fantastic event.

Juan Osorno presenting the dry bean variety overview during the tour.

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

• ➡️ August 31, 2024: Northarvest Bean Growers Association President Eric Jorgenson talks about crop conditions and the impact of weather this season. Although there has been some drown out, he says the crop looks good. Due to rains, he anticipates that dry bean harvest will not begin for a couple weeks. He also discusses the upcoming Worldwide Reverse Trade Mission.

• ➡️ August 25, 2024: NDSU Extension Cropping Specialist Greg Endres highlights the annual row crop tour, which took place at the Carrington Research Extension Center on August 29, 2024. Dry beans were a focus of this crop tour, and there was a chance to look at numerous entries in the variety trial.

• ➡️ August 18, 2024: North Dakota State University dry bean breeder Juan Osorno offers an update on the benefits of slow-darkening pinto beans. Benefits include positive consumer perception of lighter-colored pinto beans, faster cooking time, and higher iron bioavailability.

• ➡️ August 12, 2024: NDSU Plant Pathologist Sam Markell shares several seasonal reminders. He states, “Rust in dry beans... can cause yield loss and we’ve had great conditions for it.” In addition to rust, he discusses white mold management.