The bean seeds grow in pods attached at the stem to the same point as the leaf, just like peas or field beans. The open nature of the crop makes it easy for air to circulate to dry down the crop when it is mature. \ Philip Doyle

The crop was harvested with standard combine settings and it is a very low-bulk crop at harvest. The plants stand as individual stems, with little or no interlocking, so there is little risk of dragging on the dividers. \ Philip Doyle

The heat in 2018 resulted in virtually no pods at the top of the canopy. This year there were lots of pods but fewer seeds per pod and very few seeds in these upper pods. The seed size also seemed smaller that last year. \ Philip Doyle

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While seed moisture seemed high and some seeds were immature, there was no difficulty unloading the combine tank. However, the flow rate was slower than if the beans were lower in moisture. \ Philip Doyle

This year's crop was less mature at harvest compared to last year, due to the wet and dullness during ripening and moisture was quite high. While the ground was solid, the soil was quite loose and there was some dragging in front of the blade, hence the soil that is evident in the picture. \ Philip Doyle

READER'S PIC: Kevin Doody and his favourite cow Buttercup. You can send your photos to picdesk@farmersjournal.ie or Tweet us at @IFJ_picturedesk.

Soya beans in October: Contractor Vinny Lee harvesting a slightly immature crop of Siverka soya beans for John Fallon near Castledermot in Co Kildare earlier this week. The crop was grown by Quinns of Baltinglass and it remains in its development phase. The crop yielded 0.9 t/ac with moisture content at or above the mid 20% level, as machines need to be calibrated for the crop. \ Philip Doyle