Dry Edible Beans

Mixed dry edible beans

The latest Extension information about dry bean production and management practices from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Nebraska's Dry Bean Industry

Nebraska dry edible bean producers plant anywhere from 140,000 to 200,000 acres of beans annually, producing approximately 1 billion servings. This production is concentrated in western Nebraska, where the climate is arid and the warm days and cool nights provide excellent growing conditions for dry edible beans.

In 2023, Nebraska ranked nationally in dry bean production:

  • 1st in production of Great Northern beans
  • 2nd in production of pinto beans 
  • 4th in production of light red kidney beans and all dry edible beans

Hear from farmers in the Nebraska Panhandle and follow dry bean harvest from start to finish in this film by Joe Patterson with support from the Nebraska Dry Bean Commission.

Learn More About Dry Beans:

Related Articles

Soybean field during summer
Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA.

Crop Progress: Crop Conditions Significantly Higher in June 2024

June 27, 2024
Nebraska crop conditions are considerably higher than last year during this stage of the growing season, by as much as 30-40% for many crops.

Read more

Dry bean field
Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA. (Photo by Gary Stone)

Crop Progress: Dry Bean Planting on Track to End Early

June 17, 2024
With just 6% of the crop remaining, dry edible bean planting is significantly ahead of last year's pace. Sorghum planting was down to 8% left, as of June 16.

Read more

Sorghum field
Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA. (CropWatch file photo)

Crop Progress: End of Nebraska Planting Season in Sight

June 10, 2024
With just about 20% of sorghum and dry bean acreage remaining, planting season is coming to a close and Nebraska producers will soon begin winter wheat harvest.

Read more

Soybean field during summer
Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA. (CropWatch file photo)

Crop Progress: Nebraska Soybean Planting Nearly Finished

June 4, 2024
Corn planting has been completed in Nebraska, and soybean planting is nearly done as well.

Read more

Dry bean field
Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA. (CropWatch file photo)

Crop Progress: Dry Edible Bean Planting Underway

May 28, 2024
As corn planting nears the finish line in Nebraska, dry edible bean producers are getting started on their planting season.

Read more