Meet the Factor: Splits in Soybeans
Soybeans are one of the most widely grown and traded crops in North America, and their quality plays a critical role in pricing and processing efficiency. One grading factor that has a big impact on soybean quality is splits.
What are Splits?
Splits are soybeans that have broken into two or more pieces. While it may seem minor, splits are considered a defect in grading because they affect both the handling and end-use quality of the crop.
Why Do Splits Matter?
Splits reduce the value of soybeans for two main reasons:
Processing Efficiency: Whole soybeans are preferred for crushing because they deliver more consistent oil and meal yields. Splits can reduce processing efficiency and increase waste.
Marketability: Buyers and processors typically pay for whole, intact beans. Higher levels of splits often lead to grade reductions and lower prices.
How Do Splits Happen?
Splits can occur during harvest, handling, or storage. Common causes include:
Harvest conditions: Very dry beans or overly aggressive combine settings can increase splitting.
Handling stress: Grain augers, conveyors, or repeated transfers can damage beans.
Storage environment: Fluctuations in temperature and moisture can weaken beans, making them more prone to splitting.
What Can Farmers Do?
While some splitting is unavoidable, farmers can take steps to minimize it:
Adjust combine settings to reduce impact damage.
Handle grain gently during transport and storage to avoid extra stress.
Monitor moisture levels to keep beans in stable condition.
Use automated grading tools on-farm to quickly see split levels and make better storage or marketing decisions before grain leaves the yard.
What Can Graders Do?
For graders, splits are one of the more straightforward visual factors to identify, but consistency matters. Automated grain grading helps by providing objective, repeatable measurements, reducing the risk of disagreement and increasing confidence in the result. With reliable data in hand, graders can:
Apply grading standards uniformly to minimize subjectivity.
Rely on automated tools to handle high sample volumes quickly and consistently, especially during peak intake.
Communicate results clearly to both farmers and buyers.
What Can Processors Do?
Processors face the challenge of balancing throughput with quality. Splits can lower efficiency, but by tracking and managing them, processors can:
Adjust handling systems to reduce further damage during intake.
Segregate split-heavy lots to prevent them from affecting entire shipments. This can be made easier when automated grading provides early, objective data on incoming loads.
Collaborate with buyers and farmers by sharing quality results, building stronger relationships through transparency and consistency.
How Ground Truth Ag Can Help
Our automated grading technology quickly and consistently measures split levels across samples. By having this information immediately—on-farm, at delivery, or in the grading room—everyone in the value chain gains the ability to make smarter, faster decisions that protect value and reduce disputes.