Welcome to your comprehensive guide on soybean farming in Farming Simulator 22! Soybeans are a fantastic crop for both new and experienced farmers in the game. They offer a solid income, are relatively straightforward to grow, and can be used in various ways on your farm. This guide will walk you through every step, ensuring you get the most out of your soybean fields.
Why Choose Soybeans in FS22?
Soybeans are more than just another crop in Farming Simulator 22; they are a smart choice for several reasons. Firstly, they provide a reliable source of income. Soybean prices are often favorable, making them a profitable crop to sell. Secondly, soybeans are versatile. While you can sell them for a good price, they also serve as excellent feed for your pigs, contributing to a more self-sufficient and diversified farm. Furthermore, growing soybeans is a great way to learn the basics of crop farming in FS22. The process is similar to other grains, making it an easy entry point into more complex crop rotations later on.
Alt text: Farming Simulator 22 soybean field ready for harvest, showcasing fully grown soybean plants.
Essential Equipment for Soybean Farming
To successfully cultivate and harvest soybeans, you’ll need a set of fundamental farming tools. These are investments that will serve you well across various crops, not just soybeans.
- Tractor: The workhorse of any farm, needed to pull and operate all other equipment.
- Cultivator: Prepares the field for sowing by loosening the soil.
- Soybean Seeder: Specifically designed for planting soybeans. Look for seeders in the ‘Seeders’ category of the shop. You’ll also need to purchase soybean seeds, found on Bigbag pallets in the ‘Objects’ section.
- Fertilizer Spreader & Fertilizer: Essential for boosting soybean yield. Artificial fertilizers are beginner-friendly and available in the ‘Objects’ section. Fertilizer spreaders are in the ‘Fertilizing Technology’ category.
- Weeder: Keeps weeds at bay, which can significantly reduce your soybean harvest if left unchecked.
- Harvester with Grain Header: The specialized machine for harvesting soybeans. Ensure you attach a grain header to your harvester.
- Trailer: For transporting your harvested soybeans from the field to selling points or your farm silo.
Alt text: Farming Simulator 22 equipment setup recommendation for soybean farming, including tractor, cultivator, seeder, weeder, harvester, fertilizer spreader, and trailer.
Step-by-Step Guide to Soybean Farming in FS22
Let’s dive into the practical steps of growing soybeans, from preparing your field to selling your harvest.
Step 1: Field Cultivation
For soybeans, cultivating the field is typically sufficient. Unless the game specifically advises plowing (often indicated by the field information), a cultivator will do the job. Drive your tractor with the cultivator attached onto your field, lower the cultivator, and begin working the soil. This creates the ideal seedbed for your soybeans.
Step 2: Sowing Soybean Seeds
Attach your soybean seeder to your tractor and head to the prepared field. Make sure you have purchased soybean seeds from the shop and refilled your seeder by parking next to the seed pallet and using the refill function. Select soybeans as the crop in your seeder’s menu. Position your tractor at one edge of the field, lower the seeder, turn it on, and start sowing row by row. Don’t worry about perfect straight lines at first; focus on covering the entire field.
Tip: Avoid speeding up time during sowing for even crop growth.
Step 3: Fertilizing for Optimal Yield
Fertilizing is crucial for maximizing your soybean yield. Purchase Solid Fertilizer Bigbags from the shop. Attach your fertilizer spreader, refill it next to the Bigbag, and then drive onto your soybean field. Turn on the spreader and cover the entire field. Check the field information in the corner of your screen – it should now show 50% fertilization.
Tip: For a 100% fertilization level and even higher yields, fertilize again after sowing. Alternatively, manure or slurry spreaders with double activation rate can achieve 100% fertilization in one pass.
If the field analysis indicates a need for lime, purchase lime and apply it using a lime spreader following the same procedure as fertilizing.
Step 4: Weed Control
Weeds will inevitably appear in your soybean field. Act quickly and use your weeder while the weeds are still in their first growth stage. Weeding at this stage is efficient and prevents yield reduction. If weeds progress beyond the first stage, you’ll need more expensive solutions like a hoe or field sprayer. If you are playing with crop destruction enabled, use narrow tires on your tractor to minimize damage to your soybean plants during weeding.
Tip: You can speed up time until weeds begin to sprout, but then slow down to address them promptly.
Step 5: Harvesting Your Soybean Crop
Once your soybeans are fully grown (check the crop growth stage in the field information), it’s harvest time! Attach the grain header to your harvester. Drive the harvester to the field, lower the header, start the engine, and begin harvesting.
Tip: If you prefer a less time-sensitive approach, you can disable plant withering in the game settings.
Alt text: Farming Simulator 22 soybean harvest in progress, showcasing a harvester with a grain header working in a mature soybean field.
Step 6: Selling Your Soybean Harvest
Entry-level harvesters have smaller tanks that fill up quickly. When the tank is full, pull up your trailer alongside the harvester. Extend the harvester’s unloading pipe over the trailer, and it will automatically unload the soybeans until the trailer is full. Consult the prices screen to find the best selling point for soybeans. Consider storing your harvest in a silo if prices are currently low, as prices fluctuate throughout the year. Drive your trailer to the chosen selling point and unload in the designated area.
Tip: Silos are valuable for storing soybeans and selling when market prices are high.
Tip: The prices screen displays price variations over the in-game year, helping you make informed selling decisions.
Congratulations, Soybean Farmer!
You’ve successfully planted, harvested, and sold your soybeans in Farming Simulator 22! Soybean farming is a rewarding venture, offering a great balance of profitability and ease of management. As you become more comfortable, explore other crops and farming techniques to expand your agricultural empire in Farming Simulator Academy. Happy farming!
Alt text: Farming Simulator Academy congratulates players on soybean farming success, encouraging continued learning and virtual farming journey.
