The last of my 2023 soybeans...

"SY 9514014", grain/processing type. From the USDA/ARS 2007, originally from South Korea. Medium early (about 105-110 days dry). Very high protein content (over 50% dry weight) but only a moderate yield. One of the few soybeans which came up well, and were not attacked by critters. 13 ounces of seed.

"Zelena Echo 3", from the estate of Robert Lobitz 2006, originally from the USDA, collected in Hungary. This is another of those with a "gray" seed coat. Medium-large seeds, high protein (~46% dry weight) and a
very high yield. Not bad as edamame; but although the pod yield is high, the low average seeds per pod make it less desirable for that purpose. Possibly good for making soy nuts? The combination of both high protein & high yield is relatively rare in soybeans, so this variety is exceptional. The best soybean performer this year, 30 ounces of seed.

"Gaia", sent to me unsolicited (along with a few other soybeans) from a source since lost. I only had a few seeds, so started them as transplants, and put them in my fenced TLC pots. They were doing well... until deer knocked over the chicken wire, ate half the plants, and topped the rest. The survivors re-sprouted, branched, and had a good pod set - then chipmunks began to harvest the pods!!! The plants were probably one day away from total destruction, so I pulled them & hung them indoors to dry. Not a total loss, and more seed than I started with; but not enough seed to share. The total yield is on the card.
Honorable mention to the total failures this year. Heavy seed corn fly attack in the rural garden... deer, rabbits, turkeys, chipmunks, and mice at home. ?!?!

I've never had such a bad year for soybeans - and with less garden space, having to grow something twice pushes something else back a year.
- Hatsutaka (edamame) which had zero germination (probably the seed corn flies). This is a good variety & not widely grown, so I'll try it again next year from transplants.
- Natsu Kurakake (edamame) great germination, then completely destroyed by turkeys just before harvest. One of my favorite early edamame varieties, so I hope to try it again next year.
- Oosodefuri (edamame), only a single plant survived the seed corn flies, and that one turned out to be one of the few crosses I've ever had in soybeans. Since I have other similar edamame varieties, this one will not be regrown.
- PI 522192 A, black-seeded grain type. Eaten first by rabbits, then the survivors completely stripped by chipmunks.
Oh, and the total failures of favas, tepary beans, two soup peas, and two common beans. There were successes too
(most of those other than beans) but overall, I'm glad to be leaving 2023 in the rear view mirror.

I hope & pray for a kinder, gentler 2024.