Hello Mike & All,
Soybeans are not dependable in my area so we do not locate next to soybeans 
only. 
My own observations:
I have seen soybeans make crops over a hundred pounds in the river bottoms 
around Quincy, Illinois. I have seen soybeans make large crops in the 
Mississippi river bottoms on the border of Missouri. Also in the bootheel 
of Missouri area.

 No recent research In fact the only research I know of was done by Ericson 
years ago and published in ABJ.

Many say the color of the flowers is the key with blue being the best for 
bees. others say its the variety. 

My opinion is its the soil,temp and humidity and bees will work soybeans 
when those are right. Also what Ericson came up with if I remember 
correctly.

My observations:
When working soybeans the bees enter the field between 10 and 2 PM. for the 
most part and enter the rows from the outside.

Soybean honey in our area is top notch and similar as our "blue Vine" 
honey. In fact in my opinion most of what is sold in Missouri as Blue Vine 
IS soybean as its hard to find Blue Vine these days. Back when farmers used 
cultivators on corn Blue vine was in every field twisting around the corn 
stalks but burning off the fields with herbicides has killed off most the 
blue vine.

Sincerely,
Bob Harrison

******************************************************
* Full guidelines for BEE-L posting are at:          *
* http://www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm  *
******************************************************