NEWS

The ISA Checkoff Program funds the University of Illinois Crop Science Variety Trials in protein and oil testing. Farmers can use the data to decide to grow varieties with elevated quality characteristics and capitalize on premium pricing opportunities.

As farmers start planning their wheat harvest and soybean planting, Soy Envoy Leo Rocha continues his soybean pathology series with a summary of some research projects developed at Southern Illinois University looking into the impact of wheat on the soybean cyst nematode.

Early in the growing season, many factors often reduce soybean plant stands - freezing temperatures, hail, slugs, disease, etc. A soybean field with poor seedling vigor, slow plant growth, and low plant stand often triggers an “I need to fix this” impulse; however, these fields don’t always need to be replanted.

Stephanie Porter, Illinois Soybean Association Outreach Agronomist, gives an update from two soybean fields in Illinois that were affected by frost and cold temperatures in April. She provides observations made and how planting dates and seed depth mattered in these situations.

Soy Envoy Matt Herman provides an update from Southern Illinois and explores the idea of planting soybeans with a drone in Richland County.

As we close out April and begin the month of May, farmers are constantly faced with decisions filled with risk. Soy Envoy Crystal Williams gives a soybean planting update from Northern Illinois.