FEBRUARY 2024
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CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2024
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Volume 4 Issue 4
Welcome to Soybean Summit 2024 Join Illinois Field & Bean Magazine for an in-depth look at the high-energy presentations, breakout sessions, and innovative content shared at the 2024 Soybean Summit held February 1 in Champaign, Ill.
10 Conservation That Makes Cents: Understanding Carbon Markets Before enrolling in any of the available carbon programs, farmers should start with one important step.
14 Unwelcome Guests Pests are often a presentation topic at the annual Soybean Summit. Learn more about what pests to expect and what to do about them in the 2024 growing season.
18 Soybean Success: No Longer a Secret Join University of Illinois postdoctoral researcher Dr. Connor Sible, who encourages farmers pushing for optimal yields to deploy a full-package strategy.
22 The Role of Research What can ISA-funded research do for you? This was the question Jennifer Jones, ISA Research Agronomist, posed to attendees during her Summit presentation.
24 ILSoyAdvisor Award Winners Meet the 2023 ILSoyAdvisor Award Winners.
DEPARTMENTS 4
FROM THE BOARDROOM
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CEO'S MESSAGE
COVER: This special issue of Illinois Field & Bean provides a recap of the 2024 Soybean Summit, rolling out a rich lineup of expert topics ranging from the latest agronomic insights, sustainable production and agribusiness management advice, along with actionable recommendations to improve farmer yields, sustainably, and boost bottom lines. Readers will find more information on ISA’s on-farm trialing service, gain a deeper understanding of our checkoff-funded research projects, and explore carbon markets. Welcome to the 2024 Soybean Summit!
FROM THE BOARDROOM | Funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff CHAIRMAN Ron Kindred, Atlanta District 9 VICE CHAIRMAN Brad Daugherty, West Union District 14 SECRETARY Tim Scates, Carmi At-Large TREASURER Bryan Severs, Potomac District 7 ASSISTANT SECRETARY-TREASURER Dwayne Anderson, Lynn Center District 3 GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR Steve Pitstick, Maple Park District 2 MARKET DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR Brian Atteberry, Carmi District 16 SOYBEAN PRODUCTION COMMITTEE CHAIR Brady Holst, Plymouth At-Large
David Niekamp, Coatsburg | District 8 Elliott Uphoff, Shelbyville | District 10 Matt Murray, Paxton | District 11 Brock Willard, Pittsfield | District 12 Heath Houck, Nokomis | District 13 Jeff Parker, Belleville | District 15 Nick Harre, Nashville | District 17 Rick Rubenacker, McLeansboro | District 18 AT-LARGE DIRECTORS Betsey Emerick, Vandalia Jeff O'Connor, Kankakee David Wessel, Chandlerville UNITED SOYBEAN BOARD (USB) Dwayne Anderson, Lynn Center Gary Berg, St. Elmo Lynn Rohrscheib, Fairmount David Wessel, Chandlerville AMERICAN SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION (ASA) Stan Born, Mahomet Daryl Cates, Columbia Jered Hooker, Clinton Jim Martin, Pontiac Bill Raben, Ridgway Rob Shaffer, El Paso Roberta Simpson-Dolbeare, Nebo Bill Wykes, Yorkville
DIRECTORS Ryan Frieders, Waterman | District 1 Buck Hill, Grand Ridge | District 4 Mark Read, Putnam | District 5 Jim Martin, Pontiac | District 6 STAFF CREDITS Publisher | Michael Whitmer Managing Editor | Betsy Osman Staff Contributor | Jennifer Jones Staff Contributor | Olivia Key Staff Contributor | Brynna Sentel OTHER ISA STAFF Chief Executive Officer | John Lumpe Director of Operations | Dustin Scott Director of Market Development | Todd Main Director of Finance | Kati Owen Director of Government Relations & Strategy | Andrew Larson Director of Agronomy | Abigail Peterson Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG) is owner of Illinois Field & Bean, a publication for Illinois soybean farmers, designed and written to provide timely and useful industry information. Illinois Field & Bean is published by the Illinois Soybean Association, 1108 Trinity Lane, Bloomington, IL, 61704. For address corrections, contact Illinois Field & Bean at 1108 Trinity Lane, Bloomington, IL, 61704. Phone 309-663-7692. Web address: www.ilsoy.org. Email: ilsoy@ilsoy.org. Comments and statewide news articles should be sent to the above address. Advertising space reservations must be made by the first of the month preceding publication. In consideration of the acceptance of advertisement, the agency and the advertiser must, in respect of the contents of the advertisement, indemnify and save the publisher harmless against any expense arising from claims or actions against the publisher because of the publication of the content of the advertisement. FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION Michael Whitmer Publisher Email: michael.whitmer@ilsoy.org
4 February 2024
BRADY HOLST | SOYBEAN PRODUCTION COMMITTEE CHAIR | ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION
Fielding Issues That Matter Most The ‘Why’ Behind Soybean Summit
Why is Soybean Summit different from most of the other agronomic meetings going on in the winter months? It's because of the wide range of activities the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) agronomy team leads. Those projects contribute to a broader array of discussions beyond the normal agronomy topics covered at other winter meetings for farmers. From fielding in-season agronomy questions, to developing partnerships from many different organizations, the agronomy team’s breadth of objectives was displayed at this capstone event. Soybean production requires extensive knowledge in an ever-changing agriculture industry. Soybean Summit reflects this with the topics it covers. The organizations involved bring together insights to help position Illinois farmers for the 2024 growing season. This includes supply chain updates from the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association; panel discussions with experts from universities, crop protection companies, and other groups on new disease pressures; and updates on changing regulations. The information discussed will make a difference in the upcoming growing season. Soybean Summit has also become the best way to showcase ongoing research for Illinois farmers, who will benefit from the studies. A research poster competition hosted university students, in the afternoon to talk about how their research can be used in Illinois fields this year. This competition also showed how the ISA's funded research is helping answer questions farmers ask throughout the year. Other breakout sessions featured discussions about the research going on around the U.S. that the association funds and disseminates so farmers and the agriculture industry benefit. Issues that matter most to farmers were at the center of the topics covered at this year’s Soybean Summit. The best way to have your voice heard was through questions of the panelists at this year’s event. Each breakout had a panel discussion about Red Crown Rot, the past year’s insect pressures all around the state, and other important topics. Each panel was packed with experts who specialize in the topics covered. If you missed Soybean Summit this year, you can find the live stream recording on ISA's YouTube channel, ILSoyAdvisor.com.
CEO'S MESSAGE | Funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff
We Never Stop Learning In an industry as dynamic as soybean farming, constant learning is as essential as a slow, soaking rain in July. Without it, we are literally left in yesterday’s dust. Each season gives us an opportunity to use important data and new research to inform our farm management decisions and also to help us identify a better path forward. With new inputs, new tools and techniques, it’s a perpetual invitation to reinvent the soybean world that we knew and grew comfortable with just the year before. We never stop learning. This same philosophy has become the driving force behind the transformation we are spearheading at the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA). From the outset, our goal has been to find what works and do it. Our farmer leaders are not only supporters of that school of thought, they are the inspiration behind our strategic growth, driving this organization forward. But commitment to continuous learning is more than just a tactic on a glossy brochure. It is the linchpin that keeps ISA vibrant and on-mission in its service to members. We stand on the lookout for new ways to build bridges, to make connections and to serve Illinois soybean farmers who are the core of everything we do. The soybean landscape is in constant flux, demanding a commitment to learning and to embracing innovation. At ISA, we have worked diligently to provide farmers with a wealth of learning resources that keep them updated on the latest industry developments. ISA has become a hub for knowledge, ensuring farmers have the tools to stay competitive on a global scale. A prime example of this is our annual Soybean Summit, which has become a can’t-miss event for soybean farmers across the state. At the event, we roll out a rich lineup of expert agronomists, researchers and industry professionals who offer the latest insights and farm management advice. Over these pages, you’ll get an inside look at the 2024 Soybean Summit and hear from some of this year’s key presenters. Reoccurring themes at this year’s event included maximized profitability, sustainability and driving new value back to our soybean farmers for doing things a better way. ISA is committed to championing sustainable farming practices but always with a clear acknowledgement that profitability comes first. Our goal for
JOHN LUMPE | CEO | ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION
Soybean Summit, Better Beans and other agronomic outreach events is straightforward. We want to empower farmers with the knowledge and tools to implement best practices on their own terms, securing the productivity, profitability and sustainability of their farms for generations. Learning is a tactic of change-management and a necessary component of innovation and success. Your soybean checkoff is invested in your growth, enhanced competencies, confidence and opportunities. Because a better you means a better Illinois and a better future for our entire industry.
February 2024
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Funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff
Welcome to Soybean Summit 2024
I
f you weren’t able to join the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) at the annual Soybean Summit event for the latest in soybean production – you missed out! But not to worry. Illinois Field & Bean Magazine is here to catch you up on the high-energy, information-packed keynote sessions that kicked off the event. Attendees learned how to implement yield-maximizing techniques while preserving soil health, then discovered ISA’s on-farm trialing service and all it can offer. Here’s a quick review of these high-quality sessions. Keynote 1 Achieving High Yield Soybeans While Protecting the Soil Chris Weaver, “The Podfather” In Keynote 1, The Podfather, as Chris Weaver is known, took us straight to the dirt with a lively and informative, no-frills talk on his own hard-earned, well-proven no-till, no-irrigation strategy. A sixth-generation farmer from Finksburg, Md., Chris farms with his parents and his wife, Megan, and their two kids. The Weaver operation grows soybeans, corn and rye for distilleries. Chris and his family pride themselves on thinking of new ways of increasing yield while still protecting and doing what is right for the soil. He shared yield-maximizing techniques that preserve soil health. The Weavers started pushing yields in 2010 and have had great success achieving soybean yields
of 158 bu. per acre on nonirrigated land. But Chris has never been satisfied with the status quo of agriculture and refuses to be told there is something farmers cannot achieve. His ultimate goal: growing 200+bushel, no-till, non-irrigated soybeans. “I enjoy growing high-yielding beans and being challenged,” he said. “People say you can’t spread fertilizer in the winter and push the envelope. Well, I’m the guy doing it.” As Chris puts it, he eats, sleeps and breathes high-yielding soybeans. He advocates treating every acre as a high-yielding acre. Acknowledging that his approach isn’t for everyone, Chris maintains that if you keep an open mind, you can still learn something from it. “I do no-till, but I’m not opposed to working ground,” he said. “That’s just what works best in my area. Like irrigation – I have both irrigated and non-irrigated acres, depending on what works best.” Years back, the Weavers started doing their own on-farm trials, instead of viewing what the neighbors and others were doing. “We do our own research plots on the farm,” he said, “and it has helped us a lot over the years, like eliminating high-salt products – we don’t use those now.” Although products were labeled low or high salt, for example, trialing let the Weavers test them and knock low-performers out of the rotation. Since starting small with just 125 acres of test plots (Chris originally blocked out 75 but
kept adding), they’ve expanded to a variety of different plots, sometimes testing 75 varieties of soybeans. And he loves to share the information they glean from the trials. “I’m an open book,” he said. “My good friend Terry Vissing, one of the original Yield Masters, and Kevin Kalb started Midwest Advanced Crop Consulting, and I’ve been with them talking about our years of producing high-yielding soybeans and the data we have.” He believes his story resonates with fellow farmers because he
isn't selling snake oil. Instead, he is truly trying to increase yields. “I’m a farmer, and I have an agronomy degree,” he said. “I believe it’s possible to talk about adjusting herbicides and chemicals, and at the same time talk yields.” Biologicals have made the difference, Chris said. He calls it feeding the biologicals you have. And soil testing is critical – he tests religiously three times a year, even during the growing season. (See Welcome to Soybean Summit 2024, page 8)
Chris Weaver, “The Podfather”
A PUBLICATION OF THE ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION
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Welcome to Soybean Summit 2024 (continued from page 7)
So after years of production and data on high-yielding soybeans, what can’t Chris live without? The answer, as they say, might surprise you: “GPS, recordkeeping – and weigh tickets.” Nope, not yield monitoring (though it’s great for soil samples, he said). Yield monitors are too easy to manipulate, Chris said. He believes you can make them say what you want, go faster or slower to change the numbers, and take an of-the-moment screen capture to “prove” it. No, Chris runs everything through scale tickets, believing that’s the most accurate, indisputable way to track yields. The Weavers take everything over the scale to be sure of their numbers. So going into 2024, what should every farmer be doing, according to The Podfather? Go in with an open mind, ask questions, calibrate your planters three times - and live by your scale tickets. Keynote 2 Growing the On-Farm Trial Network Stacy Zuber, Ph.D., and Abigail Peterson, CCA, Illinois Soybean Association If you’ve ever wondered where your checkoff is going and wanted a direct line to some of the state’s most connected agronomists, you
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can get a front-row seat to the field by joining the ISA On-Farm Trial Network. “This is the best way to see new research, get access to experts and engage with our agronomists,” said Abigail Peterson, CCA, Director of Agronomy for ISA. The goal of the network is to assess the best potential and resilient cropping systems, while addressing sustainability and maintaining profitability. “Maybe you want to adopt some conservation practices, but some of the advice isn’t practical for your farm, for example,” said Stacy Zuber, Ph.D., ISA Research Data Scientist. ISA trials provide opportunities for any Illinois farmer, covering a wide variety of current and future topics, such as long-term strip till; cover crops; no-till; and evaluating long-term soil health and system management over three, five and 10 years. “Certain soils in Illinois’ central and northern sections have prairie soils, so we’ll be looking at how those can work in both the short and long terms, for example,” Zuber explained. The network will include Action Trials, as well. Designed to help growers react quickly to concerns, these shorter-term assessments have a faster turnaround and could extend through a single growing season or even part of a growing season. “The goal is to collect information quickly and get it back out so that growers can be actionable immediately,” said Zuber. “It could be fungicide, new pests, weather concerns, herbicides or weed management – a range of topics are possible.”
Stacy Zuber, Ph.D., Research Data Scientist, Illinois Soybean Association
Participating growers will also be able to determine their level of cropland and time enrolled in the program – and no amount is too small. “It could be as small as 1 acre of a check strip or larger, depending on the size of their equipment and field breakdown,” she said. “We want to have these shorter trials as well as the longer trials that we can split in any way and put more statistical data behind the trials research universities are conducting.” In fact, the vision is for the ISA On-Farm Trial Network to be a great supplement to university research, which can be limited by smaller plots, restrictions by participating suppliers and fewer locations. ISA aims to build on the great research Illinois universities are conducting – a bridge between industry and university. “Our goal is to get textbook guidelines to actual farms,” said Peterson. “For farmers who want to be even more resilient and profitable, this is a great opportunity. We put a high value on farmers’ time, and on the quality
data their farm trials will provide.” The ISA On-Farm Trial Network will have something for every farmer and provides a flexible, simple way for growers to collect data from their own farms that answer questions about their individual land and production strategies. “We know that the growers with good conservation practices tend to be more resilient,” said Zuber, “and participating in trials will help them build that. We will help them identify practices to help minimize risk and to protect the environment while maintaining profitability, yield and farm health.” Editor's note: Growers should watch for a Producer Concern Survey coming soon from ISA to identify topics farmers want to see researched, challenges they’re facing and what strategies they can most use on their farms. The survey will also provide a space for growers to indicate their interest in participating in the ISA On-Farm Trial Network.
unitedsoybean.org
RESEARCHING A BETTER BEAN
Whether you’re dealing with drought, flood, heat or other climate-related stress, the soy checkoff is working behind the scenes to diversify U.S. soybean genetics and increase stress tolerance. We’re looking inside the bean, beyond the bushel and around the world to keep preference for U.S. soy strong. And it’s helping make a valuable impact for soybean farmers like you. See more ways the soy checkoff is maximizing profit opportunities for soybean farmers at unitedsoybean.org
Brought to you by the soy checkoff. ©2018 United Soybean Board. Our Soy Checkoff and the Our Soy Checkoff mark are trademarks of United Soybean Board. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
A PUBLICATION OF THE ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION IL AD_8.25 x 10.75_3-25-19.indd 4
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Conservation That Makes Cents:
Understanding Carbon Markets
might want to use cover crops to help keep expensive nutrient applications in their field, while others might be investigating the use of no-till because of its potential to reduce labor. The Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership (ISAP) recently collaborated with ISA to develop a guidebook introducing famers to soil health practices by demonstrating how they could address problems on their farm. Setting a goal is critical for farmers to evaluate the success of the conservation practices they implement, encouraging growers to maintain practices past the availability of incentive funding. Implementation and continuation of conservation practices is vital for Illinois farmers to meet Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy goals, lower carbon intensity of grain and maintain profitability. A trusted conservation agronomist can help you evaluate your operation, set your conservation goals, implement new conservation practices and even explore potential conservation funding programs around the state. Visit the ISAP website to review their Conservation Story Map and find an agronomist or nearby farmer with conservation expertise to help you on your conservation journey. Once you know your conservation goals and have a plan for implementing your conservation practices for the first time, review the different incentive programs around the state. ISAP has developed both a carbon market comparison table and a cover crop incentive directory to help farmers understand the opportunities around the state.
by Megan Miller Whether it is a carbon market, a USDA Partnerships for ClimateSmart Commodities program, or a federal/state conservation program, there are plenty of opportunities for farmers to reduce the financial risk associated with the implementation of new conservation practices. As of this past summer, there were 15 carbon and ecosystem services markets available to Illinois farmers. Additionally, over 20 Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities programs are scheduled to start in Illinois in 2024, and the federal government has earmarked funding from the Inflation Reduction Act for NRCS conservation programs such as EQIP and CSP. These programs incentivize reducing tillage, adding cover crops, reducing fertilizer rates or adjusting fertilizer timing with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increasing water quality. Although most of the programs publicly address carbon, they are actually accounting for the reduction of all GHG emissions, such as nitrous oxide, and calculating the reductions in terms of carbon dioxide equivalents. Before enrolling in any of the programs available, the most important thing farmers can do is outline their conservation goals. Some farmers
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As you review this resource, pay attention to the contract length and how that compares to any leases you might have. Some programs require a letter from a landowner for farmers to enroll. Also, ask your market representative or program manager how the carbon market is funded. It is important to understand if the program receives private, federal or state funding. Remember, you can’t sell a carbon credit to two different programs, and you can’t receive multiple sources of federal and state funding for the same practice on the same acre. You can, however, stack private and federal money. ISAP has developed a stacking matrix to help growers understand how they can maximize their funding for cover crops. The funding source can also impact your payment schedule. Some programs work on a reimbursement basis; some programs pay after practice implementation verification, and some programs pay over a multi-year vested schedule. After you’ve selected a program, you will need to provide historic and current field management information as well as plans for future conservation practice implementation. Because of the high cost of soil sampling, all carbon programs use models to estimate sequestered carbon or avoided emissions. The ISA Agronomy Team developed a Carbon Data Guidebook that outlines the data and field information needed for carbon market enrollment. Always ask your program representatives how the data provided will be used. (See Conservation That Makes Cents, page 12)
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Conservation That Makes Cents (continued from page 10)
Finally, review any practice implementation standards and requirements with your program representatives. If enrolling in a federally funded program (e.g. Climate-Smart or EQIP), do not assume that they all have the same standards and requirements. Following your selected program’s management standards, such as cover crop seeding rate and termination methods, is imperative for receiving payment. Be sure to also understand the verification methods that will be used. Field visits, soil sampling, water sampling, receipt audits and satellite verification are all common. Navigating the different funding opportunities can be confusing, but always remember the ISA Agronomy Team is here to help as you make the transition into new or expanded conservation agriculture practices. Be sure to visit www. ilsoyadvisor.com to stay updated on the latest developments in the carbon market space and to ask the team any questions you might have.
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12 February 2024
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Top photo courtesy of SNI Global
A PUBLICATION OF THE ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION
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Funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff
Unwelcome Guests What Pests are Lurking in Your Soybean Fields? By Mace Thornton
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The dectes stem borer larva can be seen inside the soybean stem. Agronomists recommend a robust scouting program to determine whether control programs are worth the cost.
either Nick Seiter nor Kelly Estes has ever come eye-to-antenna with an adult gall midge fly in an Illinois soybean field, nor have they encountered it in its slimier orange larval stage. But if they ever do, the dreaded soybean pest will know it has met a worthy opponent. The damaging soybean pest isn’t the only potential crop-muncher on the minds of Seiter, a University of Illinois Extension Crop Entomologist, or Estes, the state of Illinois’ Ag Pest Coordinator. The two scientists told soybean farmers gathered for the Soybean Summit that they are also surveilling other members of the soybean-loving insect kingdom, such as the dectes stem borer, the green clover worm and the bean leaf beetle. Overall, the researchers noted higher pest populations in some areas of the state in 2023, but nothing so major as to present a significant yield challenge. And each of those situations was controllable with timely pesticide applications. But the best pest news of 2023 had to be the fact that the destructive gall midge was not documented as present in Illinois. Of all potential soybean pests, the gall midge rep-
A PUBLICATION OF THE ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION
resents one of the biggest potential perils. Although, according to Seiter, the pest has not yet been spotted in Illinois, neighboring states such as Missouri and Iowa – fields as close as 100 miles away — are already midge battlegrounds. Soybean farmers in western Iowa and parts of Nebraska have encountered severe economic losses resulting from early plant death. “The gall midge is a little fly larva,” said Seiter, who also teaches in the University of Illinois Crop Sciences Department and studies pests of both soybeans and corn. “It gets in behind the epidermis of the soybean stem, and usually there are a lot of them. It's not just one back there feeding; it's maybe dozens of them, and if you have a severe enough infestation, they cause the plants to die early.” Seiter told the farmers the gall midge invades fields around June or July, and damage progresses through the season. Loss from the pest is devastating and can be confused with the soil-borne fungal disease sudden death syndrome. Although his work also includes research on corn rootworms and alternative
(See Unwelcome Guests, page 16)
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Funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff
Unwelcome Guests (continued from page 15)
University of Illinois Extension Crop Entomologist Nick Seiter calls the gall midge a destructive soy pest, and it's not far from the state's western border.
methods of pest control, the march of the gall midge across the Midwest has put him on high alert. The good news is that in the gall midge portion of the 2023 state pest survey, conducted along the border of northwestern Illinois, Seiter did not detect any signs of the pest crossing state lines. The survey covered a significant stretch of Illinois, ranging from the tip of Missouri along the Iowa border and up to Wisconsin with inspections occurring every five to seven miles driven. An advantage for scientists hunting the gall midge is that
Pests such as the bean leaf beetle can be controlled before they cause extreme yield damage.
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it tends to favor habitat along field edges, but as Seiter says, “Borders on state maps do not deter them.” Although Seiter continues to hunt for the gall midge in hopes of not finding it, his effort is just one small component of the larger Illinois Pest Survey coordinated by Estes. An Illinois native, she manages the collaborative effort among the Illinois Department of Agriculture, USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, which funds the survey, and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The annual pest survey looks at all crop types, including corn, soybeans, specialty crops, and covers and includes a varied landscape of study sites. “We also look at what we would consider high-risk pathways for how invasive species might be introduced,
Funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff not; things like rest areas if they are hitching a ride on cars or trucks, rail lines and other modes of transportation,” she said. However, with deep experience in field crop agronomy, entomology and integrated pest management, she finds the field work and collaboration associated with multiple field-crop and pest surveys the most appealing. Each year, among Illinois’ nine crop reporting districts, Estes visits five to six counties in each district, with five random scouting stops in each county. “There'll be soybeans across from or adjacent to corn,” she said. “We're doing sweeps in soybeans – literally taking a net and swooshing it back and forth among the plant canopies – and then we’re also doing rootworm counts in corn.” Like Seiter, Estes is looking along field edges and hoping not to find the soybean gall midge. In addition, she leads invasive insect scouting that uses both sweeping and traps. In all, this year’s survey included 59 counties in Illinois.
Other pests such as the dectes stem borer, the green clover worm and the bean leaf beetle are in Illinois. To soybean growers, they are a bigger challenge, but only because of the fact they are present. Seiter explains that unlike the gall midge, they do not kill the plant and can be controlled before they cause extreme yield damage. “The bean leaf beetle, at least in our locations, is pretty easy to control,” Seiter said. “And it was a pretty serious year for green clover worm, but most things we applied did a pretty good job of controlling them, though not everything. There were some pyrethroids in particular that I would have expected to provide pretty effective control, but they did not.” As for controlling field pests, Seiter and Estes recommend a robust scouting program to first determine if additional control efforts are worth the cost and time. “What we find is that for the pests we have right now, the numbers have to approach
pretty incredible levels to warrant additional steps,” Seiter said. Although the insects might be munching on soybean leaves, they often don’t result in much yield loss. If farmers have concerns, he says, it is best to wait
until those pests are spotted before treating because of the short window of effectiveness for most pesticides. After approval, the final Pest Survey Report will be posted here: https://go.illinois.edu/pestmanagementresearchreport.
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1-877-ENVITA1 info@envitasupport.com Kelly Estes, the state of Illinois' Ag Pest Coordinator, manages the state's Pest Survey Report. In all, this year’s survey included 59 counties in Illinois.
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Funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff
Soybean Success: No Longer a Secret
By Mace Thornton
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gronomists at the University of Illinois haven’t yet cracked all the codes to the secret formula for soybean production in the Prairie State. But they are on the leading edge of the curve, thanks to their shared commitment to continuous improvement alongside the state's soybean farmers. Although yield trends are an upwardly moving target because of the breakneck speed of agronomic innovation, University of Illinois Postdoctoral Researcher Dr. Connor Sible spilled the beans during the recent Soybean Summit about what might be the optimal soybean growing strategy in Illinois for 2024. According to Sible, who works alongside noted Professor of Crop Physiology Dr. Fred Below in the Department of Crop Sciences at
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the U of I, the recipe to soybean yield success in Illinois requires a comprehensive and season-long approach. "The big picture is holistic,” he said. “Soybeans have a lot of potential the day they are planted, but soybeans can also be lazy. The big key is that once the plant makes it through the soil, it’s important to maintain a consistent push throughout the growing season.” Farmers pushing for optimal yields need to deploy a full-package strategy, Dr. Sible explains. That starts with fall fertility before planting, then with selecting the right planting date and caring for the plants all the way through foliage maturity. "It all ties together from a systems approach,” he said. “If you do one thing here or there, you can see little bumps, but it's when you piece it all together that
you are going to see the greatest advantage.”
Old Fertility For starters, Sible emphasizes the importance of a long-known agronomic saying, “Soybeans like old fertility.” “Soybeans really have a preference for residual nutrients from the previous year's corn crop,” he said. “In a four-year study comparing fall- and spring-applied phosphorus ahead of soybeans, we observed consistent positive phosphorus responses in the first three years, where fall treatments outperformed spring applications.” Sible said the 2023 phosphorus study showed no fertilizer-age preference, which he theorizes might have been weather-related. Sible said the “old fertility” preference is likely related to an innovative theory by Ph.D.
candidate Marcos Loman, who has suggested that fall-applied fertility stimulates the breakdown of corn stalks and residues. “This stimulation potentially aids in the mineralization of residue, benefiting soybeans in the subsequent spring,” Sible explained. “This theory proposes advantages such as improved residue breakdown, enhanced nutrient cycling and smoother planting conditions, supporting the notion that fall fertility may provide a substantial advantage for soybean cultivation in Illinois.” Planting Date In a challenge to traditional farming practices, Sible said, research is showing that earlier planting dates for soybeans can play a crucial role in increased production.
Funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff “There is an evolving understanding,” he said. "We used to plant corn first, then worry about soybeans. We're learning you can put soybeans in early and not only get higher yields, but they are able to tolerate suboptimal conditions quite a bit better. This shift in strategy is supported by research findings, demonstrating that early soybean and later corn plantings create higher dual-crop yield advantages compared to early corn and later soybeans.” This year, the research group planted its first soybean plots between April 10 and April 15. Sible said the team got “a little nervous” when it got cold between the 15th and 25th, but the soybeans emerged and prospered through the growing season with greater tolerance. Yields were "pretty decent.” If corn had been planted in that early plot, Sible said, it likely would have required replanting. He encourages farmers to run their own small-scale trials to see if early soybean planting works on their farms. “It’s a potential win-win situation,” he said. “Give it a try. Don't put the whole farm in, but if you have a smaller field that could go and you usually would wait, test it, put the planter out there and then, by the end of the year, you'll know whether the decision was worth it or not.” Foliar Protection Once the soybeans are in beginning pod (R3) stage, achieving yield success becomes a matter of foliar protection, according to Sible. The recommended application timing at R3, according to Sible, is during the second half of July for early-planted soybeans and the first two weeks of August for late-planted soybeans. “Foliar protection is essential. Even in dry years with limited disease pressure, we see around a 4 bu.-per-acre response, with expectations of greater impact in years with higher disease pressure,” Sible said. This protection involves the application of fungicide with insecticide. Sible noted
that most growers who apply foliar treatment do it only once, with the primary focus on safeguarding the leaf foliage. "Everything about boosting soybean yield at that point is about protecting that leaf foliage,” he said. “The unique nature of soybeans is that the majority of photosynthates come from the nearest trifoliate [a compound leaf made of three leaflets]. Protecting that foliage is one key to higher yields.” Seed Treatments and Biologicals Another soybean production practice creating “a lot of market buzz” these days is the use of seed treatments and biologicals, according to Sible. But there are hits and misses. Sible said that has been the case with bradyrhizobium, a traditional microbe used on soybean nodules. “Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. It’s basically a plus or minus 2 bu. per acre.” “The reason is that if you have been in a long-term corn-soybean rotation, you already have bradyrhizobium in your soil,” he said. “Inoculating your seed is just kind of like a drop in an already full bucket. Some still swear by it, but we already have it in our soil, so we prefer adding a symbiotic play.” Sible is exploring alternative approaches, such as the introduction of the micronutrient molybdenum to the seed to feed existing nitrogen-fixing microbes. “We have been putting molybdenum on the seed instead of a microbe with the idea that you are now giving the existing microbes the tools they need,” he said. “We are seeing good, consistent results now on soybeans, around 2.5 bu. per acre. That may not sound like much, but the cost of these seed treatments would pay at that response.” Sible also discussed the role of bacillus in the biologicals space. He noted their overall prevalence in soils and their contribution to phosphorus cycling and organic
University of Illinois Postdoctoral Researcher Dr. Connor Sible (right) works alongside Professor of Crop Physiology Dr. Fred Below. Sible's research focuses on plant growth regulators, biologicals, and biostimulants in corn and soybean cropping systems.
matter breakdown. He explained how advanced gene sequencing tools are helping to identify and concentrate specific microbes for use as more effective inoculants to enhance organic matter cycling and release nutrients such as sulfur and nitrogen. “It’s like giving the whole organic-matter cycling process an espresso boost, accelerating it a bit compared to what it would do on its own,” he said. Cover Crops and Double Crops The use of cover crops and double cropping are also hot topics on the Illinois soybean circuit. "There are many benefits to cover crops that have been well documented,” Sible said. “You think about the soil moisture penetration, aeration, soil structure and reduced runoff.” During periods when cover crops might not work as well, such as dry weather, Sible said, there are options to give them a boost. He credits research conducted by graduate student Darby Danzl for providing a solution through early cover crop termination, and the addition of ammonium thiosulfate (ATS), microbial additives and a microbe-stimulating mixture, such as simple sugar
A PUBLICATION OF THE ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION
and humic acid, to the termination tank to enhance cover crop decomposition. “When implementing ATS and microbial additives, yields rebounded, though it did not surpass the control without cover crops,” Sible said. “But it shows we are developing the right processes and heading in the right direction.” When questioned about the impression that cover crops don't work in Illinois, Sible underscores the need for adaptation and management changes and a bit of “trial and error.” The U of I researcher also addressed the potential of double cropping soybeans following winter wheat, noting higher soybean yields with similar microbial strategies to break down and release nutrients from winter wheat straw. The strategy is so effective that Sible is an advocate for extending cover crop benefits and incentives to double crops, such as wheat followed by soybeans. "I would 100% love to see double cropping winter wheat and soybeans qualify for the same benefits that cover crops do,” he said. “In some cases, it’s almost better season-long coverage than terminating a cover crop early.”
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A West African Poultry Farmer Prefers Your U.S. Soybean Meal
“I prefer U.S. Soy because I learned about its quality through WISHH,” says Mathew Bonso who founded Harimat farms in 2018 in the West African country of Ghana. Bonso soon began working with WISHH through its U.S. Department of Agriculture Food for Progress Project. He credits WISHH’s feed quality training, egg nutrition campaign and more as key to the management and profitability of his 50,000-bird flock. Today, WISHH continues to work with Bonso as he expands into broiler production.
20 February 2024
unitedsoybean.org
HELPING YOU DELIVER ON DEMAND
Whether it’s improving soybean meal to outperform the competition or promoting the sustainability of U.S. soy, the soy checkoff has been working behind the scenes to help farmers satisfy their customers’ needs. We’re looking inside the bean, beyond the bushel and around the world to keep preference for U.S. soy strong. And for U.S. soybean farmers like you, the impact is invaluable. See more ways the soy checkoff is maximizing profit opportunities for farmers at unitedsoybean.org
A PUBLICATION OF THE ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION IL-Deliver on Deman Ad 8.25 x 10.75.indd 1
February 2024
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Funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff
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Funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff
The Role of Research By Jennifer Jones, CCA, ISA Research Agronomist What can ISA-funded research do for you? This was the question I posed to attendees of the 2024 Soybean Summit on Feb. 1 in Champaign. As Research Specialist on the Agronomy Team at the Illinois Soybean Association, part of my job is to work with farmers and researchers to curate projects that address soybean production challenges faced by Illinois growers. Checkoff dollars directed toward soybean production research should fund studies that provide new or updated recommendations that will benefit a farm operation or lay groundwork for future studies. Quality research can take time to produce results, but our goal is to provide regular updates on ILSoyAdvisor.com via videos, blogs, social media posts, podcast interviews, fact sheets and at events like our Better Beans series, Soybean Summit and summer field days. At Soybean Summit, I shared updates from a few completed and ongoing research projects. I encourage you to check out the recordings of each Soybean Summit session to hear all the details, but I’ll highlight three projects for you here that I shared. In 2021-22, Dr. Andrew Margenot and his team at University of Illinois conducted a study to evaluate phosphorus best management practices for soybeans to increase nutrient use efficiency, profitability and water quality. Using phosphorus fertilizer trials at Urbana and Ewing, Margenot studied three different phosphorus sources (DAP, MAP and TSP), two rates (maintenance and 75% of maintenance), and three timings and placements (fall broadcast, spring broadcast and spring banding). Several findings came out of this study, but I’ll share one key insight: TSP is as good of a source of P as MAP and DAP for yield, plus it has the added benefit of avoiding nitrogen loss compared to MAP and DAP, especially from fall applications. Numerous resources from this project exist on our Research Hub archive on ILSoyAdvisor. com. You'll find a factsheet, blogs and a recorded webinar of Margenot sharing results. Go to https://www.ilsoyadvisor.com/research/ archive/ to learn more.
University of Illinois Extension Commercial Agriculture Educator Nathan Johanning kicked off a project with his Extension colleagues in fall 2022 to study the importance of cover crop planting date and seeding rate for cereal rye ahead of soybeans and two clover species ahead of corn. With one year of the study complete and the second season of cover crops planted ahead of the 2024 growing season, concrete recommendations are still in the works. But Johanning regularly provides updates through field days and videos, making sure his observations are available to help farmers’ decision-making. In a recent video from December, Johanning shared that earlier cereal rye planting dates (think late September) at lower seeding rates such as 30 lbs. per acre can yield high biomass. Can’t get into the field until late November to plant your cereal rye? Although fall growth will be limited, this late planting can still be worth it, as more growth will occur in the spring. Stay tuned to ILSoyAdvisor.com for more updates and results from this ongoing project. We want checkoff-funded research to work for you, the farmers and advisers out there who rely on unbiased information to make decisions affecting your livelihood. But for the research to work well, we need input from you, those same farmers and advisers. Cue the annual Soybean Production Concerns Survey administered by the Agronomy Team here at ISA. With a new name and revamped questions, the survey will give you the opportunity to let us know of production challenges you are facing on your operation, or the growers’ operations you work with, so that we can better direct research toward those questions. Check the back cover of this magazine for a QR code you can scan with your phone or tablet to go directly to the survey. You can also access the survey year-round on the new ILSoyAdvisor.com Research Hub, which I encourage you to visit to learn about ongoing soybean production research projects.
Dr. Jason Bond, Dr. Ruopu Li and Dr. Ahmad Fakhoury at Southern Illinois University recently wrapped up a three-year project aimed at developing tools to help manage soybean cyst nematode (SCN). They sought innovative techniques to estimate the level of SCN infestation in a farmer’s field, using monitoring and decision-making tools including drone images and some soil sampling. The SIU team found that drone-based multispectral vegetation indices technology, particularly the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), can detect stress to soybeans caused by SCN by assessing the vigor of the soybean canopy at the end of the growing season. They recommend regular UAV flights over soybean fields to help identify SCN infestations and guide targeted SCN management. Learn more about this project on the ILSoyAdvisor Research Hub. A PUBLICATION OF THE ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION
February 2024
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Funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff
2024 SOYBEAN MASTER ADVISOR AWARD RECIPIENT JASON CARR, SOYBEAN TECHNICAL PRODUCT MANAGER AT BAYER CROP SCIENCE
2024 Soybean Master Adviser Award
JASON CARR
In 2016, Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) established the CCA Soybean Master Adviser award in alignment with its mission to help Illinois soybean farmers be the most knowledgeable and profitable soybean producers in the world. This recognition highlights the pivotal contributions of CCAs in enhancing soybean production through their guidance and recommendations to improve yields and profitability. Any active Illinois CCA who is engaged in soybean management, actively collaborates with farmers and displays interest in the field is eligible for nomination. The recipient of the 2024 CCA Soybean Master Adviser award is Jason Carr, who currently holds the position of soybean technical product manager at Bayer Crop Science. In his role, Carr evaluates new soybean germplasm and assists independent licensees with identifying varieties that meet the individual needs of their customers. Previously, he spearheaded agronomic research initiatives involving corn and soybeans, concentrating on devising customized solutions for growers while serving as a technology development
24 February 2024
representative. During this tenure, one of Carr's primary focuses was gathering data spanning multiple seasons to educate farmers about the advantages and risks associated with planting soybeans earlier than traditionally accepted. “It’s a great honor to receive this recognition and to learn together with Illinois soybean farmers how to continue improving the management of this amazing crop,” said Carr. For ten years, Carr dedicated himself to soybean breeding at Monsanto, where he led a team that developed a number of commercially successful varieties in RM groups 2 and 3. Carr's educational background includes a master's in molecular genetics and a bachelor's in natural resources and environmental sciences, both earned at the University of Illinois. Additionally, he is a graduate of the ISA Soy Envoy program and has published over 30 articles on ILSoyAdvisor.com. Carr and his wife, Jill, reside in El Paso, Ill., and have eight children.
Funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff
ILSoyAdvisor
By Olivia Key
Award Winners
The ILSoyAdvisor Awards, presented by ISA, stand as a testament to the association's appreciation and acknowledgment of the efforts demonstrated by Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs) throughout the state of Illinois. The CCA Soybean Master Adviser and Dave Rahe Excellence in Soils Consulting awards not only honor the exceptional contributions of CCAs but also underscore their role in advancing agricultural excellence, promoting sustainable practices and fostering innovation within the Illinois soybean industry. CCAs are at the forefront of Illinois agriculture, serving as trusted advisers and vital pillars supporting Illinois farmers. Their expertise, tailored recommendations and commitment to staying on top of the latest agricultural advancements significantly impact crop productivity, environmental stewardship and overall sustainability. CCAs play a multifaceted role, offering insights into soil health, crop management strategies, pest control and innovative technologies. Their dedication not only elevates individual farm operations but also contributes to the resilience and prosperity of the broader agricultural landscape in Illinois. Stephanie Porter, ISA’s Outreach Agronomist, CCA, and a past recipient of the CCA Soybean Master Adviser award, said, “ISA is proud to recognize CCAs that strive to help farmers be their very best. We also realize that many of these individuals usually don’t get the recognition that they deserve, so this is our way of saying thank you for all that they do for soybean farmers and Illinois agriculture.”
2024 DAVE RAHE EXCELLENCE IN SOILS CONSULTING AWARD RECIPIENT, TERRY WYCISKALLA
Dave Rahe Excellence in Soils Consulting Award
TERRY WYCISKALLA (See ILSoyAdvisor Award Winners, page 26)
A PUBLICATION OF THE ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION
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Funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff
ILSoyAdvisor Award Winners (continued from page 25)
Dave Rahe Excellence in Soils Consulting Award
TERRY WYCISKALLA The Dave Rahe Excellence in Soils Consulting award celebrates an outstanding Illinois CCA for exceptional work in advising on soil matters within the state's soybean production systems. It pays tribute to Dave Rahe, a 2019 CCA Soy Envoy, who had a profound career focus on soil management. Despite his sudden passing in April 2020, his impactful contributions live on through blogs on ILSoyAdvisor.com. The recipient of the 2024 Dave Rahe Excellence in Soils Consulting award is Terry Wyciskalla, the owner and operator of Wyciskalla Consulting, LLC. His expertise lies in soil sampling, nutrient management, precision ag management and soil management. Wyciskalla earned both his bachelor’s and master’s in soil fertility at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) under the guidance of Dr. Edward Varsa. His journey began in 1994 with his inaugural soil sampling program, which has since evolved and expanded. Following this, in 1995, he returned to SIUC and served as a soil fertility researcher for a decade before transitioning into a teaching role for the following six years. His teaching spanned subjects encompassing soils, crops and other various agriculturerelated courses. By the summer of 2011, he dedicated his efforts solely to crop consulting, marking a significant step as his small business continued to thrive and grow. “David Rahe was a friend, mentor, colleague and sounding board to me. So was Kevin Nelson, another great individual that who we lost just a few weeks ago. I was truly shocked and honored to be selected for the Dave Rahe award. I know of many CCAs that are just as, if not more, deserving of this award than I am. Awards like this bring recognition to the many great CCAs out there who work countless, unrecognized hours to make their farm customers successful. Many days, crop advisers can be as grumpy and stressed as the farm producers during busy times of the year. However, awards like this can brighten your day,” said Wyciskalla. In 2001, Wyciskalla earned certifications as a Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) and a Certified Professional Agronomist (CPAg), and in 2015, he acquired the 4R Nutrient Stewardship certification (4R NMS). He was honored as the 2019 Illinois Farm Bureau CCA of the Year. Operating within a 15-county area, Wyciskalla Consulting, LLC now caters to about 150 clients and manages approximately 100,000 acres. Terry and his wife, Renee, reside in Nashville, Ill., where they raise their three children. Wyciskalla and Carr were recognized at both the second annual Impact Awards Banquet and the ILSoyAdvisor Soybean Summit.
26 February 2024
For more information about the ILSoyAdvisor Awards, visit www.ilsoyadvisor.com/ilsoyadvisor-awards/.
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