Illinois Field & Bean - June 2024

TARGETED SPRAYING. BROADER AVAILABILITY.

6 The Science Behind The Seed

Identif ying genes for useful traits helps breeders develop improved varieties. Better tools pave the way for better decisions. Rapidly developing technology delivers streaming insights on the environment and goodness-of-fit. These are just some of the secrets of successful soybean seed development.

10 Systemic Success

Illinois Field & Bean is exploring everything you need to know about soybean seed treatments. Plus, watch for these signs your crops could benefit from a seed treatment.

14 Meet the 2024 Soy Envoys

Get to know the 2024 ILSoyAdvisor Soy Envoys and learn their advice for growers this season.

20 The Mechanics of 2025 Soybean Seed Selection

We're identifying the top questions you should ask your seed company representative about seed selection for the 2025 growing season.

COVER: When making seed selections for their operation, farmers have many things to consider. And having the latest product information available to help them make informed decisions is crucial. This issue of Illinois Field & Bean will serve as a need-to-know resource for soybean farmers that combines the leading product offerings from the industry with the latest in research and agronomics from their checkoff to help them produce the highest-yielding, most competitive soybeans in the marketplace.

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

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

Assistant Editor | 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

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

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

On-The-Go Information

Illinois soybean farmers can face many challenges each growing season. Whether it’s unfavorable weather conditions, changing pest pressures, herbicide resistance or the need to make last-minute equipment repairs and decisions, it’s nearly impossible to make it from plant to harvest without a few bumps in the road.

Although we can’t avoid every obstacle, Illinois farmers are fortunate enough to have a resource that we can access at home, on the go or in the field. It provides us the latest education, resources, research updates, webinars, events and more so we can maximize our operations.

ILSoyAdvisor.com is that resource. It's an online platform for agronomic information and management advice powered by the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) Soybean Production team. One of the many benefits of ILSoyAdvisor.com is that Illinois farmers can be sure they’re receiving unbiased, research-based insights specific to Illinois soybean production. Each year, the Soybean Production team collaborates with researchers across Illinois to address soybean production challenges through ISA-funded research projects. To learn more about current and past research projects or meet our team of researchers, visit the Research Hub at www.ilsoyadvisor.com/research/

Illinois covers over 57,000 square miles. ISA recognizes that the state's varying weather patterns, soil types and topography significantly affect the unique challenges our state’s farmers face. To address this, the ILSoyAdvisor team has created a platform where farmers can access relevant information that impacts farms in their region. Through the online Crop Report tool, you can find field conditions, crop progress, disease alerts, pest sightings and more. Agronomy experts, including the Soy Envoys and the University of Illinois Extension team, use the Crop Report page on ILSoyAdvisor. com to provide relevant and region-specific information straight from the field.

In addition to the online resources, the ILSoyAdvisor team hosts field day events at community colleges and farms across the state throughout the growing season. Shop Talks, Field Talks and Tailgate Talks provide the latest insights into agronomy to help drive profitability and sustainability for Illinois soybean farmers. This year, the field day events will be held June 20 at Rend Lake College, July 25 at Holst Farms, August 8 at Heartland Community College and September 5 at Richland Community College. Visit ILSoyAdvisor.com to register for a field day near you!

As if conducting research, providing regional updates and hosting field days weren’t enough, ILSoyAdvisor.com is also home to a wide range of articles written by the ISA Soybean Production team and industry experts, such as the 2024 class of Soy Envoys, whom you’ll meet later in this issue. The Field Notes Blog page is updated almost daily with articles, videos and podcasts that cover several topics, including farm management, conservation practices, ag technology, in-season agronomy and integrated pest management.

ILSoyAdvisor.com provides Illinois soybean farmers with the information we need to stay ahead of the curve, enhance profitability and contribute to the long-term sustainability of our operations. From one farmer to another, I encourage you to explore the resources available on ILSoyAdvisor.com to navigate this growing season with confidence.

DAVID WESSEL | AT-LARGE DIRECTOR | ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION

Sowing the Seeds of Soy Innovation

As farmers are in the fields planting the seeds for this year’s harvest, ISA is also planting seeds—not in the soil, but in the form of strategic thinking about projects that promise to yield significant benefits for our soybean farmers and the soybean industry.

Farmers have carefully selected the right seeds for their fields, considering factors such as soil type, weather patterns and disease resistance. The farmer leaders and staff at ISA are also methodically reviewing project proposals while keeping in mind several factors, including potential impact, alignment with our strategic plan, potential return on checkoff investment and the needs of our farmer community.

ISA’s mission, vision and values are clear, and so are the organization's Strategic Focus areas: Market Development, Soybean Production and Government Relations. As the largest farm organization in Illinois representing soybean farmers, our goal remains to uphold the interests of Illinois soybean producers through promotion, advocacy, research and education.

We strive to be a market leader in sustainable soybean production and profitability, increasing demand and advocacy. We focus on market development, promoting Illinois soy as the preferred choice for U.S. and global customers. As the No. 1 soybean-producing state, we are committed to building partnerships to augment ISA’s agronomic research and education programs, creating opportunities for Illinois soybean farmers to increase on-farm profitability and manage crop production risks. We fund holistic research projects that offer the potential to leverage data in new dimensions, respond to global challenges in modern agriculture and provide the most hopeful return for Illinois soybean farmers.

Current Endeavors and Innovations

At the forefront of our innovative efforts is the Soy Innovation Center, a hub dedicated to discovering new uses for soy that can expand markets and applications. This initiative, led by Director of Market Development Todd Main, is a testament to our commitment to sustainability and value-added products derived from soy.

In the area of field research, the ISA Soybean Production Team, headed up by Abigail Peterson, CCA, is actively engaged across the board, and particularly in the ongoing battle against Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN). Our relentless pursuit of new tools and strategies is aimed at protecting soybean yields from this pervasive threat.

The drive for cleaner energy has never been stronger, and ISA is at the helm with our continued work on biodiesel. Under the leadership of Andrew Larson, Director of Government Relations & Strategy, we

JOHN LUMPE | CEO | ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION

successfully advocated for the B20 tax incentives law, ensuring that biodiesel remains a competitive and environmentally friendly option for energy. Because ISA understands the importance of sustainable products and practices, our team is also working to ensure that soy is leading the charge in the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Our efforts are geared toward making soy-derived SAF a viable, sustainable option for the aviation industry, which has strong demand in our own backyard.

Nurturing Our Projects

Selecting the right projects is just the beginning. Just as our farmers nurture their crops throughout the growing season, we must also nurture numerous collaborative initiatives. To continue feeding Illinois innovation, we must focus on improving what works but also think a bit outside the box. And just as our farmers look forward to harvest, we look forward to seeing the fruits of our projects, such as those successful projects outlined above.

Each successful project brings us one step closer to our goal of continuous advancement of the Illinois soybean industry. TThis is true whether the ISA team is at work on a marketing initiative that opens up a new audience to the potential of Illinois soy, or research projects that lead to new production innovations. And it applies to educational programs that help our farmers improve their practices, as well.

For just as planting is more than placing seeds in soil, planning comes with a higher calling of sowing the future with strategic intent. We must cultivate a landscape where innovation thrives and prosperity takes root. As someone who rarely looks back and prefers instead to keep my eyes on what’s ahead, I can’t help but imagine the bountiful harvest to come.

What’s the secret to successful soybean seed development?

By Joli A. Hohenstein

Identifying genes for useful traits helps breeders develop improved varieties. Better tools pave the way for better decisions, and rapidly developing technology delivers streams of insights on the environment and goodness-of-fit. But what is the secret? How do the most successful soybean seeds go from lab to field?

As you might expect when talking about genetics, the answer is rarely straightforward and always complex.

“And it gets more complicated when we look to combine more than one gene or trait,” says Dr. Eliana Monteverde Dominguez, assistant professor and leader of the soybean breeding program at the University of Illinois.

Maria Monteros, Bayer’s North America Varietal Breeding Lead (South) for Asgrow Soybeans, agrees, saying, “We test millions of combinations to narrow it down to the best products. Think of how we create the new varieties like solving a Rubik's Cube puzzle.”

The Process

Although it’s rarely a straight road, soybean breeding maintains a common thread: trial and then retrial and then trial again. Because it must be fieldand yield-viable.

In other words, no matter how a variety performs during testing, if it doesn’t perform in a farmer’s field and produce comparable or greater yield to current varieties, it isn’t a viable commercial choice.

At the University of Illinois, Dr. Monteverde and her team first test varieties in “plant

rows,” which are small plots of 20 to 25 plants. They plant 3,000 to 4,000 of those. Each row has a genetically different component.

The next year, they plant in two-row plots. These are the preliminary yield trials and are typically tested in at least two locations, depending on how much seed is available.

Based on this trial, they make yield-based selections, and remove the seed types that

(See The Science Behind the Seed, page 8)

Researchers at the University of Illinois plant thousands of rows to evaluate soybean varieties. By collecting data from these multi-year trials, they can identify which varieties perform the best.

Funded

the Illinois Soybean Checkoff

The Science Behind the Seed

(continued from page 7)

didn’t perform. The numbers vary significantly from trial to trial, she says.

The following year, they plant in advanced trials. These are full-row plots, usually three to four locations planted in Urbana and two to three additional locations across Illinois, depending on maturity and seed quantity.

“Now we have data not just from preliminary trials but also different locations,” she explains. “We can make a better decision.”

The team can also test another year in advanced trials or send varieties to USDA Uniform Trials. These are planted in many more locations and can be one or two years long.

“It takes many years, and we do it that way to be sure we develop the best possible varieties,” she says.

Bayer and Asgrow soybeans take a similar approach, testing at multiple locations and in

controlled environments with off-season locations that enable the completion of multiple growth cycles through multiple seasons, making progress faster.

“It starts with our customers and the robust testing pipeline,” says Maria. “We’re using prescriptive field evaluations and collecting a global network of data.”

The difference is the technology.

Promising New Technologies

Machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) are being leveraged by large commercial breeders, such as Bayer, to develop Asgrow soybeans, which has established itself as a leader in this technology.

“Traditional breeding approaches would take five to seven years,” says Maria. “Now, we can cycle through things in about four months. We used to have about 15,000 data points for products that would launch. Now we have collected over 300,000 data points for the new varieties.”

A large amount of data can be extracted from the plants, but managing and analyzing the information presents

challenges in terms of cost and interpretation.

The human element remains critical.

Think of it like this: AI is smart, but it is not wise. It can’t yet do what 40 years of human experience can: remove all the noise and make inferences based on background information. And AI itself requires training.

Bayer and Asgrow soybean researchers have expertise in many different specialties for that reason, including breeders, discovery scientists, mathematicians, data scientists, agronomists and even rocket scientists.

“The combined expertise of a talented team allows us to innovate, gain additional insights from the data, generate prediction models and test those predictions in the field,” Maria explains. “Because we have many different testing locations, we’re able to evaluate the performance in a specific soil type, with variable moisture and environmental conditions or the response to multiple pathogens, complemented by phenotyping for a specific pathogen in a controlled environment, to truly understand the genetics driving a

plant’s response to those conditions or pathogens.”

Even as AI continues its rollout in agriculture and research, technologies such as GPS and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have already had a significant impact on plant breeding. “When I was a grad student, I would sit at the back of a planter with envelopes to plant,” says Maria. “Now, we can plant thousands of plots per hour and use GPS and UAVs to track performance.”

Every innovation starts with knowing what the customer thinks. “In order for us to know what we want to improve, we have to know what our customers need,” she explains.

Data automation rolls through many different products at Bayer and other breeders, enabling them to design varieties aligned with grower needs. “Innovation and new technology enable us to understand the genetic profile of each seed,” says Maria. “We make the promise of continuous innovation, but we are customer-centric first.”

Bayer and Asgrow soybeans use Precision Breeding to

Bayer and Asgrow soybeans are tested at multiple places, including fields and controlled environments, using off-season locations that enable crops to complete multiple growth cycles over several seasons.

increase the rate of product improvement and match the new varieties to specific areas. Machine learning and AI may be newer tools, but scientists are working with diverse genetic ingredients like they always have, she says.

“For example, Illinois growers may face challenges with lodging or soybean cyst nematode (SCN). How do we deliver varieties to address those?” she explains. “The difference is we’ve gone from selecting the best to designing the best, utilizing our industry-leading germplasm.

New Approaches

In her position, Dr. Mon-

teverde is working to augment traditional breeding with new genomics, computational and sensor-based approaches to accelerate cultivar development.

“We’re using more molecular markers and genomic selection,” she says. “We select the variety based on their genetic composition and some help from phenomics.”

Essentially, genomics refers to the DNA of the plant – the genetic material inside the plant. Phenomics refers to the plant’s phenotypes – how it looks, how it behaves, how it flowers – its outward appearance and behavior. Scientists use many markers to select for disease resistance, genes for

Funded

high protein and other traits.

“The idea is to overlay research on breeding,” Dr. Monteverde explains. “I like to know what’s going on inside the plant.”

At the University of Illinois, the team is developing varieties with more genetic sources of resistance.

“Right now, there are varieties with SCN resistance, but only one resistance gene,” she says. “We already have experimental lines that have two different combinations of three genes with resistance to SCN. They are very promising.”

In general, before a variety is ready, its performance is predicted through genetic char-

Illinois Soybean Checkoff

acterization. At an increasing number of locations, varieties go through multiple years of testing with more replications as they approach commercial launch.

In fact, HT4 is Asgrow’s fourth-generation technology that combines five herbicide tolerances with yield potential and brings more flexibility to protect that yield. “We’re already working with fifth-generation technology to bring in six herbicide tolerances,” says Maria.

The bottom line of breeding for Maria: “It’s about continuous innovation with Precision Breeding and exclusive, elite genetics not found in any other seed bag.”

To address increasing pest resistance, researchers at the University of Illinois are developing soybean varieties with more genetic sources of resistance.

Funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff

Systemic Success

How Seed Treatment Strategy Benefits Soybean Yields

By Nate Birt

SUNTREATED

TREATED

hifting Illinois soybean planting trends make seed treatments an excellent choice on most of your acres, experts say. Treated seeds can target fungi, insects and nematodes while also providing overall resilience in varied operating conditions.

That adds up to conserving yield potential for the growing season.

“Increasingly, there are fewer opportunities to not use a seed treatment," says Dale Ireland Ph.D., Syngenta Seedcare technical product lead. “I’m not saying everyone needs a seed treatment all the time. I’ll let growers make those decisions. They don’t get bitten multiple times without knowing something’s nibbling on them.”

And each bite of the apple—er, bean—cuts into Illinois producers’ economic viability. That’s why

taking a closer look at seed treatment can prove to be beneficial.

“I was working with an Illinois farmer in the southeastern part of the state. He was struggling with standability and emergence,” recalls Katie Dowson, CEO and Marketing Manager at Seed Life LLC, which has supported Illinois soybean farmers since its founding in May 2018. The Virden, Ill., company specializes in seed equipment, sales and treatment, along with agronomic support.

“He knew those were key factors in the strength of his fields. So he came to me and we went through his treatment package. I was able to point out that he seemed to be deficient in a couple areas that were very important for emergence and plant health. He added that protection for the 2024 season, and his early planted soybeans practically jumped out of the ground and are off to the races.”

Planting trends boost seed treatments

Several factors help bolster the argument in favor of seed treatments, which Ireland estimates between 80 percent and 90 percent of Illinois soybean farmers use, up from 40 or 50 percent two decades ago. (At Seed Life, it’s 95 percent of all customers.) Virtually every corn seed they plant is already treated.

One of the key factors driving the choice to treat is timing. Illinois soybean farmers—especially in northern parts of the state—are planting earlier in the spring compared to past planting timelines, Ireland says.

“The earlier you plant, the cooler and wetter the soils, the more challenging it is to establish a stand,” Ireland explains. “There are tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands, of acres already in the soil after Tax Day.

There’s increasing risk.”

Another factor is seeding rates, which tend to range from 120,000 to 140,000 plants per acre compared to past rates, which were tens of thousands of plants higher.

Add low seeding rates to earlier planting dates and, you’ve effectively raised the stakes for your annual soybean crop. You have trickier conditions and fewer plants to bet on – meaning every soybean plant counts.

“The cooler the temperature, the longer a seed would take to imbibe [water] and to germinate,” Ireland says.

“A lot of people used to think soybeans don’t grow at all below 60° F. We know clearly that’s not true. They will. It just takes a very long time. There’s more chance for soil insects to feed on seed or fungi to begin to grow on seed and destroy that seed’s viability.”

Soybeans with a seed treatment (right) demonstrate stronger early growth compared to untreated seeds (left). Treated seeds help plants remain resilient in spring weather and establish a healthy stand that boosts harvest yields. Source: Syngenta

Seed treatments 101

Seed treatments are specialized combinations of chemicals or biological agents added to a soybean seed’s exterior to provide protection against all kinds of problems young plants face. There are treatments that kill fungi (fungicides), insects (insecticides) and nematodes (nematicides). Ongoing research into biologicalbased seed treatments show they also may offer a range of benefits.

For decades, Syngenta has developed seed treatments addressing these issues and others, testing them at a major field research farm near Monticello, Ill.

New active ingredients from many manufacturers enter the market regularly. A trusted expert such a local ag retailer or a manufacturer-authorized treater takes naked seeds and applies the active ingredients you’ve purchased according to your trusted adviser’s prescription.

“They’re in liquid formulations,” Ireland says. “The directions for use are right there on the label.”

Although their modes of action vary widely, seed treatments work to protect baby soybean plants through germination, development and establishment between 3” and 4” tall. Once a plant reaches that point, “it can kind of live on its own and defend itself, to some extent, or outgrow its pests,” Ireland says.

Seed treatments can do an excellent job keeping top seedling threats in check, experts say, including:

• Pythium

• Phytophthora

• Fusarium root rot

• Red crown rot

• Sudden death syndrome (SDS)

Seed treatment economics

To evaluate the economic return on investment of a particular seed treatment, consider a few details.

First, determine the yield potential of the soybean varieties you are planting. A majority of Illinois soybean farmers use some type of seed treatment regardless of variety. But for those varieties to reach their top yield potential, they need protection from fungi, insects and other pests.

Investing a few dollars per acre in a seed treatment can allow you to capture top dollar on those high-yielding soybeans, especially if you’ve mitigated key threats such as Phytophthora and Pythium. Seed treatments can ensure your plants are mirror images of one another versus a

(continued, page 12)

Work with a treating facility that knows how to treat seeds and can advise you on what’s best for your farm. Treated wheat seeds are seen here at Seed Life’s southern location. Source: Seed Life LLC

Systemic Success

(continued from page 11)

combination of healthy plants and stunted ones that can turn into weeds, sucking nutrients only to produce weak pods.

At Seed Life, treatment packages range from $8 per acre to $24 per acre. Your seed representative can give you tremendous insights into seedtreatment selection, Katie explains. Ideally, you’ll have between three and five years of seed-treatment data to review to determine which packages pencil out.

“We sell NuTech seed, and their seed books give scorings for certain disease pressures, insect pressures, stem strength, emergence and more,” Katie says. “If you have an incredible soybean that has what we call an Achilles heel, typically you can find a great soybean treatment that can really help that soybean reach its full potential. For example, if you have a soybean that has a low SDS number, get SDS protection in your treatment package.”

Second, consider the time savings you’ll capture by only

needing to plant once. As many farms grow larger and run multiple planters at once, it’s important to do things right and avoid the need to replant three to four weeks later because soybeans don’t emerge properly.

Third, recognize that an array of complex variables— including numerous available active ingredients and plant varieties—increasingly require expert guidance. Study what your fields need with help from a trusted adviser so you get the proper active ingredients in seed treatments to go the distance.

Ireland recommends planning your seed treatment needs around the harvest season. This enables you to understand what chemistries are on the market— and how your choices for this year’s crop performed.

“Maybe it stood well, maybe it didn’t stand as well, yield levels, canopy closure—those types of evaluations are important,” Ireland explains. “Seed treatment talks often happen about the same time simply because you’re thinking about your variety selection and hybrid selection.”

Finally, recognize it’s possible to overpay for higher-priced formulated treatment or miss out on yield with a generic option. Know what you’re getting, and don’t buy features that won’t benefit your beans, Katie adds.

“The farmer and the salesman should be sitting down together and discussing the most logical option that is going to make their farm the most money,” she says.

Research and development

While you plan for next season’s seed treatment needs, seed-treatment companies are thinking ahead in multi-year increments to keep your field at peak performance.

Developing new seed treatments takes time: A new active ingredient from Syngenta will target both fungi and nematodes and is due out in early 2025. It’s been in development since 2015 and has been extensively researched across multiple states, supplied thousands of data points and received detailed regulatory review.

“It’s nothing we do in a week or a year or five years,” Ireland explains.

Seed treatment production is best viewed as technological innovation that requires hundreds of millions of dollars in expertise, money and time.

“There are also a lot of upcoming treatments that can really help the soybean germinate and emerge so much faster, thus making each plant that much stronger,” Katie adds. She sees biologicals playing a much bigger role in the seasons ahead.

A recipe for success

Seed treatments might add a little pop of color to your soybeans, but experts say they do much more. They give each plant the best chance for success, and they’re constantly improving in response to changing planting and environmental conditions. Farmer buying trends suggest they’re an investment worth making.

“If you know your soil, know the data on your beans and know what seed protection could best suit all of your specific situation, you will have high-yielding fields,” Katie says.

Because seed ranks as one of Illinois soybean farmers’ top investments, it’s a good idea to approach treatments with curiosity and lots of questions so trusted advisers can help you select what best fits your agronomic and business goals. Source: Seed Life LLC

2024 Meet the Soy Envoys

The Soy Envoy program is an initiative of the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) and ILSoyAdvisor that amplifies the voices of soybean industry experts to offer valuable insights to Illinois soybean farmers. The 2024 class consists of six Certified Crop Advisers (CCAs), including two returning Envoys, who share their agronomic knowledge through articles, videos and audio interviews on ILSoyAdvisor.com. Additionally, the Soy Envoys provide timely reports on crop conditions throughout the growing season through the online Crop Report tool.

ISA Outreach Agronomist, CCA and former Soy Envoy Stephanie Porter takes pride in leading the program, as it allows for CCAs to broaden their horizons by connecting with like-minded individuals. “During my time as a Soy Envoy, I was able to network with a lot of CCAs from different parts of the state who I probably would have never met before. These new connections allowed me to expand my knowledge of soybeans and gain insight into challenges faced in other areas

of the state. It was like a living classroom for me.”

According to Porter, the experiences and connections Soy Envoys gain while participating in the program translate to the advice they’re able to provide farmers. “As a Soy Envoy, you have the opportunity to learn from researchers, various trainings, other agronomists and farmers from across the state, which all give you a clearer understanding of what practices work best in different regions.”

Meet the 2024 class of Soy Envoys below, and discover their top pieces of advice for Illinois farmers as you navigate this growing season.

Eric Beckett, CCA, Field Agronomist, Illini FS

Eric Beckett brings a wealth of experience from diverse roles in agronomy research. His career has encompassed weed science, corn and soybean plant breeding and work in high-yield corn and soybean environments across Illinois. In his role as Field Agronomist at Illini FS, Beckett oversees five counties and manages eight

full-service agronomy retail locations.

Beckett dedicates much of his time to supporting agronomy sales and operations staff, collaborating closely with customers. He also manages Illini FS’s agronomy interns and the On-Farm Discovery program.

Beckett is formally trained as an agronomist, holding degrees from Parkland College and Southern Illinois University. His professional qualifications extend to being an active Certified 4R Nutrient Management Specialist and a licensed drone pilot.

Beckett’s Advice for Illinois Soybean Farmers in the 2024 Growing Season:

“I encourage growers to not treat soybeans like a secondary or companion crop to corn. When soybeans are treated like a primary crop with the same level of management, especially for plant fertility and plant health, it's amazing what soybeans can do with a little bit of planned management. It really goes beyond just planting soybeans before corn when soil conditions support planting operations.”

Drew Beckman, CCA, Northwestern Illinois Field Agronomist, Beck’s Hybrids

Drew Beckman holds a bachelor’s degree in Crop Sciences from the University of Illinois. After graduating, he spent three years in full retail agriculture and six years in sales and field agronomy with a seed dealership serving LaSalle and nearby counties. About a year ago, Beckman joined Beck’s as a Field Agronomist.

He enjoys collaborating with growers, addressing a wide array of agronomic challenges and providing valuable recommendations to keep them informed in the ever-evolving agricultural industry. Beckman’s expertise lies in herbicides and plant pathology.

Beckman’s Advice for Illinois Soybean Farmers in the 2024 Growing Season:

“Continue to manage soybeans for high yields despite lower commodity prices. Overall, we have excellent yield potential with the soybeans

(See Meet the 2024 Soy Envoys, page 16)

Eric Beckett, CCA, Field Agronomist, Illini FS

Drew Beckman, CCA, Northwestern Illinois Field Agronomist, Beck’s Hybrids

Meet the 2024 Soy Envoys

(continued from page 15)

that have been planted in good conditions. It would be a shame to abandon them because we do not want to ‘wrap any more money into this crop.’ We cannot control prices, but we can impact yields. Who says this crop will not be worth more later? Many growers were ready to give up on the 2023 crop, and it ended up being one of the most consistent we have ever seen.”

Karen Corrigan, CCA, Independent Agronomist, McGillicuddy Corrigan Agronomics

Karen Corrigan, an independent agronomist and co-owner of McGillicuddy Corrigan Agronomics, offers specialized agronomic consulting services to farmers in the upper Midwest. Corrigan is a CCA in both Illinois and Iowa and holds a master’s degree in agronomy-weed science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Corrigan is the incoming chair of the Illinois CCA Board

and an instructor at Heartland Community College, where she teaches agronomy, soils, horticulture and pest management classes. Additionally, she hosts a monthly podcast, Girls Talk Ag, is the Community Outreach Chair for the McLean County Farm Bureau, leads the McLean County STEAM Team 4-H club and was a 2023 Soy Envoy.

Corrigan’s Advice for Illinois Soybean Farmers in the 2024 Growing Season:

“Read the herbicide labelit’s the law. The label also has useful information to get better weed control in ideal and adverse conditions.”

Craig Grafton, CCA, Product Systems Scientist, Bayer Crop Science

Craig Grafton was raised on a family farm in Edgar County, where he developed a strong connection to agriculture and the land from an early age. He obtained his bachelor’s in Crop Science at the University of Illinois, where he found his passion for agricultural research.

For 19 years, Grafton actively contributed to soybean breeding research at a research station in

Stonington, Ill. Today, Grafton is the Product System Scientist at Bayer’s plant breeding organization, focusing on Preceon short

corn hybrids. He has expanded that scope to include soybeans in breeding system trials and plans for further expansion.

Karen Corrigan, CCA, Independent Agronomist, McGillicuddy Corrigan Agronomics

Craig Grafton, CCA, Product Systems Scientist, Bayer Crop Science

Grafton’s Advice for Illinois Soybean Farmers in the 2024 Growing Season:

“Take some time to look at your operation and think further out. What trends are you seeing, and how can you start making changes to stay profitable in five to 10 years? There seem to be some significant changes (mostly around regulations for pesticides and nutrient applications) coming that will impact nearly all growers. Are you ready for changes that may come from these? Who in your network could you lean on for advice? Now more than ever, the agriculture landscape is changing, and we need to be prepared as best we can. Producers need to let their voices be heard while understanding they can only control so much. Making sound agronomic decisions will only bolster the good intentions we have in agriculture.”

Kelly Robertson, CCA, Owner and Lead Agronomist, Precision Crop Services

Kelly Robertson has been a soil fertility agronomist and precision agriculture consultant since 1989. As the owner and lead agronomist of Precision

formance and soil conditions. You can’t make adjustments or determine soil conditions from six feet in the air.”

Shelby Weckel, CCA, Sales Agronomist, Ehler Brothers Co.

Shelby Weckel was raised on a corn and soybean farm in Urbana, Ill., where she actively assists her parents. She earned her bachelor’s in ag management from Illinois State University after completing her associate’s at Parkland College. Weckel serves as a Sales Agronomist at Ehler Brothers Co., where she excels in sales, manages the warehouse, and tends to hybrid and variety plots.

as seed companies are tight on popular hybrid/variety inventories. You have one chance to put your seed in the ground at the right time. If the upcoming forecast favors planting, then make sure field conditions are ideal. Wait for a window of opportunity that will help your crop maximize its yield.”

Visit www.ilsoyadvisor.com/ field-notes-blog/ for daily content, including articles, videos, podcasts and more, from the 2024 Soy Envoys.

Crop Services, Robertson and his team offer a comprehensive suite of agronomic services, including soil testing, crop scouting, data analysis and GPS/GIS services. His expertise extends to variable rate seeding and fertility recommendations, along with farm and agronomy management for clients.

Robertson’s professional credentials include being a Certified Professional Agronomist (CPA), CCA and a Certified 4R Nutrient Management Specialist. Recognitions for his contributions to the field include the titles of 2015 ISA Double-Crop Specialist, 2016 Illinois CCA of the Year and the 2021 ISA Dave Rahe Excellence in Soils Consulting Award winner. Robertson was also a Soy Envoy in 2017 and 2023.

Robertson’s Advice for Illinois Soybean Farmers in the 2024 Growing Season:

“Plant when the soil is right, not by the calendar or when your neighbors plant. Your soil and your soybeans will thank you for planting them into good conditions. My second piece of advice would be GOAL: Get Out And Look. Get out of the cab and look at planter per-

Passionate about connecting with growers in the field, Weckel values the opportunity to learn about their operations and hear their stories. In her free time, she enjoys photographing wildlife.

Weckel’s Advice for Illinois Soybean Farmers in the 2024 Growing Season:

“Stay patient. Planting early does not mean you have to plant in March or early April. This year is especially critical,

Shelby Weckel, CCA, Sales Agronomist, Ehler Brothers Co.

Kelly Robertson, CCA, Owner and Lead Agronomist, Precision Crop Services

Through the soy checkoff, U.S. soybean farmers are investing in new production practices to continuously improve their sustainability while protecting the air, water and soil for generations to come.

Better Productivity by Association

CELEBRATING 60 SEASONS OF SUCCESS

From the beginning, we’ve looked beyond the rows to help you overcome the biggest challenges in your fields. From battling issues like SCN, SDS and herbicide resistance to finding ways to reduce nutrient loss, we prioritize research that works to maximize your productivity. Because together, we are better by association.

EVAN O’CONNOR & JEFF O’CONNOR KANKAKEE, IL

Funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff

The Mechanics of 2025 Soybean

Seed

Selection

Questions you should ask your seed company rep now for your 2025 seed supply!

By this time in the 2024 calendar year, Illinois farmers have secured most of the in puts and supplies needed to push this year’s full-season soybean crop toward maturity. As the growing season creeps along Mother Nature’s agronomic assembly line, it’s never too early to think about the essential parts and pieces, such as seed, that will be needed for next year’s crop.

Now is the time when farmers should start thinking about the list of questions to pose to their input supply sales reps. And that process should start with seed, according to Stephanie Porter, a Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) and the Illinois Soybean Association’s Outreach Agronomist.

Porter says a farmer should consider wide range of topics during initial conversations with their seed reps. To help prepare Illinois soybean farmers for those comprehensive discussions, this issue of Field & Bean includes a wealth of information about all the factors farmers should consider before selecting soybean seed for their 2025 crop.

Whether farmers buy their soybean seed in traditional bags or bulk-fill boxes for larger capacity planters, almost all of them are initially focused on a common thought when it comes to soybean seed, according to Illinois soybean farmer Matt Foes of Sheffield.

“First and foremost, you want to talk to your rep about finding a product that is the best fit for the land you farm with the highest yield capability,” Foes says.

From that point, it becomes a matter of homing in on specific conditions and challenges that individual farmers might face based on their region, their pest pressure and other factors, according to Foes.

“After talking about yield, I would want to focus on traits available that address other challenges or opportunities that go with my farm,” he says. “Does my seed rep perceive that their products are moving forward in addressing the issues I might face? I would also want to make sure that there is chemistry available to go along with those traits in reference to other issues such as dicamba.”

Although yield potential is top of mind for Foes and other Illinois farmers, it doesn’t take long for their strategic thought process to move on to other issues. Some might ask about factors such as soil types, performance in no-till situations, disease and pest resistance, how plants might stand up to expected weather tendencies and overall resiliency, according to Porter.

“Soybean variety selection is the first important decision farmers make, and seed companies take this very seriously,” she says. For farmers and seed suppliers alike, she compares the process to a professional sports team preparing its strategy for the yearly player draft.

“Every seed company and every farmer are going to have different strategies as they work to meet their specific demands,” she explains. “But in the end, the goal of both is to put the best team possible on the field. In the case of seed companies, it’s about improving their entire soybean lineup with varieties that meet farmer standards and yield expectations. For farmers, it’s about viewing all the different offerings from all the seed companies and thinking about what they need on a field-to-field basis to get the best performance out of each acre, and ultimately the farm as a whole.”

According to Porter, the first point of discussion is likely an evaluation of the seed’s genetic strengths. What does the seed offer the farmer in terms of herbicide technologies and yield? But emergence, disease resistance and lodging must also be consid -

ered during the selection process. These factors, depending on the year or the environment, could potentially impact soybean yield in a big way.

In addition to yield, Porter says data is gathered on other factors, such as agronomic traits and phenotypic traits — plant height, canopy width — within the same maturity designation.

Porter emphasizes that iterative process. Tracking seed varieties by phenotypic profile might play second fiddle to yield, but those insights allow discussions between seed company representatives and farmers to quickly transition into other discussions.

(continued on page 22)

The Mechanics of 2025 Soybean Seed Selection

(continued from page 21)

“Our goal is to make sure that the options presented by seed companies offer products that are specific to the needs and growing demands seen across all regions of Illinois.” Porter recommends that growers go to the University of Illinois Variety Testing website, located at vt.cropsci.illinois.edu , or the Research Hub on ILSoyAdvisor.com .

Maturity is one of the most important factors when selecting a variety, Porter says. It’s vital to find early varieties that have the correct herbicide technology traits and agronomic characteristics for all parts of the state. She also places a high degree of importance on characteristics such as seed quality, germination, emergence, vigor, shattering and herbicide sensitivity.

“A soybean variety could be perfect in every way but have a low SDS (sudden death syndrome) score. In that case, a prescription of seed treatment could make all the difference and help that exceptional variety excel in the field,” she says. “Just like a sports team, we want healthy players playing the correct positions together to score big and win."

In short, seed decisions should be made on the overall strength of bench - much as determining the strength of a football team should be made on a variety of factors, not just a player's 40-yard dash time.

ISA’s Soy Envoys also provide valuable seed insights to farmers. Members of that group are respected crop advisers and agronomists selected to provide counsel to farmers throughout the growing season, not just during planting.

Shelby Weckel, a Soy Envoy from Thomasboro, is a CCA and Sales Agronomist for Ehler Brothers Seed. She focuses primarily on weeds and pests as she implements effective farm management strategies to optimize soybean production. Her seed advice follows her expertise.

“I would ask my rep what treatment package I should be using and if soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is a problem I should be worried about,” Weckel says. “As SCN is a topic of growing importance, I would want to approach it with as much knowledge as possible when selecting seed.”

Drew Beckman, a Soy Envoy from Streator, is also a CCA and the Northwest Illinois Regional Field Agronomist for Beck’s Hybrids. He’s working on a research project that examines the correlation between SCN egg count levels and their impact on yields across the traits PI 88788 and Peking.

“When considering seed, it’s important to continue to have a conversation about traits and characteristics around soybean plants,” Beckman says. “Soybeans can be characterized in many ways. It’s important to be managing them at a higher level. I would focus my conversation with a seed rep on noting all the different varieties of soybeans and how each variety’s pros and cons might play into my farming operation.”

Key questions farmers should ask when selecting 2025 soybean seed:

• Should I Consider Maturity Range?

Spread your risk by planting multiple soybean maturities on your farm. For example, there can be a five- to seven-day range between each maturity group. If possible, plant early, and choose a maturity group that reaches its physiological maturity (95 percent pods turn brown) just prior to a killing frost to optimize yield potential.

• How Do I Balance All the Cool Agronomic Traits?

Evaluate if the seed you select includes traits that ward off pests and diseases and whether you really need them.

• How Can I Match Seed to Planting Strategy?

Your planting strategy should be as unique as your farm and individual fields within your farm. Different varieties might excel in certain parts of your farm compared to others. Always consider your soybean variety testing data to help determine which seeds might best match your field conditions.

• Can I Expect the Same Results?

Manufacturer plot trial data can provide an initial view of performance. If you have experienced recent success with seed varieties think about giving them a slight preference. But never plant the same seed on your farm if you are planting soybeans after soybeans or if you are using the Peking trait to combat SCN. Continued use of the Peking trait year after year could encourage resistance. Alternate growing a Peking SCN-resistant variety with varieties that have the PI 88788 resistance.

• Should I Consider Seed Treatments?

Seed treatment is like an insurance policy. Early-planted soybeans and fields with a disease, insect or SCN history are prime candidates for seed treatments. If your fields have been plagued by bean leaf beetles or SDS, a seed treatment could be a game changer. Remember that seed treatments only last so long to protect against early season SCN, insects and seedling blights.

• What’s the Optimal Seeding Rate?

Determining the best soybean seeding rate requires a careful balance between agronomic yield potential and economic outcomes. The optimal economic seeding rate is between 100,000 and 150,000 seeds per acre. Start with a strategy of one bag of seeds per acre (which is usually 140,000 seeds per acre for most companies, but not all), and adjust for field conditions as well as predicted weather conditions. Generally, if planting season is delayed, you will want to consider boosting your seeding rate accordingly.

• Do I Need Pre-Emergent Herbicides?

Having a solid pre-emergent strategy in place is vital, but several factors come into play, such as application timing, soil type and weather conditions. Ideally, these herbicides should be applied just before the target weeds emerge, followed by 1" to 2" of rain to activate them. Soybean variety response to herbicides can be different, and they could respond negatively to some active ingredients. That could lead to a risk of injury. Some companies might provide herbicide sensitivity ratings.

• How Dependable is Specific Demand?

Based on growing demand, but depending on your local market opportunities, you might want to seriously consider producing a marketable amount of new soybeans developed for a specific market. These include soybeans with higher oil content or high oleic acid, non-GMO soybeans, or soybeans for specialized livestock feed markets that are higher in protein levels and lower in antinutritional factors. Soybeans with high oil content are gaining attention because of increasing demand for oil. Soybeans are also being grown for different oil varieties, such as high oleic that claims greater stability and increased sustainability without risking yield. Make sure any premium you receive for the soybeans will more than cover any increased cost of the specialized seed. It should also cover specific production requirements you might be asked to follow, such as maintaining identity preservation. This is a decision your farm business must make based on ROI.

As we continue to explore the intricacies of soybean seed, here are a few more tips to consider:

• Inoculants:

While it was historically believed to be unnecessary unless soybeans hadn’t been planted in a field for four or five years, consider testing out biologicals and inoculating, especially in challenging soil conditions.

• For SCN Resistance:

Although all soybean varieties sold in Illinois are bred for SCN resistance, most consist of PI 88788. SCN has learned to adapt to this and survive it. In light of this, the University of Illinois is providing free testing for SCN funded by ISA. Illinois growers can take advantage of this offer until Aug. 31.

WISHH leverages partnerships for U.S. Soy to help meet the protein needs of 8 billion consumers

ANDREW LARSON | DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS & STRATEGY | ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION

Protecting Soy’s Marketplace Value From Harmful Policies

Every year as the Illinois General Assembly looks at its internal deadline of May 31 to conclude the year's legislative session, there is often a great shift. The hot topics tend to change from the beginning of the session to the end of the session. This year is no different.

Going into session, there was a lot of concern about proposed pesticide regulation with legislation that attempted to ban or heavily regulate every commonly used crop protection tool Illinois farmers rely on. In the final weeks, the focus transitioned to a discussion of wetlands, how those should be regulated and what impact that would have on home and building construction and in turn, on agriculture. Many concerns surround this legislation, including, “What is the role of the property owner, and what, specifically, is a wetland?” These questions are important and certainly have been the focal point of lawsuits over the past few years. If this legislation passes, it will continue to be a focus for years to come.

Although the wetlands legislation has dominated discussions toward the end of session, the middle of session had a different focus. Agriculture groups, environmntal groups, electric vehicle proponents and the trucking industry had discussions about a proposed Clean Fuel Standard (CFS) for the state of Illinois. Low carbon fuel standards or clean fuel standards are a mechanism to decarbonize the fuel supply in each state. Currently, California, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington have such policies enacted. These policies differ in their intent and incentivize different fuels and feedstocks that would decarbonize the transportation sector.

The emergence of renewable diesel into the California marketplace is driven largely by their Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). Bringing this legislation to Illinois or any other Midwest state such as Minnesota, which is also debating these policies, would potentially create challenges through the supply, cost and distribution of different fuel types. These questions and many more have been at the center of discussions on the CFS legislation proposed in the Illinois State Senate. The Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG) lobbying team is working diligently to ensure that the marketplace we currently have in the State of Illinois at over 250 million gallons of B100 used annually would not be harmed under any LCFS or CFS policy. Based on work done by ISG in the 2022 legislative session, the current Illinois state sales tax exemption for blends of biodiesel increased on April 1 to blends of 14 percent or B14. Over the next few years, the blending threshold will increase to blends approaching 20 percent or B20 in summer months and revert to 11 percent or B11 blends in the winter. This increase is the first time in over 20 years that Illinois has driven up the amount of biodiesel we incentivize in our fuel market. Forecasts show that at B20 blends, Illinois could use 400 million

gallons of B100 biodiesel annually, which is the equivalent of soybean oil from over 200 million bushels of Illinois soybeans.

The entire regulatory and legislative discussion around biofuels has changed dramatically in the last few years. These changes have had strong effects on the marketplace. Another policy that has changed the biofuels discussion is Section 45Z of the Inflation Reduction Act that passed in 2022. This law creates a Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit (CFPTC) that goes into effect in 2025. For biodiesel and renewable diesel, the current blenders' tax credit, which stands at $1 per gallon, would be replaced by the new CFPTC. Under this new law, different feedstocks would have different carbon intensity scores and lead to different levels of tax credit support. For soybean oil, estimates show that the level of incentive will drop to around $0.33 per gallon. This drop will have a major impact on the financial viability of biodiesel production in the country. It is a primary mission of ISG through both state and federal carbon, biofuels and tax policy to continue the support for the Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) biodiesel marketplace that has been a staple of soybean demand in Illinois for over 20 years. At the federal level, ISG is working with legislators and other stakeholders to find ways to diminish the potential negative impacts of the CFPTC on Illinois-made biofuel products.

Your team at ISG is working feverishly every day to ensure that farmers have access to tools they need, the resources in production and viable markets to allow them to grow soybeans in Illinois. Whether we are focused on the legislation we've discussed here in this article or dozens of other bills that we didn't have space to include, it's our privilege and honor to defend your farm while actively promoting Illinois agriculture.

A Note From Congressman Mike Bost

During a 1956 speech in Illinois, President Eisenhower said, “You know, farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil, and you’re a thousand miles from the corn field.” Those words still ring true 68 years later, as my colleagues and I on the House Agriculture Committee negotiate the new Farm Bill. We see it in our nation’s capital all the time — bureaucrats and big-city politicians overregulating family farmers out of business. That’s why Eisenhower also got it right when he said, “The proper role of the government, however, is that of partner with a farmer — never his master.” There’s a reason rural Americans liked Ike. Too often, I believe the government has strayed from Eisenhower’s principle, and that’s bad for our farmers and our country. That’s why I always try to meet our family farmers where they’re at: on their turf, in their fields. It helps me best understand how we can partner with them in strengthening America’s food, fiber and fuel production. Illinois is an agricultural powerhouse — we are the No. 1 state in the nation for soybeans and No. 2 for corn. Sharing the importance of agriculture in southern Illinois is vitally important, which is why I was excited to welcome House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson to my district last August to hear directly from my farmers and producers. Visits like this, and many more that I’ve had with local farmers across southern Illinois, have provided a valuable opportunity to discuss the Farm Bill. After all, the Farm Bill should first and foremost prioritize the needs of our farmers.

Roughly every five years, Congress re-evaluates the Farm Bill and renews an array of agricultural and food programs. No other bill in Congress gives a better return on investment. At only two-tenths of 1 percent of our federal spending, the agriculture industry creates 46 million jobs, $2.6 trillion in wages, $947 billion in tax revenue, $202 billion in exports and $8.6 trillion in economic activity. As the representative of one of the most agriculturally diverse districts in the region, I can tell you this bill is absolutely vital to southern Illinois.

As I’ve talked with farmers and producers across our 34 counties, three priorities kept re-emerging: strengthening the farm safety net, ensuring farmers

have access to credit and bolstering trade through funding the Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Program. I am committed to tackling these priorities in the Farm Bill and have already introduced stand-alone legislation, such as the Beginning Agriculturalist Lifetime Employment (BALE) Act, to address my constituents’ needs. Experience makes a big difference when negotiating important legislation such as the Farm Bill. I know that personally, I’m that much better prepared because I served on the committee during the last Farm Bill. However, more than 200 members currently in Congress have never voted on a Farm Bill before. But I’m confident that, if we hold true to President Eisenhower’s words and partner with our farmers, we’ll end up with a Farm Bill that benefits us all.

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