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 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.

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 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 performance 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.

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, 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.