Soybean 2010 Educational Program Benefits Industry
5/21/08
Contact: Laura Probyn
517-432-1555, ext. 171
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan soybean yield increases have lagged behind those for wheat and corn in recent years. To help Michigan soybean producers increase yields and improve profitability, Michigan State University (MSU) and the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee developed Soybean 2010, a project designed to provide education and research to address the challenges limiting soybean yields.
One of the educational programs sponsored through Soybean 2010 was a winter meeting titled "Overcoming the Barriers to Higher Soybean Yields." This program was held in two locations in 2007 and two more in 2008. The events were funded by the Michigan soybean checkoff program.
More than 700 soybean producers and agronomists participated in the programs. According to written evaluations distributed to participants at the conclusion of the programs, 94 percent of the participants learned new information about improving soybean yields and profitability.
Additionally, 80 percent of the participants said they planned to use what they learned in the session on their farms, and 71 percent believed that using the information would either save or make money.
The average amount of additional money they expected to earn or save was $10.90 per acre. They planned to implement the information across 86,901 acres, so the total projected financial impact to the participants would be $949,745.
Some of the leading experts in soybean production and pest management from MSU, Ohio State University and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs were featured speakers. Topics presented included an overview of the Soybean 2010 project and resources, a look at green stem disorder, discussions of foliar fungicide effects on soybean yields, soybean seedling disease management, equipping and operating field sprayers, low linolenic soybean production opportunities, and a Canadian perspective on increasing soybean yields and profitability.
Because of farmers’ positive response to this program, “Overcoming the Barriers to Higher Soybean Yields” will be offered again in February 2009 at Cabela’s in Dundee (Feb. 4) and at the Bavarian Inn Motor Lodge in Frankenmuth (Feb. 5).
Two presenters for this program have already been lined up. Palle Pedersen, soybean agronomist, and Mark Westgate, crop physiologist, both from Iowa State University, will speak at the 2009 event. Pedersen will present the latest research and recommendations for improving soybean yields in Iowa; Westgate will discuss soybean growth and development and identify the management opportunities associated with each growth stage.
Selection of additional meeting topics will be based on the issues and concerns that surface during the 2008 growing season. As in 2007 and 2008, the 2009 programs will be funded by the Michigan soybean program.
For more information about the 2009 programs, contact Mike Staton, MSU Extension educator and Soybean 2010 coordinator, by e-mail at staton@msu.edu or by phone at 269-657-8213.
For more information about improving Michigan’s soybean crop, visit the Soybean 2010 Web site at http://web1.msue.msu.edu/soybean2010/. Soybean 2010 was developed to help Michigan growers increase soybean yields and farm profitability by 2010. Funding is provided by MSU Extension; Project GREEEN (Generating Research and Extension to meet Economic and Environmental Needs), the plant industry initiative at MSU; and the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee.
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