A PUBLICATION OF THE ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION | MARCH 2015 Prep for Season– Long Pest Control Set up an On-Farm Trial Peer into the Product Pipeline PERMIT 125 PERMIT 61764 PONTIAC, IL PONTIAC, PAID U.S. POSTAGE U.S. NON-PROFIT 1605 Commerce Parkway, Bloomington, IL 61704 IL Bloomington, Parkway, Commerce 1605 ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION SOYBEAN ILLINOIS Contents MARCH 2015 A PUBLICATION OF THE ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION VOLUME 5 • NUMBER 3 YIELD, COMPOSITION & PROFITABILITY Watch for these Soybean Yield Robbers A PUBLICATION OF THE ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION | MARCH 2015 5 Prep for Season– There's plenty of opportunity from root to canopy for soybeans Long Pest Control to lose yield potential. Find out what the top 10 yield robbers are, along with some general estimates of possible loss. COVER STORY Set up an 6 What Bugs You? On-Farm Trial Illinois soybean farmers are sure to experience challenges with Peer into the weeds, insects and diseases in 2015. Illinois Field & Bean alerts Product Pipeline you to some of the pests you may encounter this season. MANAGEMENT MATTERS MYTHBUSTER PHOTO BY KENNA RATHAI PHOTO 9 On-Farm Research has Real-World Applications ABOUT THE COVER Are on-farm trials worth the time and effort? Get the truth Pat Tranel, University of Illinois weed about on-farm research from farmers and input suppliers who science professor, evaluates the waterhemp have experimented with tailored best production practices. present in this field. Waterhemp is one of the top economic weed problems for Illinois soybean farmers. YIELD, COMPOSITION & PROFITABILITY 10 Decade of the Soybean Technologies in the research and development pipeline will give Illinois soybean farmers more options for pest control PHOTO BY ISA BY ISA PHOTO and adding value. Learn what products are coming, and the benefits they may offer. TRANSPORTATION 12 Local Load Posting Highlights Need for Infrastructure Improvements As roads and bridges age, they limit efficient movement of agricultural products from the farm to end users. As was the No new product in the pipeline may offer case in Beardstown, Ill., ISA works with local government the cure-all to every food demand of a growing population, or alone eliminate and industry to draw attention to these challenges and help evolving weeds, insects or diseases. But develop long-term solutions. they do load the farmer toolbox. Read more on page 10. 14 FREEDOM TO OPERATE DEPARTMENTS Chicago is Center of Influence for Soybeans Chicago and its collar counties are unique in their position, 3 PERSPECTIVE power and influence in affecting how Illinois soybean farmers do business. Get perspectives from urban experts about the 4 GUEST EDITORIAL impact the city has, and can have, on Illinois agriculture in 13 BY THE NUMBERS the future. 17 PARTNER NEWS 18 MEMBERSHIP NEWS 19 I'M A LEADER SM 2 Illinois Field & Bean | MARCH 2015 perspective ISA Helps Move Research from Lab to Application CHAIRMAN Carrie Winkelmann, Tallula | Soybean production research has long been an important tool for helping farmers Bill Raben, Ridgway District 9 increase yields, reduce damage from pests, battle plant diseases and fertilize efficiently. District 18 Jered Hooker, Clinton | District 10 VICE CHAIRMAN Doug Schroeder, Mahomet | We traditionally have relied on university researchers using Illinois soybean checkoff District 11 Mike Marron, Fithian dollars, and increasingly private company scientists, to perform those basic and District 7 Roberta Simpson-Dolbeare, Nebo | District 12 applied research projects. SECRETARY Gary Berg, St. Elmo | District 13 Lynn Rohrscheib, Fairmount Donald E. Guinnip, Marshall | Recently, ISA has shifted its research focus slightly to even better meet farmer At-Large Director District 14 needs. While we recognize continued value in basic research, we also are investing in TREASURER Daryl Cates, Columbia | District 15 more technology transfer. That’s to say, we are putting more investment into giving David Droste, Nashville Tim Scates, Carmi | District 16 District 17 David Droste, Nashville | District 17 farmers the practical applications of research results. By providing the management Bill Raben, Ridgway | District 18 ASSISTANT SECRETARY-TREASURER tools farmers need to use research findings, we all can enhance our soybean yield Daryl Cates, Columbia AT-LARGE DIRECTORS District 15 Jeff Lynn, Oakford potential, and ultimately, our profitability as farmers. C. W. Gaffner, Greenville MARKETING COMMITTEE CHAIR John Hagenbuch, Utica On the basic and applied studies front, we support a number of in-state projects. Duane Dahlman, Marengo Jenny Mennenga, Le Roy For example, in the last year or so, we helped fund evaluation of new technologies District 2 Austin Rincker, Moweaqua Lynn Rohrscheib, Fairmount that improve nematode identification, use of nitrogen in soybean production, PRODUCTION COMMITTEE CHAIR Donald E. Guinnip, Marshall UNITED SOYBEAN BOARD (USB) management in high-yield environments, and herbicide resistance and risk of District 14 Doug Winter herbicide injury in soybean production. Dan Farney DIRECTORS Dwain Ford Paul Rasmussen, Genoa | District 1 David Hartke At the same time, we have provided more technology transfer opportunities. For Duane Dahlman, Marengo | example, last year we organized and led a double-crop initiative roundtable. The District 2 AMERICAN SOYBEAN John Longley, Aledo | District 3 ASSOCIATION (ASA) purpose of the roundtable was to bring together technical expertise to discuss the Sharon Covert, Tiskilwa | District 4 Mike Cunningham W. Stan Born, Dunlap | District 5 Ron Moore double-crop wheat-soybean system, what the limitations and opportunities are, Bill Wykes Rob Shaffer, El Paso | District 6 and what activities and tasks need to be done to improve productivity. The goal is Mike Marron, Fithian | District 7 U.S. SOYBEAN EXPORT COUNCIL to develop strategies to increase yield of double-crop soybeans without sacrificing Dale Asher, Sutter | District 8 (USSEC) Sharon Covert wheat yield. We continue to lead that initiative. Other technology transfer opportunities include the Illinois Soybean Summit STAFF CREDITS Publisher | Amy Roady, Illinois Soybean Association held in Effingham and Peoria, Ill., this winter. Farmers Managing Editor | Barb Baylor Anderson, Anderson and Associates who attended one of these events took home practical Assistant Editor | Jayne Godfrey, Illinois Soybean Association Chief Financial Officer | Brian Hansen, Illinois Soybean Association information they can use in their fields this season. Production Manager | Jacqi Fisher, Farm Progress Companies The Summit covered new trends and techniques to Designer | Katie Range, Katie Range Design boost yield potential and new ways to overcome OTHER ISA STAFF production challenges. Chief Executive Officer | Craig Ratajczyk Director Strategic Market Development | Mark Albertson This issue of Illinois Field & Bean provides more Director Issues Management/Analysis | Mike Levin Director Strategic Research Programs | Linda Kull information and resources for you to manage The Illinois Soybean Association is owner of Illinois Field & Bean, your 2015 crop. I also encourage you to visit a publication for Illinois soybean farmers, designed and written our production management website, to provide timely and useful industry information. Illinois Field & Bean is published eight times a year by the Illinois Soybean ILSoyAdvisor.com, to keep up to date, Association, 1605 Commerce Parkway, Bloomington, IL 61704. For address corrections, contact Illinois Field & Bean at 1605 Commerce as well as ask questions and interact Parkway, Bloomington, IL 61704. Phone 309-663-7692. Web address: with other farmers. www.ilsoy.org. Email: [email protected]. Comments and statewide news articles should be sent to the above Have a safe planting season. ■ 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. BILL RABEN FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION CALL: JEFF SMITH ISA Chairman Advertising Sales Manager Phone: 217-877-1662 [email protected] PHOTO BY KEN KASHIAN, ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU ILLINOIS FARM BY KEN KASHIAN, PHOTO Checkoff Watch for Summer Learning Opportunities ISA will host and participate in various field day events this summer to offer more learning opportunities for Illinois FACT: soybean farmers. Stay in touch at ILSoyAdvisor.com. Illinois Field & Bean | MARCH 2015 3 GUEST EDITORIAL Maximize Plant Genetic Expression for Better Yield Potential > BY JEFF MIDDLETON Every soybean producer understands the importance of strong being able to synthesize enough of the key hormone, auxin, which genetics, fertility and control of weeds, disease and insects — is needed to activate cell division and food movement within the things easily seen and managed. However, even after these have plant. Additionally, soybeans typically abort 60 to 75 percent of been addressed, soybean yields and quality can often turn out to be their flowers and pods. Optimizing hormone balance can increase disappointing as a result of crop stress, no matter how good the crop flower and pod retention and significantly improve yields. looks during the season. GET BETTER PLANT PERFORMANCE Understanding how