BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) recently announced that an annuity from its endowment at Western Illinois University (WIU) will fund three research proposals for the 2011-12 school year. Each of the projects will examine ways soybean farmers can enhance their production methods and yields.

The proposals chosen to receive the ISA endowment funds are:

• Joel Gruver - "Practical Cover Crop Management for Soybean Production in Illinois,"
• Winthrop Phippen and Harry Rukavina - "Rotation Effect of Pennycress on Soybean and Corn Yield" and
• Richard Musser and Sue Hum-Musser - "Defending Soybean from Insect Pests and Ozone Pollution."
  

"We are very pleased to support soybean-related research at WIU," stated ISA Assistant Secretary-Treasurer and District 17 Director Dean Campbell. "This collaboration helps find new ways to improve profitability and grow the market for Illinois-grown soybeans, while also fostering interest in agricultural studies at the university."

To ensure the best allocation of the $23,000 fund request, ISA has placed two small caveats on the funds. The first of these stipulations applies to Phippen and Rukavina's proposal, which covers a four-year research span. Since ISA only can fund one year at a time, the team must reapply each sequential year with no guarantee of being awarded more financing support. Additionally, the WIU Department of Agriculture will provide $1,000 in funding to supplement the annuity.

Originally bestowed to WIU in 2006, the $300,000 Endowed Soybean Support Fund is administered by an advisory committee comprised of both ISA and WIU representatives. This select group is responsible for soliciting and reviewing the proposals, choosing the recipients and monitoring the projects' progress and results.

About the Illinois Soybean Association
The Illinois Soybean Association is the statewide organization for Illinois soybean growers.  The farmers on its board administer soybean checkoff funds to support research, promotions, and educational programs designed to increase demand for Illinois soybeans and administer legislation and membership programs. For more information, visit: www.ilsoy.org.