Illinois farmers invest in the soybean checkoff, but what do those dollars really do for you? The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) Agronomy team is focused on providing farmers with independent, research-backed resources and services that drive profitability, stewardship and high yields. Through on-farm trials, digital tools, farmer education and agronomic research, ISA checkoff investments are making a direct impact across the state.

In this article, members of the ISA Agronomy team, located throughout the state, share how they are using checkoff funding to support farmers with practical information, new research and hands-on assistance.

Abigail Peterson, CCA, Director of Agronomy, Northern Illinois

“My priority is to ensure checkoff dollars work for Illinois farmers by strengthening agronomic research and addressing unmet needs in soybean production. Each year, I challenge our funded programs to provide solutions for farmers statewide.

When I started at ISA, we aligned our goals to investigate the science behind key issues related to carbon sequestration, conservation within soybean systems management and targeted integrated pest management threats. With our farmer-driven strategic plan, we meet regional needs, support conservation to reduce nutrient loss and engage farmers with checkoff-funded research for operational improvements.

For the 2026 proposals, my efforts are to challenge the team, farmers and industry to develop the next round of checkoff funds to make the difference needed for advancing soybean production systems.”

Stephanie Porter, CCA, Outreach Agronomist, South Central Illinois

“The 2024 planting season included several planting windows and some replanting. After heavy midseason rains, I received calls about sparse soybean stands in certain fields. If it wasn’t hail, slugs, herbicide or human error, what else could be causing it? I often visit fields across Illinois to provide an unbiased, ‘boots on the ground’ assessment.

In this case, the seed was initially described as poor quality, which could have contributed to the stand issues. However, closer inspection revealed scattered dead plants of a particular soybean variety. Some plants showed signs of Phytophthora root rot, including a curled top and a dark canker at the stem base. You can always send samples to a diagnostic clinic for confirmation. I shared my analysis from this visit, along with management recommendations, in the Field Advisor Field Notes Blog and Crop Report. We will continue conducting these ‘boots on the ground’ assessments during the 2025 growing season. Follow along at FieldAdvisor.org.”

Stacy Zuber, Ph.D., Research Data Scientist, East Central Illinois

“Farmers make an incredible number of management decisions before, during and after every growing season. One key question is whether applying sulfur can improve soybean yields. Other factors must also be considered: How much is needed to make a difference? What is the return on investment?

The ISA On-Farm Trial Network aims to answer these questions and support farmers in their decision-making. For 2025, a protocol was developed to test whether soybean yields respond to sulfur fertilization and, if so, under what conditions. Collaboration with researchers ensured the protocol addressed the right questions without duplicating previous studies.

This year, 18 on-farm sites across Illinois will implement the sulfur protocol and treatment. By winter, the results are expected to provide farmers with valuable insights into the effectiveness of sulfur applications and their potential benefits for soybean production.”

Connie Copley, Agronomy Team Coordinator, Central Illinois

“As agronomy team coordinator, my biggest takeaways on ‘what has the checkoff done’ for farmers lately include engagement, communications, outreach and education.

As part of the newly formed ISA Agronomy team, I plan and execute activities that increase engagement. I use various communication channels to address statewide questions and report back to farmers through our platforms.

Our website was recently refreshed, rebranded and filled with information. FieldAdvisor.org is a primary tool, housing field day schedules, research, podcasts, crop reports and blogs.

I also help produce educational resources like webinars and brochures while supporting youth education at statewide events.”

Deanna Burkhart, Producer and Field Services Administrator, Central Illinois

“Illinois farmers have an opportunity to collaborate directly with ISA to address field-related questions and drive on-farm research. The ISA On-Farm Trial Network is a project funded by the checkoff that allows Illinois farmers to engage with ISA Agronomy Team members and university researchers. We are working together to implement on-farm trials that are intended to support critical agronomic decisions. Current trials explore soybean sulfur fertilization, cover crop impacts on soil health, the return on investment for insecticide seed treatments and foliar insecticide applications.

Farmers who participate have the opportunity to provide their input on future research priorities in small groups and one-toone conversations. This collaboration reinforces that the work funded by the checkoff directly benefits soybean growers.

Illinois farmers interested in more information about the ISA On-Farm Trial Network should sign up at fieldadvisor.org/on-farm-trial-network/ to be among the first to hear about research results and on-farm trial opportunities.”

Jennifer Jones, CCA, Research Specialist, Southeast Illinois

“The ISA Agronomy Team ensures checkoff-funded research is driven by input from Illinois farmers and advisers. Each year, we administer an anonymous Soybean Production Concerns Survey to gather research questions from farmers. This year, over 150 people completed the survey. We use the results to guide research through the ISA On-Farm Trial Network and share them with trusted university partners for unbiased studies. Researchers applying for checkoff funding are encouraged to use the survey results to align trials with farmer interests.

If you haven’t taken the survey yet, it is open year-round at FieldAdvisor.org/current-projects. Scroll to the bottom and click ‘Take our survey’. While you’re there, take a minute to check out the current research projects funded by the Illinois checkoff. I hope you’ll be excited to see the research your checkoff has been doing for you lately.”

Lauran Hill, Agronomic Outreach Coordinator, Northern Illinois

“As the agronomic outreach coordinator on the ISA Agronomy team, I help ensure that checkoff funds are reinvested into valuable services, support, information and advancements in future technologies for farmers. My role in this mission focuses on marketing, design, promotion and content creation.

We conduct research, compile valuable data and share them with our farmer audience. From designing flyers, postcards and signs that showcase our services and research findings to hosting field days that highlight researchers and their results, as well as attending local dealer field nights to distribute and circulate this information, we serve as an essential, unbiased information hub for farmers. Our goal is to provide accessible, actionable information that supports farmers’ success, incorporating feedback and experiences from local producers.”

Kelsey Litchfield, Agronomic Outreach Manager, West Central Illinois

“As a farmer, you need independent, research-backed information to make the best decisions for your operation. That’s where your checkoff comes in. Funded by the ISA checkoff program, FieldAdvisor.org delivers unbiased agronomic information across digital platforms. Every day, I share data-driven content from our ISA Agronomy team and expert contributors—including blogs, daily social media updates, monthly webinars and weekly podcast episodes—to keep you informed. I manage this platform so you have timely, research-backed information at your fingertips, helping you make the best decisions for your farm.

Backed by your checkoff dollars, this resource delivers expert perspectives on crop production, soil health, pest management, conservation practices and more—all designed to help you improve yields and profitability. No sales pitches, just trusted, practical information tailored to your farm’s success. Your checkoff dollars work for you, ensuring you have access to the knowledge you need, when and where you need it.”

Your Illinois soybean checkoff dollars are working for you, providing research-driven information, on-farm trials and agronomic expertise to help improve your operation. Don’t miss out on these valuable resources. Visit FieldAdvisor.org to explore current research, sign up for updates and take part in upcoming trials and educational opportunities.

Let us know what challenges you’re facing—your feedback helps shape future research and ensures checkoff investments continue to deliver results for Illinois farmers.