Every year brings a new set of challenges for Illinois soybean farmers. The weather shifts, weeds get a little smarter, seed and inputs change — in cost, performance and availability. And through it all, our farmers not only show up, they level up their game.

We are steadfast believers in the old saying that strong crops start with strong roots. We keep digging — into the data, into the field, into the kinds of insights that actually matter when you’re managing risk and trying to make the most of every acre. That’s why we’ve brought you this exclusive issue of Illinois Field & Bean Magazine: to share the findings of our latest research through our 2025 Annual Insights Report and to better position you for a record-breaking growing season. Inside this issue, you’ll hear from our ISA Agronomy team and the researchers who are powering these efforts forward.

What we found reflects what we’re hearing directly from you. Planting windows are narrowing and pest pressure is shifting fast, especially with soybean stem diseases such as SDS and white mold.

Weed control remains a top concern, and nutrient strategies are under a microscope as growers push for more efficient, profitable approaches. This report is a collection of field-tested insights boiled down into clear, actionable takeaways. It’s information you can trust to guide decisions now, in real time.

This season, we’ve brought on the 2025 class of IL Soy Envoys — six boots-on-the-ground agronomy professionals stationed across Illinois who send in weekly updates from the field. These aren’t office-bound analysts, they’re boot-deep in the soil, watching crops evolve and spotting issues as they happen. From emerging pests to crop health trends, they’re focused on threats and opportunities in your region.

The Envoys’ updates are all hosted at FieldAdvisor.org — a website built for growers who need quick answers they can act on. Whether you’re in the cab, in the shop or at the kitchen table planning your next move, FieldAdvisor.org meets you where you are. It includes disease ID information, regional alerts, technical resources and real-time insights from ISA agronomists and Envoys alike.

This exclusive issue of Illinois Field & Bean also tackles one of the biggest long-term priorities for Illinois growers: soil health. Across these pages, we explore how ISA is investing in practices that protect and preserve the soil while keeping yields and profitability top of mind. Whether it’s research on cover crops, conservation tillage or smarter nutrient application, we’re focused on supporting the systems that build long-term resilience into your operation.

Everything in this issue comes down to one goal: helping you get more out of every acre. We’re taking the guesswork out of the equation and using this farmer-focused research to uncover real answers and deliver real solutions.

We can’t give our farmers more hours in the day. But we are committed to the work that results in your growth and profitability and positions Illinois as a leader in soybean production and innovation.