Soybean Production

Objectives

The Soybean Production team is responsible for cross-functional agronomic research and education that creates opportunities for Illinois soybean farmers to increase on-farm profitability and manage crop production risks.

Research

Research and technology help us solve today’s problems and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges. The Illinois Soybean Association is dedicated to the continuous improvement of our industry so Illinois soybean farmers can make the most of every acre for years to come.

Outreach

The Illinois Soybean Association strives to regularly engage and communicate with growers and consumers year-round to promote the value of Illinois soybeans.

Programs

The Illinois Soybean Association collaborates with partners like Precision Conservation Management (PCM), Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources (STAR) and the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund (SWOF) to conduct various training programs for retailers and growers alike.

Field Trials

On-farm research has developed significantly over the years with many producers taking advantage of the data provided by field trials.

Priorities

Build partnerships with both public and private entities to augment ISA's agronomic research and education programs.

Establish basic and applied research priorities that address regionally specific production opportunities and challenges, as well as economic factors.

Demonstrate soybean system agronomics focused on soil and water quality, agricultural resource resiliency, and land stewardship.

Continue to expand the ISA agronomic network and raise awareness and trust among farmers through ongoing outreach and research education.

Margenot Soil Quality

A research project to establish and integrate benchmarks of soybean sustainability in Illinois using soil health, water quality and climate-smart metrics.

Advanced Soil Health Training

These training opportunities will consist of six workshops over 16 months to 20-25 retail focused agriculture professionals in Central Illinois seeking to increase their knowledge on conservation cropping systems and soil health.

Crop Science Variety Trials; Protein & Oil

University of Illinois Crop Science Variety Trials will analyze varieties for protein and oil.

On Farm Field Trial Sites

The ISA On-Farm Trial Sites will provide soil health data, yield response to conservation practices, ROI analysis, and agronomic knowledge to conservation systems.

Soybean Stem Pests

This proposed work aims to conduct a survey of important stem diseases and insect pests affecting soybean, identifying pests and assessing adopted management practices.

Understanding the Importance of Cover Crop Planting Date

Cover crops are an integral tool in preserving and increasing soil productivity of Illinois’ grain cropping systems. The benefits of cover crops are numerous, including but not limited to stewardship of soil and water resources, weed suppression, and nutrient retention.

Committee Members

Brady Holst

Chairman

Brady Holst is the ISA Soybean Production Committee Chairman, an At Large director and serves on the Finance Committee. Holst farms corn, soybeans, and wheat around Augusta Illinois. Prior to working on the farm full time, he was a design engineer at an ag-technology company after graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Board Members

Brady Holst, Soybean Production Chairman
Jeff O’Connor, Soybean Production Vice Chairman
Betsey Emerick
Nick Harre
Jim Martin
Jeff Parker
Bryan Severs
David Wessel

Staff Members

Abigail Peterson, Soybean Production Program Lead
Deanna Burkhart
Jennifer Jones
Olivia Key
Melissa Kennedy
Kelsey Litchfield
Megan Miller
Kati Owen
Rachel Peabody
Stephanie Porter
Dustin Scott
Brynna Sentel