As the recently elected Soybean Production Committee Chairman, I’m excited to use my first Illinois Field & Bean column to highlight the expansive efforts of the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) Agronomy team.

Farming looks different across Illinois, and this 10-person, all-female team is dedicated to providing soybean farmers with the tools and resources needed to enhance on-farm profitability and manage crop production risks. Spread across nearly every corner of our state, each team member brings the unique insights and experiences that reflect the real needs of Illinois farmers.

Every farmer who grows corn, soybeans or wheat in Illinois can discover valuable insights for their operation on FieldAdvisor.org. From region-specific updates during the growing season and results from ISA-funded research to frequent weather updates and tailored agronomic advice, Field Advisor delivers practical, timely information – all the time, right at our fingertips.

In the last issue of Illinois Field & Bean, “Soy Around the World,” you not only read about ISA’s forward-looking international market development efforts, but you also might’ve caught the Soybean Production Committee’s list of farmer-driven, checkoff-funded research happening in fiscal year 2026. Each of these projects has been chosen carefully based on science and the real needs of Illinois farmers. With multiple current and past projects covering pest management, conservation practices and in-season agronomy, you can follow updates and findings year-round at FieldAdvisor.org.

Also on FieldAdvisor.org, you’ll find information about how to participate in the On-Farm Trial Network (OFTN), a program designed to function as the bridge between Illinois farms and university and industry research. Through OFTN, the team facilitates field-scale crop trials across a wide range of weather, soils and locations throughout Illinois, further enhancing the validity of research results.

At the ISA Agronomy Farm in Heyworth, Ill., the team conducts trials that complement ongoing, checkoff-funded university research to create applicable results for Illinois farmers. It also serves as a dedicated and centralized location to demonstrate trials for soybeans, corn and wheat, as well as cover crops, pollinator habitats and nutrient management practices to our policymakers and visiting trade delegations.

The ISA Agronomy team is working on behalf of every Illinois soybean farmer, whether it’s digitally through FieldAdvisor.org, statewide on-farm trials or demonstrations at the ISA Agronomy Farm. Combined, these efforts ensure farmers have access to reliable, applicable and field-tested information that strengthens our operations. As your Soybean Production Committee Chairman, I encourage you to take advantage of these resources, stay connected through Field Advisor, and consider getting involved in future on-farm trials. Together, we’re making sure checkoff investments deliver results where they matter most: on Illinois farms.