Bloomington, Ill. – September 12, 2022 – Farmers now have access to a new, go-to resource housing good data management practices thanks to a project funded by the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff program.
The Carbon & Data Guidebook, which can be accessed on ILSoyAdvisor.com, covers the basics of emerging carbon and ecosystem programs, their farm data needs, and how farmers can better position their farm operations for any program or precision ag initiative.
The importance of good data management is being accentuated due to the plethora of carbon and ecosystem programs becoming available in recent years. It’s becoming critical that famers take a harder look at how they are collecting, managing, and storing their farm data – whether or not they are pursuing a carbon or conservation program.
“The Carbon & Data Guidebook is a resource growers can utilize to help organize their data for sale, whether it’s to a carbon program or for other value-add situations requiring data. The Guidebook contains advice on file types, digital tools, and the types of practice data needed to enter a carbon or ecosystem service market,” says Megan Miller, ISA Agronomy Programs Manager.
“Looking at the future, these ecosystem service markets are among the first opportunities growers have to sell their practice data. Getting your data in order now will allow you to take advantage of future opportunities.”
To view the Guidebook, visit https://www.ilsoyadvisor.com/carbon-data-guidebook/.
The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff and membership programs represent more than 43,000 soybean farmers in Illinois. The checkoff funds market development and utilization efforts while the membership program supports the government relations interests of Illinois soybean farmers at the local, state, and national level, through the Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG). ISA upholds the interests of Illinois soybean producers through promotion, advocacy, and education with the vision of becoming a market leader in sustainable soybean production and profitability. For more information, visit the website www.ilsoy.org and www.ilsoygrowers.com.
###
