Martin a believer in early beans
WENONA – Jim Martin, who farms near the LaSalle and Livingston county line, was glad to see the sun and warmer temperatures last week.
He got an early start to planting this year as he started putting soybeans in the ground around April 15. Then the rains came and he is trying to get things finished-up out in the field. Martin experienced ponding on his farms after the heavy rains over Mother’s Day weekend.
“This year was the earliest I ever got started on beans,” Martin told The Central Illinois Farm Network.
Martin considers soybean seed treatment a benefit of planting early since seeds experienced cold temperatures and rainfall this year.
“I was reading some agronomy newsletters and my takeaway was that earlier rain was really good for activating those pre-emerge herbicides.”
In addition to farming, Martin represents District Six of the Illinois Soybean Association covering Livingston, McLean and Woodford counties. He serves on a few different committees and enjoys working with members.
“We have a new person on staff that is the director of conservation,” Martin explained. “I am serving on his committee.”
A new initiative from ISA includes the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund where they are trying to learn what farmers can do with selling carbon off the farm and improving water quality. Also, biodiesel is one of the biggest checkoff investments. ISA promotes the higher blends of domestic biodiesel which helps improve the price of soybeans.
Another project from ISA is the B-20 Club which started a few years ago with some of the Chicago park districts and larger companies promoting biodiesel blends in their own vehicle fleets.
More on the Illinois Soybean Association can be found at www.ilsoy.org. The site includes information such as research and different programs the association is working on. For information from certified crop advisors, visit www.ilsoyadvisor.com. The site includes advice and details on the different ISA programs.
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