View from the Cab: Bean meetings coming

By: Kent Casson

Get out the pen and your 2023 calendar. There are plenty of informational ag meetings offered by the Illinois Soybean Association in the coming days and weeks to put on your schedule.

The “Better Beans” series includes a variety of speakers at different locations around the state. This event kicked off last Wednesday in Bloomington featuring an ISA agronomy team update and research information. Dan Schaefer, director of nutrient stewardship for the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association, gave a synopsis of NREC funded research from the University of Illinois and ISA district director Jim Martin covered the Heartland Soil Lab Project.

A similar event is planned for January 25 at Quincy featuring Jim Isermann, an independent ag consultant specializing in conservation and soil health practices. Also, Mark Bernards with Western Illinois University in Macomb will talk about planting soybeans “green” along with Pennycress and weed management lessons learned on the WIU agronomy farm. Current management of soybean cyst nematode will be covered by Mandy Bish, PhD, Extension Specialist with University of Missouri.

The third and final “Better Beans” event in Carbondale is slated for February 23 including a discussion on soybean stem pests from Danillo Leite with Southern Illinois University. Dr. Karla Gage will review weed control program diversity and the how and why for long-term success. Terry Wyciskalla, owner-operator of Wyciskalla Consulting LLC, will outline potash fertilizer and base saturation.

The big “Soybean Summit All Stars Edition” takes place on Groundhog Day, February 2, at the I-Hotel and

Conference Center in Champaign. This year’s summit will be in a hybrid format, offering in-person and virtual attendance options. Registration is free but not required for this event and walk-ins will be accepted. Those registering by the middle of January will receive a Soybean Summit gift box.

The IL Soy Advisor team has drafted the leading soybean experts for the handoff of the latest in soybean agronomy, sustainable production and checkoff-funded research so growers can maximize yield and optimize returns from the field. Soybean Summit is funded by the Illinois Soybean Association checkoff program and gathers growers from across the state. For the first time, the summit will host an undergraduate and graduate student research poster competition. Cash awards for first, second and third places will be presented along with prizes for participants who attend.

CEU credits will be available for CCAs attending Soybean Summit.