Blog

BLOOMINGTON, ILL – The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) is hosting its 2015 Soybean Summit: Soybean Masters at two different locations and dates. The first will take place Friday, January 30, 2015 at the Keller Convention Center in Effingham, Ill. The second will take place Friday, March 6, 2015 at the Peoria Civic Center in Peoria, Ill.

Funded in part by the Illinois soybean checkoff, both one-day Summits will encourage participants in the soybean production industry to examine and explore various soybean management techniques that can lead to higher yields and greater profitability. This includes:

• Developing habits to become a Soybean Master
• Discovering new trends and techniques that can help boost yield potential
• Finding new ways to overcome production challenges
• Learning how Illinois soybean growers can meet the growing soybean demand

 “No matter what part of Illinois you farm in or soil you have to work with... the bar for soybean yields is being reset,” says Bill Raben, soybean farmer from Ridgway, Ill., and ISA chairman. "In 2014, farmers across the state proved larger yields are possible – including Dan Arkels from Peru, Ill., who harvested a record-breaking 103.95 bushels per acres on his 30-acre ISA Soybean Yield Challenge test plot in LaSalle County. This year’s Summit will continue the discussion on boosting yields and help more farmers reach that 100-bushel mark.”

Beginning at 7:00 a.m., soybean growers from across the state will gather to listen to great speakers, exchange thoughts with other growers, and learn about new ideas and techniques. They will also have the opportunity to interact with consultants and representatives from suppliers and manufacturers.  The agendas for each event are packed with valuable learning and networking opportunities, as well as an on-site trade show.

Key sessions for the Jan. 30 Effingham Summit include:

• Become a Soybean Master -- David Holshouser, Virginia Tech
• Q&A Farmer Panel: Producing High-Yield Soybeans in Illinois -- Dan Arkels, LaSalle County farmer and 2014 plot yield leader, and other soybean leaders
• What the market signals are telling us about producing corn and soybeans in 2014 and how to be profitable -- Brent Gloy, Economist/Farmer

Key sessions for the March 6 Peoria Summit include:

• What Market Signals are Telling Us about Producing Corn and Soybeans in 2014, and How to be Profitable -- Steve Johnson, Iowa State University
• Will 2015 Weather Be a Repeat of ’12, ’13 or ’14, and How Best to Prepare -- Elywnn Taylor, Iowa State University
• Q&A Farmer Panel: It Takes a Team; Producing 100-bushel Soybeans in Illinois  -- Dan Arkels, LaSalle County farmer and 2014 plot yield leader, and other soybean leaders

Four breakout sessions also will be offered at the events.  The Effingham Summit will cover soybean management topics such as managing Palmer and waterhemp in soybeans, selecting the right seed treatments, managing soybeans in Southern Illinois, and developing a double crop soybean program.  The Peoria Summit will cover variety placement, on-farm research for producing high-yield soybeans, developing habits of a high-yield soybean grower, and developing a foundation for a solid agronomy program.

"We're excited to have Dan Arkels share the techniques he used on the way to reaching 100-bushel soybeans in Illinois at both Summits,” says Don Guinnip, soybean farmer from Marshall, Ill., and ISA District 14 Director and Production Committee chairman.  "This is a great opportunity to learn first-hand techniques that can help you achieve higher yields."

The Illinois Soybean Summit is free to Illinois growers, agronomists and others in the soybean production industry.  Online registration for both events is available at ilsoy.org/summit or by calling 888-826-4011.  Registration deadline for the Effingham Summit is January 13, 2015 and February 22, 2015 for the Peoria Summit.

The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) represents more than 45,000 soybean farmers in Illinois through the state soybean checkoff and membership efforts. The checkoff funds market development, soybean production and profitability research, promotion, issues management and analysis, communications and education. Membership and advocacy efforts support Illinois soybean farmer interests in local areas, Springfield and Washington, D.C. ISA programs are designed to ensure Illinois soy is the highest quality, most dependable, sustainable and competitive in the global marketplace. For more information, visit the website www.ilsoy.org.