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Register Today for Illinois Soybean Summit in Effingham
ISA is hosting its Soybean Summit at two different locations and on two different dates this year. The first will take place Feb. 6 at the Keller Convention Center in Effingham, Ill. The second will take place March 7 at the Peoria Civic Center in Peoria, Ill. Funded in part by the Illinois soybean checkoff, both one-day meetings will encourage participants to examine and explore various soybean management techniques that can lead to higher yields and greater profitability. The agendas are packed with learning and networking opportunities, as well as a trade show. The events are free to Illinois growers. Registration is available at www.soyyieldchallenge.com or by calling 888-826-4011. The registration deadline for the Effingham event is today, Jan. 24, and for the Peoria event is Feb. 21.
Hurry: Crop Sciences Scholarship Application Deadline is Next Week
ISA will again offer up to 10 college scholarships for the 2014-15 school year to promising students majoring in a crop sciences field. Students must be entering their junior year at the University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Western Illinois University or Illinois State University. The scholarship is worth $4,000 for the first year ($2,000 per semester). An additional $4,000 for a second year is awarded upon successful reapplication for a total of $8,000. Applicants must be completing a bachelor's of science degree in a crop sciences discipline, such as plant breeding, biotechnology, plant pathology, weed or crop management. The scholarship is administered by the Illinois Farm Bureau's IAA Foundation. Applicants may visit the IAA website and download application materials and guidelines. Applications must be submitted electronically or postmarked by Feb. 1. For details, click here.
RSVP Today: Learn About your Soybean Quality
Are you near the Quincy, Ill., area and want to know why soybean quality matters? You're invited for lunch and to learn more at a checkoff-funded Beyond the Elevator event Jan. 30 at the Quincy ADM facility. Find out why animal agriculture is looking for quality soybeans. Attendees also will learn how higher quality soybeans lead to increased demand, which could lead to higher prices. Additional Beyond the Elevator events will be held in select states throughout 2014 so soybean farmers can hear what their customers have to say about soybean quality. Register today.
Illinois Pork Expo has Seminars for Soybean Farmers
The 2014 Illinois Pork Expo will be held Feb. 4-5 at the Peoria Civic Center, and will include seminars that may be of interest to Illinois soybean farmers. A special session on Feb. 5 at 9 a.m. targets crop farmers who may be interested in learning more about contract hog production as an opportunity to help diversify their farms and help bring the next generation back to farm. A market outlook roundtable will follow at 10:30 a.m., and will provide a look ahead for corn, soybeans/soybean meal and hog markets and provide ideas about how to manage marketing risk for crops, feed inputs and hogs. As a sponsor, ISA also will have a booth at the trade show. Find more information here.
ISA Shares Checkoff Successes at IFCA Conference
ISA welcomed certified crop advisers (CCAs) to the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association Annual Convention and Trade Show this week with a lunch and short program. At-large director Ron Moore of Roseville, Ill., spoke to approximately 300 attendees about ISA's mission to utilize 600 million bushels of soybeans annually by 2020, as well as programs underway to improve soybean composition and to help farmers increase yields through better management. Moore also spread the word about the growing importance of herbicide resistance management and Take Action, a new checkoff-funded program to help stay ahead of weeds. Download resources and weed identification tools here.
Share your Cover Crop Experiences
The Midwest Cover Crops Council is conducting surveys of soybean growers and CCAs/agronomists to learn about the use and challenges of including cover crops before and after soybeans, and they need input. The checkoff-funded survey will be used to produce a report for farmers about cover crop use in soybean production. The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete and responses will be kept anonymous. Farmers can take the survey here. Agronomists can take the survey here.
More Soybean Acreage Expected in 2014
Farmers are beginning to make planting decisions for the 2014 crop season. Low futures prices for corn could result in greater plantings of soybeans. The common rule of thumb has been to plant more beans if the price is at least 2.5 times that of corn. Current market prices indicate soybean prices are at 2.47 times that of corn. With 462 million bushels harvested in 2013, the prediction for more soybean acreage in 2014 is welcome news as ISA works toward its goal of 600 million soybean bushels utilized by 2020.
ISA Attends National Biodiesel Conference and Expo
A delegation of ISA directors joined other biodiesel industry stakeholders at the 2014 National Biodiesel Conference and Expo in San Diego this week. Activities included seminars on the latest research, test drives of B20-ready vehicles from GM, Ford and Jeep, and policy discussions about the EPA's proposed reduction of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Rob Shaffer, ISA treasurer and soybean farmer from El Paso, Ill., notes, "I urge farmers to share their stories and voice support for the RFS by taking advantage of the EPA's public comment period. Visit www.VoiceForSoy.com by Jan. 29 and be heard."
Illinois Wheat Association Schedules Winter Wheat Forum
The Illinois Wheat Association's annual Winter Wheat Forum will be held Feb. 18 at Krieger's Holiday Inn Convention Center in Mt. Vernon, Ill. The forum, which aims to help Illinois wheat producers increase productivity and profitability, features a wide variety of attractions. Attendees can participate in sessions covering topics including disease management, no-till wheat planting in corn and soybean stubble, pros and cons of cover crops in a wheat-double crop rotation, and sessions on weather and markets. Registration will begin at 8 a.m., with educational sessions beginning at 9 a.m. The forum will conclude at 2:45 p.m., and will include lunch for registered attendees. To receive more information about the Winter Wheat Forum, visit www.illinoiswheat.org or contact Diane Handley at 309-557-3662.
Join the Illinois Soybean Growers Today
Just because you contribute to the Illinois soybean checkoff does not mean you belong to Illinois Soybean Growers. Soybean checkoff dollars cannot be used to fund legislative efforts.soybean grower political activities. Learn more about how to join here.
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