Justification

Soybeans consistently rank as one of Minnesota's top three commodities in cash receipts, accounting for nearly $1.5 billion per year in recent years. In the past two years, Minnesota farmers have planted more acres of soybeans than any other crop. From the Northwest to the Southeast region, soybeans are a major crop throughout the state. For nearly 100 years, the University of Minnesota has been producing world-class soybean research, thanks to plant breeders, plant disease specialists, soil scientists, agronomists, and soybean product innovators. This research has led to Minnesota producing over 5% of the world's soybeans. To continue to be competitive in a world market with increasing numbers of soybeans, Minnesota farmers and crop professionals count on speedy and accurate dissemination of information from the University of Minnesota Extension Service.

Audience

• Minnesota (and regional) Producers
• Crop Professionals

Objective

To improve the profitability of growing soybeans in Minnesota by educating producers/professionals about current research-based management techniques. Profitability could be increased through maximized yields, new varieties, nutrient management, pest and disease reduction, and new markets and products for soybean usage. Management techniques will be advocated in an environmentally-responsible manner.

Program Team Members/Contributors

• Seth Naeve, Key Contact
• Dale Hicks, Content Specialist
• Jeff Gunsolus, Content Specialist
• Lee Hardman, Content Specialist
• Ken Ostlie, Content Specialist
• George Rehm, Content Specialist
• Bruce Potter, IPM Specialist
• Fritz Breitenbach, IPM Specialist
• Carlyle Holen, IPM Specialist
• Zach Fore, Regional Cropping Specialist
• Hans Kandel
• Jim Stordahl
• Russ Severson
• Doug Holen
• David Schwartz
• Dan Martens
• Jim Nesseth
• Lisa Behnken
• Bill Halfman
• Dave Pfarr
• Bob Olson
• Kendall Dykhuis, REE
• Paul Mahoney

Cooperating Organizations

• University of Minnesota
• University of Minnesota Extension Service
• Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council
• Minnesota Soybean Growers Association
• Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Program Products

• Minnesota Soybean Field Book
• Just for Growers
• Soybean Growth and Development Information for Replant Decisions
• Improving the Profitability of Soybean Production in SE Minnesota
• Managing Soybean Aphid
• MN0201-new soybean variety
• MN0302-new soybean variety
• MN1302-new soybean variety
• The Soybean Cyst Nematode Fact Sheet
• Soybean Aphids Brochure
• The Soybean Growers Field Guide for Evaluating Crop Damage and Replant Options
• U of M Soybean Plot Tours
• NW MN maximum yield demonstration plots
• 2002 Soybean Production Conference
• Northwest Minnesota Soybean Schools, 2002 and planned for 2003 Soybean Aphid Meetings throughout the state

Research Base

• General Soybean Production - Agronomy and Plant Genetics
• Soybean Breeding and Variety Evaluation-Agronomy and Plant Genetics
• Soil Fertility-Soil, Water, and Climate
• Iron Chlorosis-Soil, Water, and Climate; Agronomy and Plant Genetics
• Pest Management
  • Insects (Soybean Aphid and Bean Leaf Beatle) - Entomology
  • Soybean Diseases and Soybean Cyst Nematode - Plant Pathology
  • Weed Management - Agronomy and Plant Genetics