Corn and Soybean Classic

www.farmweeknow.com
Compiled by IFB Staff
2009-12-21

Frustrated farmers are questioning why their soybean yields have been lagging, despite the incredible yields some participants have achieved in soybean yield contests. From 1950 to 2005, yields have increased by an average of 1.1 percent per year. This linear trend has come to a halt in the most recent half decade.

Vince Davis, assistant professor in the University of Illinois Department of Crop Sciences, will address these challenges soybean producers are facing in his first appearance at the 2010 Illinois Corn and Soybean Classics. Davis is a newly appointed faculty member at the U of I focusing on the limitations of higher soybean yields and the profitable production of soybean in a sustainable manner.

“The average soybean yields have not appeared to keep that increasing pace – causing both frustration and concern,” Davis said.

Soybean yields greater than 150 bushels per acre were achieved by a soybean yield contest participant in southwest Missouri in 2007. There have been other reported yields of greater than 100 bushels per acre. “This lagging trend and high contest yield reports have raised questions among soybean producers and academic researchers alike regarding the management needed to produce high soybean yields,” Davis said. The 2010 Illinois Corn & Soybean Classics promote the latest findings in crop production, pest management, and economics. Producers are invited to attend on Jan. 6 in Mt. Vernon, Jan. 8 in Champaign, Jan. 11 in Springfield, Jan. 12 in Bloomington, Jan. 13 in Moline, or Jan. 14 in Malta. To register, go online or contact saosterb@illinois.edu.


Return to Article List