Growers asked to join statewide effort to document soybean compositional quality

To help ensure the future economic value of Illinois soybeans, the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) is leading a statewide program to measure protein and oil levels in Illinois soybeans from this fall’s harvest.

“We’re very proud of the yields we raise in Illinois, but we also need to make sure those beans are delivering the protein and oil levels that our customers expect,” explains David Droste, soybean farmer from Nashville, Ill. and ISA director.

“Investing in programs like this is a form of insurance to protect our market share and the future value of Illinois soybeans. It’s absolutely essential we meet our customers’ expectations so that Illinois soybeans stay competitive in the global marketplace.”

While 2014 marks the third year that ISA has supported this study, grower support is critical this year, explains Sharon Bard, manager, Centrec Consulting Group, LLC.

“Working together with growers from every county in Illinois, we’ll be able to develop a county-level baseline measure of compositional quality for our soybeans,” says Bard. “To help us do this, we’re asking growers throughout the state to contribute 1 or 2 samples from their fall 2014 harvest,” she adds.

How to participate

Bard says all growers who choose to participate simply need to sign up for the program and a kit will be mailed to them. Then, it’s as simple as labeling the sample bag, adding some beans and returning it in the postage paid envelope. There are no costs to growers who participate in the program.

Individual results will be returned to all participants, so they can see how their sample compared to state, regional and county levels. However, individual results will be kept strictly confidential.

For more informationor tosign up, visit http://www.ilsoy.org/composition/qualitysurvey or contact Pat Herron at pherron@centrec.com, or (217) 352-1190.