ISA attends farm shows to better connect with farmers across the state. For us, farm shows are a great opportunity to converse and reconnect, and also a chance for farmers to explore resources, new tools and technologies, and to ask questions.

At the recent Northern Illinois Farm Show we were asked many questions; here are a few that stood out:

Question: “I was looking for more information on growing non-GMO or identity-preserved beans. Where do I find that?”

Answer: You can find more information on soybean specialty programs at soypremiums.org. This website is funded by the soybean checkoff and connects soybean farmers with premium programs by allowing buyers to post premium programs, giving growers a detailed program listing and providing links to additional resources.

Question: “In the past, you published VIPS (Varietal Information Program for Soybeans), but I haven’t seen them in awhile. Do you still do that?”

Answer: ISA no longer publishes VIPS. However, the United Soybean Board offers an alternative tool, the Soybean Quality Toolbox, which offers a step-by-step process to find high-quality soybean varieties for your farm.

Question: “I heard there was a farmer in Illinois who grew more than 100 bushels this year; how did he do it?”

Answer: It’s true.  Dan Arkels, a farmer from LaSalle County, grew 103.95-bushel per acre soybeans in Illinois Soybean Association’s Yield Contest. In a recent ILSoyAdvisor.com article, Highway to 100 Bushel Soybeans, Arkels breaks down what steps and applications got him to the top.

Coming up, ISA will be attending the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association Annual Meeting as well as the Midwest Ag Expo. Be sure to stop by our booth and ask your soybean questions—or leave a comment below with questions you’re curious about.