The Better Beans Series event in Champaign-Urbana was held on February 21, 2019, at the iHotel and Conference Center. The event was brought to producers by the Illinois Soybean Association checkoff program in partnership with the CCA Soy Envoy program and Ehler Brothers Co. based in Thomasboro, Illinois. Speakers provided useful information for increasing soybean production in 2019 and beyond to area farmers and industry professionals.

The day began with a hot breakfast sponsored by Illinois Soybean Association corporate sponsor, Stoller USA. Kris Ehler, CCA Soy Envoy and sales agronomist with Ehler Bros. Co., kicked off the sessions and warmed up the crowd for Fred Below, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), who shared his insights and research results on the “Six Secrets of Soybean Success” with central Illinois producers. Ehler then took the stage again to discuss the “Pursuit of 100-Bushel Soybeans” and tactics growers could adopt on their farms to maximize every acre. Gary Schnitkey, Ph.D., UIUC, shared the keys to profitability with the audience and encouraged resilience in 2019. Schnitkey was followed by Brad Hammes, Helena Chemical Co., who helped producers to understand plant growth regulators (PGRs) and how to successfully implement them on their soybean acres.

Following the program, attendees enjoyed a hot lunch sponsored by Valent USA and networked with the agriculture industry representatives onsite in the exhibitor space.

You can view all the presentations from the speakers via the links below.