Every Sample Counts: Submit Soybeans for 2023 Quality Survey

Do you produce high quality soybeans? If you are curious, this is your chance to send in a sample from your 2023 soybean harvest at no cost and to see for yourself! Postage is also provided, and most importantly, you will receive test results from your sample in mid-December. The complete survey report will be available at z.umn.edu/soybean-quality in January 2024. You will also find the previous seed quality reports at this link. When providing the company and variety information for your sample, you are also helping with efforts to identify which varieties produce the highest quality. All individual farmer test results obtained through this Annual Soybean Quality Survey will be kept confidential and only aggregate results are used in the survey report.

Dr. Seth Naeve, Associate Professor in Agronomy and Plant Genetics at the University of Minnesota, is kicking off the Annual Soybean Quality Survey, which has been ongoing since 1986 to document the United States’ ability to produce some of the best soybeans in the world. This survey would not be possible without the financial support from United Soybean Board. All U.S farmers are invited to participate by sending in samples from your 2023 soybean harvest to help the U.S. Soybean Export Council conduct its International Marking programs on behalf of the Soybean Checkoff.

How can you participate? Contact Connie Copley (connie.copley@ilsoy.org / 309-660-6860) at the Illinois Soybean Association to get your 2023 Soybean Quality Survey kit. This kit will include a blue sheet that has instructions on how to send in your postage-paid sample bag. Please return samples by October 23 to ensure your location is represented in presentations to high-value U.S. customers at Buyers Conferences around the world. Thanks for participating and remember, every sample counts!

About the Author: Stephanie Porter

As Outreach Agronomist for the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA), Stephanie supports research efforts and helps communicate both in-field and edge-of-field research and validation studies to Illinois 43,000 soybean farmers. She also helps lead the demonstration and adoption of conservation agriculture practices and raises awareness of best management and continuous improvement practices for conservation agriculture in Illinois. Stephanie has 23 years of experience that consists of agronomy, conservation, horticulture, plant diagnostics, and education. She has her bachelor’s in crop science and master’s in plant pathology from the University of Illinois. Stephanie is a Certified Crop Advisor and was named the 2018 Illinois Certified Crop Adviser Master Soybean Advisor. She also has experience with corn and soybean pathology research, crop scouting, soil testing, as well as crop consulting. Previously, she utilized her diagnostic training and collaborated with University of Illinois departmental Extension Specialists to diagnose plant health problems and prepare written responses describing the diagnosis and management recommendations as the University of Illinois Plant Clinic.