Justification
Online and easy-to-access digital platform with soybean production information
is needed to communicate research-based, up-to-date information to farmers.
Comparision of yield and profitability of controlled traffic farming (CTF) to
standard practices is needed. Multi-year data is needed for rotational systems
research. Little research has been conducted on biological seed treatments.
Commonly-used varieties need to be included in soybean variety tests. It is
important to understand how environment affects protein & oil levels of Virginia
varieties. An online variety selection data base would improve grower’s ability to
select varieties for their operation. Active involvement with the VSB and VSA is
necessary.
Goal and Objectives
The overall goal of the soybean agronomy project is to develop and deliver site-specific practices that sustain profitability for Virginia soybean farmers.
Objectives are
1. Develop a new online platform for publications, fact sheets, presentations,
videos, podcasts, and/or social networks.
2. Compare plant growth (via NDVI) and historical yields of trafficked and un-trafficked (CTF) fields.
3. Maintain a long-term soybean rotation experiment comparing yield and
profitability by completing a 6th year of research.
4. Determine yield response of several biological seed treatments with second-year testing in a 2-year multi-state project.
5. Include 10 to 15 farmer-suggested soybean varieties not entered by seed
companies to the soybean variety testing program.
6. Determine protein and oil content of varieties in variety tests.
7. Work with a national team of University researchers to develop a new online
soybean variety testing database.
8. Assist others in VSB-funded research with planting, data collection, and/or
harvest.
9. Attend relevant local and national professional meetings.
10. Support the mission of the Virginia Soybean Board and Virginia Soybean
Association by attending and assisting with VSB and Virginia Soybean
Association meetings and activities.
Expected Outcomes Easy and rapid access to production information and
learning opportunities, information for implementation of controlled traffic
farming, long-term effects of soybean rotational systems, profitability of
biological seed treatments, soybean variety performance data under variable
environments. The Virginia Soybean Board and Virginia Soybean Association will
continue to provide valuable benefits to soybean farmers.
Deliverables Soybean production platform. Experiments completed and results
reported to the VSB. Knowledge gained will be summarized, published in the
appropriate research or extension journals and shared with the soybean
community.
Estimated Worth Trend-line soybean yield in Virginia is approximately 42
bushels/acre, resulting in a 5-year annual value of $265 million on 600,000 acres.
Assuming only a 1% gain in net profit from this program’s efforts, over $2.65
million could be added annually to the value of Virginia’s soybean crop.