Final call to register for Michigan Soybean Committee’s on-farm research update meetings in January

Michigan Soybean Committee and MSU Extension will be hosting on-farm soybean research update meetings in a town near you—register soon to guarantee your seat and a free lunch.

Two farmers shake hands in a soybean field.
Photo by iStock

Inquiring minds want to know…

  • Soybean seeding rate continues to be a very important topic for farmers according to our surveys. Trials were conducted by Michigan Soybean Committee and Michigan State University Extension over seven years at 66 locations from 2015 to 2021, and 11 additional sites were included in 2024. What seeding rates produced the highest yields, and which were most profitable?
  • Early planting date had been studied in on-farm trials from 2019 to 2023 at 14 locations, but in 2024 we included two maturity groups at two planting dates. Did a longer maturity group variety do better at either planting date?
  • Yield was significantly higher at eight of 10 locations in 2023 when Delaro Complete was applied at R3 for a “plant health” effect. The same trial was conducted at 11 locations in 2024—did we find the same yield differences?

Come and find out the answers to these and other agronomic research questions at the Michigan Soybean On-Farm Research Update meetings coming to a location near you!

Michigan Soybean Committee and Michigan State University Extension invite soybean growers and agribusinesses to attend regional meetings in January 2025 to hear results of the 2024 soybean on-farm research projects. Participants will learn about historical climate trends that are impacting our growing season in Michigan. They’ll also have an opportunity to provide input into the research projects to be conducted in 2025. Time will be available for questions and discussion.

When and where

January 3 (Southeast Michigan): Lenawee Christian Center Auditorium, 111 Wolf Creek Hwy, Adrian, MI 49221 (part of the Center for Excellence Crop Day)
January 9 (Central Michigan): AgroLiquid, 3055 M-21, St. Johns, MI 48879
January 14 (Bay region): Uptown North Main, 975 N Main St., Frankenmuth, Michigan 48734
January 15 (Thumb region): Beagio's Pizza, 5795 Sanilac Rd., Kingston, MI 48741
January 21 (Southwest Michigan): GreenMark Equipment, 16700 Heimbach Rd., Three Rivers, MI 49093
January 22 (West Michigan): Zeeland Farm Services Inc., 2525 84th Ave., Zeeland, MI 49464

Time

All programs begin with registration at 9 a.m., except Adrian (Jan. 3) which will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Agenda

The following agenda is for all locations except for Adrian, which will follow the Center for Excellence Crop Day agenda.

9:00 a.m. Registration and coffee
9:15 a.m. Soybean Checkoff and Association Updates — Local Michigan Soybean Committee/Association board members
9:30 a.m. 2024 Soybean On-farm Research Trial Results — Eric Anderson, MSU Extension Soybean Educator
10:40 a.m. Break
11:00 a.m. Climate Trends and Agricultural Impacts in the Great Lakes Region — Jeff Andresen, MSU Climatologist
11:45 a.m. Identify Potential 2025 Research Projects and Discussion — Mark Seamon and Eric Anderson
12:15 p.m. Complimentary lunch (courtesy of the Michigan Soybean Committee)
1:00 p.m. Credits, evaluation and adjourn

Cost and registration

Through farmer investments in the soybean checkoff, Michigan Soybean Committee is pleased to partner with MSU Extension and cover all meeting costs. However, pre-registration is requested to ensure an accurate count for lunch and materials. You can register online by clicking the link below. For help registering for any of the regional meetings, call the St. Joseph County Extension office at 269-467-5511. Please pre-register seven days prior to the date for each location.

Register for Michigan Soybean On-Farm Research Update Meetings

Credits

This program has been approved for two pesticide applicator recertification credits. Restricted use pesticide (RUP) credits in Adrian will be offered by the Center for Excellence.

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