December 26, 2007

US agronomist leads effort to boost soy yields

An agronomist from the Iowa State University (ISU) is spearheading efforts by six land-grant universities to improve soy yields in the US.

ISU Agronomist Palle Pedersen said most high-end soy varieties today have the potential to yield a hundred bushels to the acre but few farmers do not get the desired yields because they give up "easy bushels" through poor agronomic practices.

Many agricultural producers focus on genetics to the exclusion of all other factors in growing soy. He said genetics and agronomic decisions play just as important a role as genetics in maximising soy yields.

Pederson said a research project he conducted on behalf of the Iowa Soy Association has already demonstrated that fact that Iowa soy growers are literally leaving hundreds of millions of dollars in yield on the table.

He noted that high-yield projects showed that the state is losing US$300 million in Iowa because it has not optimised planting date, row spacing and genetics.

The new three-year study will focus on the relationship between genetics, agronomics and yield with an eye toward developing best agronomic practices and passing those on to soy farmers. Other institutions taking part in the study, funded by the United Soybean Board, include the University of Minnesota, Michigan State University, the University of Arkansas, the University of Kentucky and Louisiana State University.