In October 2020, Drs. Vann, Naeve, and Conley were funded by USB to facilitate collaborative efforts of Extension soybean specialists across the U.S. This USB project brings together soybean Extension personnel from diverse U.S. regions who will collaboratively investigate BMP’s and subsequently disseminate information using diverse outreach strategies. The USB funding specifically supports bi-annual meetings where high-quality information will be generated (i.e., Extension publications, social media releases, videos). This collaborative group will sustain the goals of this project by leveraging QSSB funding to support localized research efforts that will be integral to providing soybean farmers with the tools and information they need to continue increasing their quality and efficiency, ultimately allowing us to develop and deliver BMP’s on a national scale. As part of the USB contract, multistate collaborative research trials are being planned across the U.S. Because the USB grant does not cover the costs of these trails, this proposal aims to seek funding allowing Iowa State University to participate fully.

Develop and distribute up-to-date, high-quality information to soybean farmers across the U.S. on emerging best management practices (BMP’s) through a national partnership.

It is planned to participate in the collaborative USB project and conduct one or two trials as decided upon by the collaboration. The trial(s) will be conducted at the Ag Engineering and Agronomy Research Farm near Boone, IA and Northwest Research and Demonstration Farm near Sutherland, IA.

The economic impact and significance of the outcomes derived from this study will lead to an increased ability for farmers and industry advisors to make better in-season decisions for soybean management. Furthermore, agronomists would be able to learn which soybean growing environments respond to individual management practices to be able to better advise farmers on new or evolving management practices. Overall, this study will lead to continued collaboration between soybean extension specialists from across the U.S., leading to developed of best management practices for resilient productivity and increased profitability in an ever-competitive global market.