URBANDALE, Iowa - Iowa soybean producers gathered at Iowa State University on February 12 to celebrate their 35-year partnership with the university. The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) has partnered with Iowa State University (ISU) researchers since 1972 to address specific production challenges that have limited soybean yield and producer profitability.

“Because of this partnership, average soybean yield has increased 34 percent since the early 1980s due in part to improved production practices and disease and insect management recommendations developed and delivered by ISU researchers and Extension,” says ISA President Ray Gaesser.

Iowa soybean producers, through the soybean checkoff, pledged their intent to build this historic partnership when Gaesser presented ISU Vice President and Provost Betsy Hoffman with a check for $1,865,592. This represents the Iowa Soybean Association’s 2007 contribution to ISU research. This brings ISA’s total contribution for the past 35 years to $33,111,343.

In addition, the Iowa Soybean Association announced a new Iowa Soybean Association scholarship for the Iowa State University College of Agriculture named in honor of Dr. John Pesek.

Dr. Pesek is a Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor of Agriculture in the Department of Agronomy at Iowa State. He is an internationally renowned soil scientist who has received numerous national and international honors for his work and his service to agriculture.

He joined the ISU faculty in 1950. For 42 years, he served actively in many leadership capacities, including head of the agronomy department from 1964 to 1981 and interim dean of the College of Agriculture from 1987 to 1988. He retired in 1992.

The Iowa Soybean Association’s John Pesek Agriculture Scholarship will annually benefit a student studying in the College of Agriculture at Iowa State University. This scholarship is one of several that the Iowa Soybean Association gives each year. This year, the association and generous donors are awarding $16,000 in scholarships -- all for students who enter an agricultural field. The Iowa Soybean Association is proud to help prepare the next generation of agricultural professionals.

In addition to the presentations, the soybean producers met with ISU researchers to discuss ongoing soybean research and possible future research opportunities.