Expanding on-farm research with crop advisors

March 20, 2025 | Kriss Nelson

The Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) Research Center for Farming Innovation (RCFI) conducts farmer-led research from spring seeding trials to fall residue management, focusing on agronomy, conservation and analytics to help soybean farmers improve their operations. 

To help grow farmer participation, RCFI seeks to partner with crop consultants across the state for replicated strip trial work.

“These partnerships will allow ISA to increase the number of research projects and broaden options available to Iowa soybean farmers and allow crop advisors to serve their clientele better while collaborating with us,” says Dr. Alexander Litvin, ISA research agronomy lead.

There are two levels of partnerships available:

• Matchmaker

Great for crop advisors or fellow farmers. Matchmakers will help ISA enroll farmers for research opportunities in this partnership. Successful execution is defined as identifying and enrolling a farmer for a trial that ultimately implements and completes a trial. Compensation is based on matchmaking per confirmed enrollment in research projects at the rate of $150 per farmer.

• Agronomy

Many research projects require multiple levels of scouting and sampling to be conducted throughout the growing season. Requirements include following standard operating procedures on data collection where appropriate, collecting management data, spatial files, and liaising with the farmer on project specifics. Compensation is $500 per site.

“ISA’s trial work centers on value-added practices to cut operational costs and boost return on investment. Farmers can explore several options that cater to their interests,” says Litvin. “Whether you are a farmer or an agronomist, this partnership is an opportunity to help ISA explore and conduct more trials to help all Iowa farmers. This is going to help us expand our research.”

For more information, contact Litvin at alitivn@iasoybeans.com or 515-334-1044.

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