Innovation to Profit events under way this month

February 13, 2025 | Jeff Hutton

Increased profitability, production and networking.

Those are some of the outcomes participants can gain during the upcoming Innovation to Profit meetings in Afton and Washington later this month, sponsored by the Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) Research Center for Farming Innovation (RCFI).

Afton

From 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, the RCFI team will host an event in Afton at the Afton Community Center, 240 N. Douglas St. Click here to register.

“The upcoming Innovation to Profit meeting in Afton will provide farmers with research trial results that directly impact their operations,” says Mickayla Jordan, ISA marketing coordinator. “Throughout the meeting, the RCFI team be focusing on farmer profitability. Our goal is to share trial results and conservation cost-share opportunities specific to Southwest Iowa that will improve farmers' overall return on investment.

Jordan continues, “During times of tight margins, cutting any unnecessary expenses is a must. ISA Research Agronomist Mikaela Connelly will share research data showing how decreasing your soybean seeding rate could increase your revenue. Attendees will also explore how implementing conservation practices could help save precious topsoil, reduce operating costs and improve water quality on their farms. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and hear from fellow farmers about their experiences conducting on-farm research with ISA during the farmer panel.”

Agenda

10 a.m. - Registration

10:15 a.m. - Welcome

10:20 a.m. - Morning Sessions

Optimize Your Seeding Rate

Weighing seed purchases against yield potential is an important business consideration. The Research Center for Farming Innovation (RCFI) tests a range of seeding populations annually to evaluate their impact on soybean yield and return on investment under varying climate and soil conditions. These results provide valuable insights for improving seeding rate targets for maximum profitability. Mikaela Connelly, ISA research agronomist will lead the discussion.

Blended Cover Crop Approach for Soy and Corn

ISA is investigating the effects on nutrient sequestration, soil health, and crop performance through multi-species cover crop implementation and nitrogen inhibitors specific for either soy or corn. Initial results and discussion from the 2024 season. Alexander Litvin, Ph.D., ISA research agronomy lead, will commence the discussion.

11:30 a.m. - Selecting Blended Cover Crop Species

Further explore blended cover crop options with Saddle Butte Ag Cover Crop Seed’s TJ Kartes. Determine the factors to consider when selecting species for a blended cover crop program in soybean and corn production. Learn how different cover crops contribute to improved yield performance.

12 p.m. - Lunch

12:30 p.m. - Afternoon Sessions

Conservation Practice Economics

Breakdown of economic impacts of implementing conservation practices and potential opportunities to increase ROI with in-field conservation adoption. Joseph Wuebker, ISA conservation agronomist, will lead the discussion.

Conservation at the Field Edge, Simplifying Technical and Financial Assistance

RCFI assists farmers with implementing conservation practices on the edge of fields to provide wildlife habitat and improve water quality. A quick overview of practices and current funding sources to help get conservation on the farm while staying out of the field will be covered. Rob Davis, ISA watershed program manager, will lead the presentation.

1:30 p.m. - Farmer Panel

Hear first-hand from local farmers about their experiences and outcomes from various ISA research trials.

2 p.m. - Discussion

2:30 p.m. - Adjourn

Washington

Meanwhile, the RCFI team will travel to southeast Iowa for the Innovation to Profit event from 10 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 27 at Dallmeyer Hall- Lower Level at the Washington County Fairgrounds, 611 Highway 1 South, Washington. Click here to register.

"The Innovation to Profit series is an outlet for farmers to learn more about research and conservation project outcomes in their area. The RCFI team at ISA is excited to share the productivity and profitability benefits as a result of these research trials. In addition to the business aspect of the meetings, attendees can also expect the opportunity to network with other farmers in their area. We'd love to have you join us in Washington on Feb. 27!"

Agenda

10 a.m. - Registration

10:20 a.m. - Welcome

10:30 a.m. - Relay Cropping: Environmental Outcomes and Managing Risk for Profit

ISA has researched on-farm relay cropping in recent years. Learn more about 2024 results from ISA’s monthly field monitoring, soil and water quality projects, as well as ways to manage a relay crop system to mitigate agronomic risk and maximize profit. Alex Schaffer, ISA senior research agronomist will be the presenter.

11 a.m. - Additional Revenue and Savings from Conservation Practices

Conservation practices can reduce input costs and generate revenue. Join ISA to discuss ideal conservation scenarios, cover crops, reduced tillage, soil health and organic matter. Matt Swanson, ISA conservation agronomist will lead the discussion.

11:40 a.m. - Lunch

12:30 p.m. - NIR Manure Sensor Based Application

Exploration of manure application based on real-time fertility content, focusing on enabling more precise nutrient management. A conversation on the potential to reduce synthetic fertilizer inputs, increase crop yields and enhance water quality. Lucas De Bruin, ISA research agronomist will lead the discussion.

1 p.m. - Local Farmer Panel Examine their Experiences with ISA Research

Hear first-hand from local farmers about their experiences and outcomes from various ISA research trials.

1:45 p.m. - Benefits of Edge-of-Field Practices to Farmers

Managing the edge of your field can provide many benefits to your farm without sacrificing tillable land. The different edge-of-field practices, their value, and new opportunities in your area will be discussed along with potential funding and technical assistance options to implement these practices. Brandon Iddings, ISA senior conservation services manager, will address audience topics.

2:15 p.m. - Discussion

2:30 p.m. - Adjourn

For those interested, there are 2.0 hours of Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) credits available for attending any of the Innovation to Profit events. 

More opportunities

Also, two additional Innovation to Profit events are taking place next week in northeast and northwest Iowa:

Sheffield: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18 at Ridge Stone Golf Club, 7 Brickyard Road.

To register, click here.

For additional information or questions, contact Julia Brenizer at jbrenizer@iasoybeans.com

Storm Lake: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20 at Siebens Forum, Buena Vista University, 610 W. 4th St.

To register, click here.

For additional information or questions, contact Paige Whitney at pwhitney@iasoybeans.com

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