Innovation to Profit meeting

(Photo: Iowa Soybean Association/Joclyn Bushman)

Innovation to Profit Series in Sheffield and Storm Lake

February 6, 2025 | Kriss Nelson

This month, the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) kicks off their 2025 series of Innovation to Profit meetings. Held in four locations throughout the state, each meeting will be designed to provide accurate, insightful information to Iowa’s soybean farmers to help them increase profitability and productivity.

“While we will discuss research outcomes on a variety of different topics including nutrient inputs and how to use cover crops for better productivity, each one of the events will feature a farmer panel,” says Alex Litvin, ISA research agronomy lead. “They can discuss their trial experiences, the impact they had and how they are incorporating those practices the previously researched.

Northeast Iowa

The northeast Iowa Innovation to Profit meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 18 from 9:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Ridge Stone Golf Club, 7 Brickyard Rd. in Sheffield.

In addition to a farmer panel, presentations for this meeting will include:

  • “Do Inputs Increase Profits?” presented by ISA Research Agronomists Shane Beck and Alex Schaffer.
  • “Benefits of Edge of Field Practices to Farmers by ISA Senior Conservation Services Manager Brandon Iddings.
  • “Financial Opportunities in Conservation,” by Even Brehm ISA Conservation Agronomist.

With various programs that help offset a portion of the cost of planting cover crops, ISA’s Conservation Agronomist network is set to guide farmers on which programs fit their operation.

Brehm will highlight cost-share opportunities at the state, federal and private levels.

“Utilizing cost share programs to get started is an important step to adopting conservation practices,” he says. “Dollars are out there to help offset these costs through various programs. At ISA, it is our responsibility and passion to assist farmers in finding these programs at the private level and government level. The long-term goal is to see these practices reduce costs as they can enhance soil health, providing long-term benefits for the future.”

For more information or to RSVP for this meeting, contact Julia Brenizer, ISA producer services coordinator at jbrenzier@iasoybeans.com or 815-878-5622.

Northwest Iowa

The northwest Iowa Innovation to Profit meeting will be held on Thursday, Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at Siebens Forum, Buena Vista University, 610 W. 4th St., in Storm Lake.

Attendees will gain insight at this Innovation to Profit meeting on:

  • “Opportunities in Water Conservation” presented by ISA’s Conservation Services Manager, Alex Buseman.
  • “Optimizing your Seeding Rate” with Alex Litvin, ISA research agronomy lead.
  • “Blended Cover Crop Approach for soybean and corn” presented by Drew Clemmensen, ISA research agronomist.
  • “Cover Crop Application Methods: Which is Right for Me?” presented by Ryan Johnson, ISA conservation agronomist.

Johnson will share information from his experience, other farmers, research and cover crop tours held in his region of northwest Iowa to explain the advantages and disadvantages of cover crop application methods.

“We will discuss finding the best application method to set you up for the best success that matches your cover crop goals, whether for erosion control, soil health, grazing or weed suppression,” he says.

For more information or to RSVP for this meeting, contact Paige Whitney, ISA producer services coordinator at pwhitney@iasoybeans.com or 712-371-9901.

Upcoming Innovation to Profit meetings and dates

Southwest Iowa

The Innovation to Profit meeting in southwest Iowa will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., at the Afton Community Center, 240 N Douglas St., in Afton.

For more information or to RSVP for this meeting by Feb. 14, contact Mickayla Jordan at mjordan@iasoybeans.com or 641-891-2708.

Southeast Iowa

The southeast Iowa Innovation to Profit meeting will be held Thursday, Feb. 27, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Dallmeyer Hall - Lower Level, Washington County Fairgrounds, 611 Hwy. 1 South in Washington.

For more information or to RSVP for this meeting by Feb. 14, contact Kennady Henry at khenry@iasoybeans.com or 515-491-3539.

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