On-farm trial summaries available on ISA website

July 11, 2024 | Kriss Nelson

The Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) Research Center for Farming Innovation (RCFI) is making a synopsis of research trials available through a series of current research insights.

Cross-site summaries from on-farm research trials in 2023 are now available on the ISA’s website.

“These cross-site summaries are being shared as a result of feedback from farmers who want our research results collected from on-farm research more accessible and easier to interpret,” says Matt Carroll, ISA analytics and insights lead.

The cross-site summaries are straightforward, providing insights gained from the trials, including differences in yield and emphasizing return on investment. This helps farmers better understand the reliability of a product or practice, enabling them to make informed decisions about purchases and implementation on their farms.

“We are sharing what we think our farmers will care about most,” says Carroll. “We have made it quick and easy to find results. If users choose to explore further, additional information is also available to them.”

Research Insights

Currently, RCFI has made four current research insights available from 2023 that summarize results from trials varying from single and multiple years from across the state, including:

2023 Fungicide Comparison

The trial results showed the fungicides used did not generate a positive return on investment for farmers. This could be attributed to the dry weather conditions. The RCFI team is looking forward to obtaining results from the 2024 cropping year. With the weather conditions of this season, farmers are likely to see more disease pressure than in 2023.

2023 iNvigorate Biological Comparison

“iNvigorate” biologicals are used in corn to make nitrogen in the soil more available to the plant. Replicated strip trials were made throughout the field, with farmers reducing their nitrogen rates by 40 pounds per acre. There was no statistical evidence that using iNvigorate brought a yield increase. Dry conditions during the 2023 growing year could be attributed to some observed results.

2023 Seed Rate Decisions

The seeding rate trials include different planting populations and how they can affect yield and the economic return of seeding rates. In 2023, ISA evaluated 23 sites with target planting populations of 80,000, 110,000, 140,000, and 170,000 seeds per acre. Trials showed the greatest return on investment across the state at the 110,000 and 140,000 seeds per acre rates. ISA is conducting additional testing in 2024 that will help capture some of the variability in weather patterns observed between the two growing seasons.

2023 Source Biological Comparison

In this summary, researchers investigated the biological “Source” in soybeans. Source is used to make phosphorus and potassium more available in the soil for the soybean plant. The research found no statistical difference in yield between the treated and untreated areas.

In most locations tested, soil phosphorous and potassium levels were at or above the fertility requirements for soybeans. This likely had an impact on the results observed across the state.  

Coming soon

A summary of long-term cover crop trials for the 2023 cropping year and previous years will soon be available on the website.

Carroll expects to make the 2024 cropping year trial summaries available on the website by mid-January 2025.

“We encourage farmers to review these cross-site summaries and provide feedback,” says Carroll. “We are always working toward providing more information to our farmers, and we value any feedback they provide.”

You can email Carroll at mcarroll@iasoybeans.com.

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