Learn About the Latest Research at Dudley Smith Farm

Jan 13, 2026

By Amy Zepp

Stay informed on current agriculture practices and the latest research taking place at Dudley Smith Farm during the annual Winter Meeting. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the University of Illinois Extension Christian County Office located at 1120 N. Webster St. in Taylorville. A free lunch will be provided, and advance registration is required by Thursday, Feb. 5.

Topics this year include cattle production and profitability, cattle market outlook, Dudley Smith Research Farm updates, and a soil health producer panel. Find the full agenda, speakers, and registration at go.illinois.edu/DSFwinter26.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, contact Cassie O’Connell at coconne@illinois.edu or call 217-287-7246. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.

Source : illinois.edu

Video: Supplemental Nitrogen on Soybeans: Can Early Nitrogen Increase Yield?

Can supplemental nitrogen help soybeans reach higher yield potential? Technical Agronomist Tim Sickman walks through an ongoing trial at the Nutrien Innovation Farm in Owensboro, Kentucky, exploring whether a modest amount of nitrogen applied at planting can support higher-yielding soybean environments.

The trial compares 30 pounds of supplemental nitrogen across both 15- and 30-inch rows, along with treatments that include sulfur and micronutrients. Similar trials conducted in 2024 and 2025 delivered a six- to seven-bushel yield response, prompting the team to expand the research this season.

Early observations show that treated soybeans are slightly taller and averaging about two additional nodes on the main stem. These added nodes could create more opportunities for blooms and pods, but the true results will come at harvest when the team evaluates pod development, seed fill and final yield.

In This Video:

Why high-yield soybeans may need supplemental nitrogen

Results from the 2024 and 2025 trials

Nitrogen treatments in 15- and 30-inch rows

Fertilizer placement and application methods

Differences in plant height and node counts

Potential effects on pod development and yield