New Website Keeps Farmers in North Central Region Updated on Soybean Research Results
Staying on top of all the latest ag technology and research can be overwhelming. That’s why the North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP) has established the Soybean Research & Information Initiative (SRII), formerly the Plant Health Initiative (PHI), to continually provide information and news about soybean pests, diseases and agronomics.
“PHI was originally developed as a communications vehicle for soybean research being done across the North Central region,” said Ed Anderson, senior director of supply and production systems at the Iowa Soybean Association. “You can do the greatest research in the world, but if you have no way of getting it into the hands of those who will benefit from it, then its impact is minimal.”
Over the years, NCSRP has revised its strategic plan. While PHI focused only on soybean diseases and insects, SRII focuses on those yield robbers plus herbicide-resistant-weed management, basic and applied research results and agronomics to optimize soybean production.
With over 80 percent of the soybeans grown in North America coming from the North Central Region, Anderson says SRII aims to collect all the soybean-production information that will benefit farmers in the region in one easy-to-find spot.
“This vehicle is not in competition with other research and communication programs,” he explained. “We just want to provide a central location for all the soybeanresearch being done by NCSRP-funded researchers and their collaborators that is accurate and updated so that if anyone needs it, they’ll always have a place to go.”
“Hopefully, SRII will become a one-stop shop for everyone interested in soybeans and soybean-production issues.”
Established in 1992, the NCSRP includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The mission of the NCSRP is to maximize producer returns by coordinating regional research efforts, minimizing duplication of research and assuring that regional research projects target common problems faced by North Central soybean farmers.
Source : unitedsoybean.org