Updated November 6, 2017:
The Mid-South Soybean Board met twice (January 2017 in Baton Rouge in conjunction with the Conservation Tillage Conference) and in August at Stoneville, Mississippi. The board approved funding for continuing projects in January (listed 1-3).
1.”Effects of the Introduction of Feed Grains into Mid-South Soybean Production Systems” – B. Golden (PI). Dr. Golden and his research colleagues in the other Mid-South states are beginning the 4th year of this long-term rotation project. MSSB is pleased to report that they received $42000 in funding from the United Sorghum Check-Off (USCP) to join with the USB and the MSSB funding of this project. UPDATE GIVEN AND PROJECT FUNDED BY MSSB
2. “Enhanced Pest Control Systems for Mid-South Soybean Production” – Trey Price (PI) This project consists of a team of Plant Pathologists, Entomologists and soybean Plant Breeders working to address pest situations, some of which are rather unique to mid-south soybean region and others that could potentially impact the mid-west soybean production region. Efforts to establish and evaluate soybean lines within a demonstration perspective have been discussed and seed supplies for soybean stinkbug tolerance lines are too be planted in Central American in January 2016 to bulk up supplies for 2016 demonstrations in the Mid-South. UPDATE GIVEN AND PROJECT FUNDED BY MSSB
3. “Irrigation Water Management for Southern Region Soybean Growers” - J. Krutz and C. Henry (PI’s) –
Henry updated the MSSB on the irrigation survey that had been completed during the fall of 2016. The survey was extensive and needs data analysis and release quickly to be relevant. Researchers submitted a request for funding for $86,200 to cover the cost of this analysis. The MSSB funded the project request for $38803 (amount remaining from previous project). Project state was delayed due and extension has been granted until September 30, 2018.
4. “SOYRISK”–Dr. Michael Popp (PI) A one year new proposal to MSSB to develop an additional decision-aid tool entitled “SOYRISK”. This additional decision-aid tool will enable MId-South soybean producers to better analyze risk and return to soybean maturity group and planting date choices in the region. This producer oriented deliverable tool will be developed utilizing the date obtained from the recently completed project entitled “Effect of Planting Date, Latitude, and Environmental Factors on Choice of Maturity Group in Mid-South Soybean Production”- L. Purcell (PI) that was jointly funded by the MSSB and USB. The MSSB approved funding for this at the January 2016 meeting. Dr. Popp has requested and been granted a no cost extension to complete the project. FINAL PROJECT SUBMITTED IN WRITING AND POPP IS AVAILABLE TO PRESENT THE SOYRISK MODULE TO GROUPS BUT NEEDS TRAVEL FUNDS.
At the August meeting the directors agreed to ask their state QSSB’s for funding for a regional flood tolerance project under the oversight of Dr. Pengyin Chen. He has submitted a proposal and the states are looking at funding.
We also hired Dr. Grover Shannon as our research coordinator. Dr. Shannon is well respected in the soybean industry and has been busy contacting researchers about future projects and reviewing current projects.
Did this project meet the intended Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)? List each KPI and describe progress made (or not made) toward addressing it, including metrics where appropriate.
Key Performance Indicators:
1. Utilize regional technical meetings/conferences to researchers, Extension specialists and other stakeholders regarding soybean production research supported and developed by the Mid-South Soybean Board. Goal of 3 for 2017. MSSB presented at the Tri-State Soybean Meeting in January. Research coordinator has spoken to Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board and been involved in several research conferences. Primary researchers and subcontractors provide information at state producer meetings.
2. Evaluate the adoption of research findings that have or are being adopted by farmers in the region by surveying Extension Soybean specialists, farm advisors and farmers throughout the Mid-South. The 2 major projects are ongoing and haven’t published any recommendations based on research. Maybe in 3 years – benefits of rotation and breeding program on soybean pests (disease & insects) will be helpful.
3. Conduct at least 1 strategic planning session with the MSSB during FY 2017 to evaluate both current and planned research efforts with specific attention to redundancy within the five-member states by utilizing the USB National Research Project (electronic database that compiles all research conducted within the five-member states). This discussion occurs at all our board meetings. MSSB directors take information back to their state QSSB’s to avoid the redundancy.
4. Board members identify and list the key research issues that would benefit from a regional research effort, develop research objectives and identify research teams to address the objective. Dr. Shannon led a discussion in current research project and potential projects at the August meeting.
5. Determine if MSSB website receives at least 15 -20 visits per month regarding research projects and research findings informing all stakeholders of recent soybean research findings and developing management programs. Data on the website indicates 15 visitors a week.
6. Soybean production research supported and developed by the Mid-South Soybean Board is coordinated among public researchers and utilized by farmers in the participating states/QSSBs to improve soybean yield through improved production and crop protection practices. At least 5 farmers will indicate a willingness to implement new management practices. No published recommendations from ongoing research to adopt at this time.
7. At least three public research institutions are actively involved in three soybean research projects of regional importance at all times. The University of Arkansas, Mississippi State, Texas A & M, Louisiana State University and University of Missouri are all involved in the research projects.
Expected Outputs/Deliverables - List each deliverable identified in the project, indicate whether or not it was supplied and if not supplied, please provide an explanation as to why.
1. Improve recognition by the farmers and associated QSSBs from across the Mid-South regarding the significance of the research projects and the contributions these projects have and are making to increased productivity and improved sustainability as a result of this check-off funded research. We continue to have a current website with research reports and Dr. Shannon is available to speak to conferences and groups.
2. Utilize presentations at both farmer/agri-business meetings by MSSB funded researchers crediting MSSB, USB, USCP and all participating QSSB’s for funding. Increased visits with detailed analytics of the website as a sign of increased value to producers, consumers and industry. Researchers provide research updates at board meetings and to producer meetings in participating states. Website provides number of pages visited each week.
3. Enhance the regional interaction between MSSB, USB and participating QSSB directors and appropriate research and Extension specialist(s) discussing pertinent regional soybean industry wide issues and potential solutions. Dr. Shannon is available to attend QSSB meetings and has participated in USB research conferences to share information about MSSB.
4. Inform cooperating organizations (USB, USCP and appropriate QSSBs) of progress by utilizing reports (quarterly USB, etc.). Quarterly reports are posted on the website.
Describe any unforeseen events or circumstances that may have affected project timeline, costs, or deliverables (if applicable.)
Dr. Shannon did not join the group until March so we were without a research coordinator from October 1-February 28.
What, if any, follow-up steps are required to capture benefits for all US soybean farmers? Describe in a few sentences how the results of this project will be or should be used.
MSSB & research coordinator need to continue to work with local universities regarding coordinated research and sharing of information.