The NCSRP evaluates projects that have a regional impact and involve both basic and applied research. The QSSBs
contribute to the funding pool and studies are decided upon by the farmer board.

•To identify and solve breeding challenges, manage disease and insect pest issues, and optimize management and production to impact soybean yield and quality.
•To promote collaborative research and prevent unnecessary duplication of research through leadership that facilitates and coordinates multi-state, cross-functional research teams that identify unique short- and long-term research objectives providing solutions to problems facing soybean production and quickly communicating results from NCSRP-funded research to soybean producers.
•Leverage and maximize return on member-state research dollars with funds from other states,the United Soybean Board, federal funding agencies and private companies.

o Soybean yield and quality enhancement through genetic improvement and biotic and abiotic stress mitigation for the soybean maturity groups 0 – IV.
o Soybean production practices that will increase yield and profitability in an environmentally sustainable manner, respond to the market’s needs for high compositional quality, and address issues specific to the North Central Region.

Updated April 27, 2021:
The North Central Soybean Research Program, a collaboration of 13 state soybean organizations, invests soybean checkoff funds to improve yields and profitability via university research and extension. Collaborative soybean research objectives and priorities include:

1. Soybean yield and quality enhancement through genetic improvement and biotic and abiotic stress mitigation for soybean maturity groups 0-IV, clearly focused on the North Central region.
• Classical and molecular soybean breeding efforts that will enhance yield potential and yield stability.
• Research that addresses the control of insects and diseases (defensive traits) with consistent or potentially significant economic impacts.
• Research that addresses weed resistance to herbicides for species of common occurrence and threat.
• Research that addresses soybean response to water, nutrients, soil, and environmental conditions.

2. Soybean production practices that will increase yield, profitability, and environmental stewardship issues, specific to the North Central region.
• Soybean–corn rotations
• Plant populations, row spacing, and input management
• Water quality and watershed planning
• Cover crops and other conservation agronomy
• Soybean production sustainability and life cycle assessment.

NCSRP serves as a bridge between state and national soybean organizations and will be the recognized leader in funding and communicating basic and applied soybean research programs that are highly collaborative and uniquely appropriate in addressing soybean production, profitability and environmental sustainability for growers across the North Central region.

The NCSRP evaluates projects that have a regional impact and involve both basic and applied research. The qualified
state soybean boards (QSSBs) contribute to the funding pool and studies are decided upon by the NCSRP farmer board. District 1 MSMC Director Cecil Demott has provided extraordinary service on the NCSRP board. Cecil is the immediate past President of the NCSRP and his leadership will be sorely missed when he terms off the MSMC board.

The research and outreach work accomplished by this program will positively impact, complement and extend many of the member states’ goals and objectives through enhanced and accelerated state and regional breeding, production and environmental programs, soybean management and cropping systems, best management practices, breeding for increased yield potential and quality, and basic and applied studies directed at crop protection and pest management of diseases, insects, abiotic stressors and weeds.