1. Southern Test management, field trials, and stem canker screen (Anne Gillen) a. Data and seed samples for composition analysis from seven 2023 trials at Stoneville, and data from the stem canker nursery were submitted in a timely fashion. All trials had significant dicamba damage. b. Seed quality for Stoneville was not evaluated due to an unfilled position. c. Data from 2023 Tests were received, processed, analyzed and final tables in Excel format were sent to collaborators in a timely fashion. Due to requests from breeders who need data for winter meetings a partial raw dataset was sent to only scientists on December 19th 2023. The draft analysis was sent Jan 8 -12, 2024. All data analysis tables were finalized and distributed by Feb 9, 2024. The final PDF Annual Report was sent in June and posted online. The hard copy was distributed in August 2024. d. The southern Missouri breeding program moved their 2024 trials to a new location to avoid dicamba vaporization and drift. Arkansas and Stoneville, MS reported damage in 2023 and 2024. Stoneville had just as much damage in 2024 as in 2023. Stem damage negatively affected the stem canker nursery. e. The Annual Meeting was held in St. Louis on Feb 13, 2024. f. Pedigree information from the 2023 tests was sent to Rex Nelson at Soybase.org for inclusion in the Soybean Parentage Database. g. All 2024 seed was distributed on time and the trials were planted. h. Seven 2024 tests were planted at Stoneville. All test have been harvested. i. We are waiting for 2024 data from collaborators. Datasheet templates have been sent. j. Stem canker testing at Stoneville, MS in 2024 was successful. k. The southern program hired a support scientist in July 2024 to manage the day-to-day operations of the SUST program. 2. Northern Test management, field trials, and Phytophthora screen (Guohong Cai) a. Data and seed samples for composition analysis from all 2023 Indiana trials, and data from the Phytophthora root rot screening were submitted in a timely fashion. b. Data were collected from collaborators. All the compiled rep data for agronomic characteristics and seed composition were analyzed. c. The report for 2023 Uniform Soybean Tests – Northern Region was completed, and an electronic version was sent to collaborators in early February 2024. Hard copies were printed in March 2024. d. A meeting was held on February 13th, 2024 during the Soybean Breeders Workshop to coordinate 2024 trials. e. All 2024 seeds were collected from collaborators, packaged, and distributed to collaborators on time. f. Field trials in three Indiana locations were planted in 2024. We are in the midst of harvesting these trials. g. We are waiting for 2024 data from collaborators. Data submission sheets were prepared and distributed to participants. h. Phytophthora root rot screening for 2024 tests is complete. i. We are working with Soybase.org to upload historic raw data into the database. 3. Nematode screening -The 2023 SCN RKN data were submitted in a timely fashion to the coordinators for the Southern test and the Northern test. Due to difficulties in recovering the SCN race 3 population, only race 2 and race 5 were reported for the Southern test. However, these are the two important races as race 3 is no longer prevalent in fields. 2024 screen data were submitted on September 16, 2024. All collaborators are finalizing the 2024 nematode screen data. (Dr. Scaboo, Dr. Stetina, Dr. Mitchum, and Dr. Li). 4. Seed composition analysis - 2023 protein and oil (Dr. Cermak) fatty acids (Dr. Lin), and sugars (Dr. Zhang) samples were processed in a timely fashion and the data were given to the coordinator for inclusion in the annual report. There was no sugar data required for the southern test. Waiting for 2024 samples.

Continued participation in the testing program by public breeders indicates the value and utility of the testing program. Public soybean breeders use this data to justify the release of lines to the public and state foundation seed programs, or license lines to seed companies that make the seed available to the farmers. The annual reports are distributed to public researchers, seed company scientists, the National Agriculture Library, the University of Arkansas Library, and Purdue University Library. Annual reports are available to the public online at an ARS website and can be found using Data.gov and Soybase.org. In the 2024 Southern Test 13 soybean breeders participated by entering lines and/ or growing tests. These soybean breeders and collaborators are located in nine states and represent three ARS locations and seven Universities. The nematology position at ARS, Jackson, TN was vacant this year so Dr. Sally Stetina, ARS, Stoneville, MS supervised the soybean cyst nematode screening. In the 2024 Northern Test 18 soybean breeders participated by entering lines and/or growing tests. These soybean breeders and collaborators are located in 10 states, two Canadian provinces and represent two ARS location, eleven Universities and three Canadian research organizations. Pedigree information for the entries in the tests was sent to Rex Nelson at Soybase.org for inclusion in the Soybean Parentage Database. This database is an ongoing project which makes pedigree information available online to everyone. It is very helpful for writing release notices, registration articles, choosing parents, and scientific research.