To help cover the start-up costs of cover crops, Farmers for Soil Health o ers financial assistance of up to $50/acre over a three-year period.
Exclusive Marketplace
Enrollment in Farmers for Soil Health provides access to an exclusive future marketplace connecting farmers to top-tier supply chain partners that are focused on sustainability.
Technical Advisor
Each state has dedicated on-theground technical advisors to provide research-based information and educational resources to aid in the transition of your field.
Executive Committee
President Suzanne Shirbroun, Farmersburg | D3
President-Elect
Brent Swart, Spencer | D1
Secretary
Tom Adam, Harper | D9
Treasurer
Jeff Frank, Lake View | D4
At-Large Director
Brent Renner, Klemme | D2
Board of Directors
Paul Kassel, Spencer | D1
April Hemmes, Hampton | D2
Sam Showalter, Hampton | D2
Rick Juchems, Plainfield | D3
Marty Danzer, Carroll | D4
Corey Goodhue, Carlisle | D5
Dave Struthers, Collins | D5
Robb Ewoldt, Davenport | D6
Dave Walton, Wilton | D6
Scot Bailey, Anita | D7
Lee Brooke, Clarinda | D7
Warren Bachman, Osceola | D8
Randy Miller, Lacona | D8
Pat Swanson, Ottumwa | D9
Tim Bardole, Rippey | At-Large
Aimee Bissell, Bedford | At-Large
Sharon Chism, Huxley | At-Large
American Soybean Association Board of Directors
Tom Adam, Harper
Steph Essick, Dickens
Morey Hill, Madrid
Randy Miller, Lacona
Pat Swanson, Ottumwa
Dave Walton, Wilton
United Soybean Board of Directors
Tim Bardole, Rippey
Robb Ewoldt, Davenport
April Hemmes, Hampton
Brent Renner, Klemme
Staff Credits
Bethany Baratta | Editor
Aaron Putze, APR | CO of Brand Mgmt and Engagement
Susan Langman | Creative Design Coordinator
Joclyn Bushman | Multimedia Specialist
Jeff Hutton | Senior Writer
Kriss Nelson | Staff Writer
Joseph Hopper | Communications Specialist
Brock Johnston | Public Relations Manager
FARMER FOCUSED | DRIVEN TO DELIVER
ISA VISION
We advance the long-term competitiveness of Iowa soybean farmers.
ISA MISSION
Driven to deliver opportunities for Iowa soybean farmers to thrive.
Iowa Soybean Review is published monthly by: Iowa Soybean Association 1255 SW Prairie Trail Parkway, Ankeny, Iowa 50023 (515) 251-8640 | iasoybeans.com E-mail: bbaratta@iasoybeans.com
For advertising information contact Bethany Baratta at (515) 334-1020 or bbaratta@iasoybeans.com
September 2024 | Vol. 37, No. 12
10
Grain Management
101
Understand your storage system to maximize soybean quality.
18
Fire Safety Starts With Soy
A new soy-based fire suppressant is helping to keep firefighters and communities safe.
20
The Case for Soil Sampling
How soil sampling reveals nutrient opportunities in the field.
24
Nitrogen Optimization
Farmer seeks to determine best nitrogen rate for her fields through ongoing trial.
On the cover:
Preparing for the fall harvest begins in the summer at Luke Niemann's farm near DeWitt. The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) farmer member says investing in grain management technology helps him protect his harvested grain by ensuring conditions are fit inside the bin. In this edition, read how other farmers are preparing for a safe, productive harvest.
Comments and statewide news articles should be sent to the above address. Advertising space reservations must be made two months preceding publication. In consideration of the acceptance of the advertisement, the agency and the advertiser must, in respect of the contents of the advertisement, indemnify and save the publisher harmless against any expense arising from claims or actions against the publisher because of the publication of the content of the advertisement.
Be a Somebody
IAaron Putze, APR ISA Chief Officer of Brand Management & Engagement aputze@iasoybeans.com
’m a homebody. My preference for home over hotels is the result of my childhood. The family farm near West Bend was the center of my universe for nearly 20 years. Home was my favorite place because Mom and Dad kept things simple. Within the four walls of our modest, one-story farmhouse were faith, love and routine. Homemade meals were enjoyed together as a family. There was trust and accountability. Sundays were for church, grilling and finding the best fishing holes in the nearby west fork of the Des Moines River.
Home on the farm offered, as the Eagles once crooned, “a peaceful, easy feeling.”
While love of home is a good thing, it doesn’t get you far in today’s global ag marketplace. More to the point, you better be a somebody than a homebody if you want to make sales.
Attending the U.S. Soybean Export Council’s Agricultural Cooperators Conference held in Colombia was a reminder of this. The country of 53 million is a prolific producer of chicken, eggs, pork, milk and fish, all consumers of soy. The U.S. accounts for 78% of Colombia’s soy imports, or nearly 1.9 million metric tons of the country’s 2.4 million metric tons (a combination of whole soybeans, soybean meal and soybean oil).
like DeWitt, Sigourney and Independence. Demand building begins with producing a soybean superior in quality to the competition, then defining its ROI based on customers’ needs. Finally, you need to show up at the buyer’s front door to promote its attributes and benefits with sincerity and conviction (and photos of family and the family farm!).
U.S. soybean farmers are no longer the world’s low-cost producer. Soy importers who buy on price will choose Brazil. Take China as an example. Once a home run for U.S. soybean farmers, the country with a declining and aging population will continue to use price (and politics) to shun U.S. soy in favor of South American suppliers.
The U.S. soybean industry isn’t taking this for granted. It took relationships to build this market and will take face time to maintain (and grow) it. For this reason, 20 U.S. soybean farmers (including three Iowa Soybean Association farmer directors), traveled to Colombia’s capital city of Bogotá earlier this year. They toured a feed mill, heard from Colombian ag industry leaders and networked with U.S. soy customers from throughout Central and South America.
Zoom meetings and telephone calls don’t build and sustain market preference for soybeans grown in places
But a new generation of leadership is taking the helm of farms and company management located in key soybean markets including Chile, Egypt, Venezuela, Mexico, Morocco and Indonesia, to name a few. They don’t subscribe to the, “We’ve always done it that way,” as justification for how they run their businesses. Instead, they gather information, meet with suppliers, review the numbers and gather around the board table to make business decisions. On quality, U.S. soy dominates. Greater protein and amino acid profiles accelerate animal performance, meaning more eggs laid and pigs, poultry and fish getting to market faster. That’s real ROI, and the new generation of buyers and feeders know it.
As one prominent soybean trade expert said during our time in Colombia, “Price plus quality” is what equals value. And there’s no better way to make this point (and sales) than by being a somebody.
Joining Dad aboard the Massey Ferguson combine, 1978.
Taking the Stage
It’s a pretty awesome experience when you see the look of pure confidence on a child’s face. Such was the case when our son, Luca, then 5 years old, took the stage to appear in a talent show at the local daycare in front of 85 friends and adoring guests.
Rural Route 2
Editor’s Note by Bethany Baratta bbaratta@iasoybeans.com
I won’t forget the look on his face seeing me in the crowd. I entered the daycare the moment his feet touched the multicolored rug, now positioned under a balloon arch and serving as a stage. Had one more red stoplight appeared on my 9.1 mile commute, I might have missed the entire thing. But there I was, in the back, leaning against the doorway (it was standing room only at this point). His eyes, wide. His smile, bright. His arms straight down and to his side. I didn’t know this little boy had this much courage, and I was a proud mom.
Of course, leading up to the talent show wasn’t all confidence. His stomach was in knots; he wanted to remove himself from the show. But here he was, poised and ready. And then the familiar intro music dropped. And there he was, belting out every word to Cole Swindell’s “She Had Me At Heads Carolina,” the tune serving as a cue in the background. But he didn’t need the accompaniment. It was a song we’d play routinely on the way to daycare, and he’d heard it in his dad’s truck as we cruised through town en route to soccer games and errands.
It got even better as his performance continued and his daycare friends joined in singing the chorus line, belting out “heads Carolina, tails California” at the top of their young lungs. When the show
was over, and he was eating his post-show sugar cookie with the brightest blue frosting I’d ever seen, I asked him how he got the courage to get on the stage.
“I just took a deep breath, and said, ‘you can do this!’” he said.
And my heart grew again.
Luca performing at the talent show.
As we prepared this month’s issue of the Iowa Soybean Review, I had you all in mind. Soon, you’ll be taking to the fields to see how this year’s crop really fared. Undoubtedly, some of you had your stomach in knots after flooding, hail and other challenges this spring and summer. But here you are. Your stage is waiting; I hope you take to it wide-eyed and encouraged that you made it through the season(s) of challenges. And if you’re so inclined, belt out “heads Carolina, tails California” at the top of your lungs.
®
The X-Treme® grain carts feature a patented front-folding design that angles the auger upward, outward and forward for the easiest unloading and greater visibility of the downspout. This direct line of sight to the downspout from the side window of the tractor cab eliminates the need to twist around during unloading, reducing fatigue and increasing unloading accuracy. Models are available in capacities from 1,500 to 1,000 bushels and include a standard four-way directional downspout, a 21" sump auger that unloads grain up to 650 bushels per minute, and your choice of highflotation single tires or tracked undercarriage.
Taking care of your grain while in storage can have a big impact on your profits
BY KRISS NELSON
Proper grain storage is the key component between harvest and taking the grain to market. Understanding your grain storage system and ensuring the grain remains in optimal condition are essential for maximizing profits.
“It amazes me how much time and money growers spend on inputs to plant and protect their crops throughout the growing season, only to put it into storage and hope it stays in good condition when it’s hauled to the elevator,” says Andy McGarry, strategic account manager with AGI, which provides grain management solutions to its customers. “The grain inside the bins is essentially the grower’s money so they need to protect it the best they can.”
Like other farmers, Luke Niemann, an Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) farmer member from DeWitt, faces the challenges of managing grain. He has invested in technology to ease his mind and ensure he delivers marketable grain to the elevator.
“Managing grain is not a fun thing. You are crawling up and down grain bins and not always in ideal conditions,” says Niemann. “Bin sites may not always be located right outside your front door, making them a bit more challenging to manage. The technology we have installed is paying off because I can simply open my app on my phone and feel confident my crops are in good condition.”
harvest.
“ I believe that employing technology with sensors to communicate with fans and redistribute moisture back into the soybeans will eventually prove to be cost effective.”
Luke Niemann, DeWitt farmer
Luke Niemann and Andy McGarry check grain storage and systems on the Niemann farm before
Pre-Harvest Bin Assessment Checklist
According to McGarry, inspecting your bins thoroughly before harvest is crucial.
Perform a maintenance inspection
Evaluate the structural integrity on the inside and outside of bins and top to bottom.
“Inspect the safety, structural integrity, capacity and overall physical condition of bins,” says McGarry. “Look for cracks and holes. Watch for pest infestations. Ensure electrical systems and control boxes run properly. Inspect and lubricate chains and belts and replace anything that shows wear and tear.”
Walk the yard and areas around the bins
Clear debris and weeds.
“This is especially important prior to harvest,” says McGarry. “When the fans turn on, you don’t want to introduce debris and particulate matter into the bin.”
Develop a fan plan
Farmers should ensure they have the right aeration system to meet their needs and if it is in working order or requires maintenance.
“Running fans costs too much energy and can also affect grain quality,” says McGarry. “Think beyond fan type and horsepower. Farmers need to consider bin size, weather, aeration strategies and grain conditioning goals.”
Consider cubic feet per minute per bushel (CFM)
The required airflow rate in CFM to dry soybeans depends on several factors, including the initial moisture content of the soybeans, the desired final moisture content, the depth of the soybean layer, ambient temperature and humidity, and the drying system used.
For grain drying, typical airflow rates range from one to five CFM per bushel, with lower rates for natural air drying and higher rates for heated air drying.
Here are some general guidelines:
Natural air drying: approximately one to two CFM per bushel. This method relies on ambient air temperature and humidity.
Heated air drying: approximately three to five CFM per bushel. This method uses heated air to increase drying efficiency.
“It’s important to consider that these are general guidelines, and specific requirements may vary based on conditions and drying equipment,” says McGarry. “Consulting with an agricultural extension service or a grain drying expert can provide more precise recommendations tailored to your situation.”
Evaluate handling systems
Grain handling systems play a role in how quickly you can load and unload grain during peak times like harvest.
“Check over your permanent and portable material handling equipment and accessories,” says McGarry. “Are they in good working order? Does an auger need to be replaced? Do you need a new accessory to move around the yard, reduce labor, increase capacity and transfer grain?”
Continued on Page 12.
Tips for Storing and Selling Soybeans
These tips will prevent spoilage, maintain quality, increase storage life and improve processing efficiency.
“Soybeans stored at the correct moisture content will meet market standards, making them easier to sell and potentially fetch higher prices,” says McGarry. “With the proper aeration systems in place, using a bin monitoring system where you can automate fans to only turn on at opportune times when the weather is right can also rehydrate your soybeans.”
Harvest at the correct moisture level
Harvest soybeans when they reach a moisture content of around 13-15%.
“This can be very tough because many growers have mentioned that they might start harvesting their beans at 12-13%, but by the end of the day, they’re at 9-10%,” says McGarry. “Attempting to harvest around the 1315% level will help reduce the risk of damage during handling and storage.”
Avoid overloading storage bins
Be cautious not to overload storage bins with highmoisture soybeans.
“Overloading can hinder proper airflow and lead to uneven drying and spoilage,” says McGarry.
Use proper drying techniques
Low-temperature drying methods for soybeans prevent heat damage and maintain quality.
“If harvested at a higher moisture level, soybeans should be dried to 13% for safe storage. Using natural air drying or low-temperature drying methods is best to avoid damaging the beans,” says McGarry.
Use proper aeration and ventilation
Use aeration fans to keep air moving through the soybean mass during storage.
“This helps equalize moisture levels and temperature, preventing hotspots and spoilage,” says McGarry.
Control temperature
The ideal temperature inside a bin is below 60°F.
“Keep your stored soybeans cool, especially in the spring and summer, to help maintain oil quality,” says McGarry. “Ventilate the top of the bin to reduce solar heating. Lower temperatures also slow the activity of pests and microorganisms, preserving the quality of the beans.”
Monitor storage conditions
Continuously monitor the temperature and moisture levels of stored soybeans.
“Regularly check the moisture content and inspect storage bins for signs of pests and mold. Frequent monitoring helps detect any changes that might require immediate attention,” says McGarry. “You can use a 10 foot probe to collect samples from different depths
in the bin to check the moisture content and inspect your grain.”
Handle soybeans gently
High-moisture soybeans are more susceptible to mechanical damage, so farmers should handle soybeans gently during harvest and post-harvest to minimize cracking and breakage.
Equalize moisture
Use an aeration fan to move moisture from wetter beans to dry beans and maintain uniform temperature and moisture levels throughout the bin.
“Proper ventilation prevents hot spots and moisture accumulation that could cause marketing losses from moisture variation,” says McGarry.
Storage is all about keeping grain in optimal condition by controlling moisture and temperature or achieving Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC).
EMC is the moisture content that grain will eventually reach when the air conditions around it remain constant for a period of time. For soybeans, EMC depends on the relative humidity, the air temperature and the grain type.
When drying soybeans in a bin, use fans to circulate dry air through the grain until the moisture content of the soybeans matches the EMC of the air. For example, at a relative humidity of 60–70%, air can dry soybeans to a moisture content of 13–14%. However, if the EMC is higher than the actual moisture content of the soybeans, the beans can become wetter.
On your farm?
Could your grain management system benefit from a digital sensor system that evaluates temperature and moisture conditions inside the bin?
“In-bin automation allows farmers to set targets, automate fans and condition grain during peak times when atmospheric conditions are right to reach goals,” says McGarry.
Digital sensors — which can retrofit to any bin — report grain conditions throughout the bin and alert farmers to hot spots or emerging quality issues.
“I believe that employing technology with sensors to communicate with fans and redistribute moisture back into the soybeans will eventually prove cost effective,” says Niemann. “We might not always harvest soybeans under the best conditions during harvest. In recent years, they have been coming out dry. But our main goal is collecting and storing the crop in the bin at 13%. It will be beneficial if I can reintroduce some moisture into the beans while being confident about it by using monitoring systems in the bins.”
Continued on Page 14.
ISA Farmer Member Luke Niemann tests stored soybeans on his farm.
An app connected to Niemann’s AGI system shows real-time bin conditions.
Tips for Harvesting Quality Soybeans
Shane Beck, Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) research agronomist, offers these three tips for setting your combine up for a successful soybean harvest.
1. Match reel speed to ground speed
Ensure the combine’s reel is not spinning too fast and hitting the soybeans. This could cause the soybeans to shatter and hit the ground before they enter the combine. However, you want to be sure you have it going fast enough so it is feeding the soybeans into the head and not just cutting them off, piling soybean up onto the head and not feeding them through.
2. Rotary or cylinder speed
Increase the speed of your rotary or cylinder until you see split soybeans in your grain tank. Once you see those split soybeans, slow down, but not enough that the combine is not threshing the soybeans completely.
Note this speed will change throughout the day, depending on the moisture of the soybeans. As soybeans
dry, they could explode out of the pod before you can get them into the combine head.
Continue to monitor the harvested soybeans. If you find too many splits or foreign material in the grain tank, adjust your speed. It may take time to find that balance.
Check behind the combine to ensure you are not throwing too many soybeans out the back of the combine.
Shane Beck, ISA research agronomist
Iowa soybean farmers produced 573 million bushels in 2023.
3. Calibrate monitors and sensors
Work with your precision equipment dealer to make sure your precision equipment inside the combine is operating correctly. You can also use scale tickets to help calibrate your yield monitor.
It is also wise to double-check that your moisture sensor is working. You can do this by comparing your findings to a sample taken into the local coop.
Moisture is money
With an ideal soybean moisture at 13%, Tom Adam, ISA board secretary and farmer from Keokuk says he is mindful of moisture content while harvesting to ensure he is delivering a high-quality soybean to market.
“Discounts can be very expensive at the elevator, and you don’t want to give away a lot of yield from harvesting a dry or too wet soybean,” says Adam, adding on a hot and windy day he has seen soybeans dropping in moisture nearly 5% in one day.
Green stem
In the past few years, Adam says he has become more aware of Green Stem Disorder (GSD) in soybeans.
According to the Soybean Research and Information Network, GSD is a disorder in which stems remain green and moist well past the point when pods and seeds are fully ripe and dry.
“In recent years I have had a lot of green stems in my soybeans at harvest,” says Adam. “The green fodder is harder to get through the combine.”
GSD complicates soybean harvest by significantly increasing the difficulty in cutting the affected plants. As a result, combine operators often must reduce ground speed and increase engine power, resulting in poor fuel efficiency and increased harvest time. It also increases wear and tear on combines. Harvest delays also increase the chances of lodging, shattering and seed decay that can reduce grain yield and quality.
Factors linked to GSD include stink bug feeding, late herbicide application, fungicide application, soybean infection, and late planting and/or emergence.
“There may be a lot of leaves and petioles on the bottom of the soybean plants, but the soybeans are measuring at optimal soybean moisture levels,” says Beck. “Don’t be afraid to take a test run, see how they thresh through the combine. They might not look ready, but often they are.”
Contact Kriss Nelson at knelson@iasoybeans.com
“ You don’t want to give away a lot of yield from harvesting a dry or too wet soybean.”
Tom Adam, ISA district 9 director
Tom Adam, ISA district 9 director
WISHH leverages partnerships for U.S. Soy to help meet the protein needs of 8 billion consumers
BECK’S COMMITMENT REWARDS PROGRAM: VALUE OR GIMMICK?
Commitment Rewards is an equipment and financial tool that provides growers a competitive advantage. Each year, Beck’s works with industryleading equipment providers and leverages their collective buying power to capture discounts that would not be attainable for a single operation - and then that value is passed on to customers.
With Commitment Rewards, you have an opportunity to tap into Beck’s working capital, which includes an interest-free payback on your item. You can expand your cash position, free up working capital, and secure the tools and equipment you need and provide more value to your operation.
SCAN THE QR CODE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BECK’S COMMITMENT REWARDS PROGRAM.
“Beck’s Commitment Rewards Program has given our farm the ability to secure equipment we would not otherwise have been able to purchase ourselves. Commitment Rewards helped free up capital for other farm expenses.”
Paul Lietz | Alta, Iowa Beck’s Customer Since 2017
LEAD THE FIELD.
REACH FARTHER, WORK SMARTER.
The Brandt XT-Series grain cart utilizes simple innovations to eliminate common delays, so you can Lead the Field.
Increased Productivity
Industry-leading auger reach delivers ultimate visibility while steep tank angles ensure complete tank cleanout.
brandt.ca 1-866-427-2638
Easier to Operate
Keep your harvest moving with optional features including a joystick control kit, auto-lock auger fold and more.
Engineered for Durability
Robotically-welded frames, modular tanks, protected electrical systems and simple drive systems deliver unrivalled uptime.
Firefighters enter a structure to demonstrate the use of a new soy-based fire suppressant.
FIRE SAFETY STARTS WITH SOY FIRE SAFETY STARTS WITH SOY
Farmers and first responders partner to extinguish forever chemicals
STORY AND PHOTOS BY
BROCK JOHNSTON
Anew soy-based fire suppressant is one of the latest soy innovations to hit the marketplace, due in part to research funded by U.S. soybean farmers. The result — a sustainable firefighting foam with the performance and reliability needed to keep people and property safe. The groundbreaking technology could also provide a new market for U.S. soybean meal.
As our first line of defense, first responders face many risks navigating harsh environments including smoke, carcinogens and more. In doing so, firefighters utilize a variety of tools like firefighting foams. Traditional foams, however, have the potential to expose firefighters to harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as “forever chemicals”.
Cross Plains Solution’s SoyFoam™ TF 1122 is the first and only firefighting foam GreenScreen Certified® at the Gold level. GreenScreen Certified®, owned by the non-profit Clean Production Action, is an independent, certification program that promotes the use of PFAS-free and preferred chemicals in materials, products and manufacturing.
That’s because SoyFoam™ is 100% free of intentionally added PFAS and is made with no fluorines. With farmer investment, this safer alternative eliminates this exposure, prioritizing the health of our first responders.
“It is a safer product than anything that’s out on the market right now,” says Alan Snipes, managing partner of the Georgia-based company.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports PFAS being found in water, air, and soil
throughout the country and globe. Although they can be common, exposure is linked to several negative health effects, including certain cancers, changes in cholesterol and thyroid function and small reductions in birth weight. Soy-based products serve as an important pathway to mitigate forever chemicals and protect emergency personnel, communities and natural resources.
Dave Garlie, who works in the Georgia-based lab developing SoyFoam™, says the product is already certified as 84% biobased through the U.S. Department of Agriculture BioPreferred® Program, and certified ready biodegradable by the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development.
“It’s something that is more environmentally friendly and safer to use. After its point of use, it’s rapidly degradable and leaves no environmental footprint,” says Garlie.
Farm to fire
Through their soy checkoff, U.S. soybean farmers have supported much of the extensive testing of SoyFoam™ environmental and performance benefits for use as a safer, more sustainable alternative to conventional fire suppressants.
Unlike many soy-based products for biofuels, adhesives, coatings, lubricants and plastics that primarily use soybean oil, SoyFoam™ uses the meal component of the soybean. And with a growing emphasis on renewable fuels like renewable diesel and biodiesel to decarbonize modern transportation, finding new uses for increased soybean meal crush remains top of mind for U.S. soybean farmers.
Cross Plains Solutions estimates the current applications of SoyFoam™ TF 1122 have the potential to use the protein from 12 million bushels of soybeans. New uses for the product, beyond firefighting applications, are on the horizon.
“We also see demand for numerous additional applications, ranging from canisters to sprinkler systems,” says Snipes.
Despite the product’s “green” components, Snipes says the price is competitive with conventional firefighting foams.
“Right now, based on what the market is we see that we are comparable in price and in some cases even cheaper,” says Snipes.
Ready to use
For Lee Brooke, who farms near Clarinda, the idea of soybeans being used to keep communities and people out of harm’s way holds a special meaning.
AND RELIABILITY
“We all know at least one person who’s been involved with the fire department or needed their help at one time or another,” says Brooke, who represents district 7 on the Iowa Soybean Association’s board of directors. “It could be a neighbor or family member or a friend, so it’s neat to see soybeans playing a part in keeping them safe.”
Iowa alone has 20,000 firefighters organized in more than 870 fire departments. According to the Iowa Firefighters Association, these first responders serve 3 million Iowans in more than 40,000 emergency calls each year.
Local departments won’t have to wait long for the product to be available for use.
“Our manufacturing plant in Georgia is ready to produce SoyFoam™ now, so fire departments can ask their suppliers to offer it,” says Snipes.
Soybean farmers are encouraged to provide information about SoyFoam™ to their local fire departments. To learn more about the product, visit crossplainssolutions.com.
This featured story is for information only. The Iowa Soybean Association does not endorse, promote or make any representations regarding any specific suppliers mentioned herein.
Jeff King, a Kentucky soybean farmer and assistant fire chief, joined other firefighters and guests to learn about SoyFoam TM TF 1122.
TThe Case for Soil Sampling
Joe McClure ISA Director of Research jmcclure@iasoybeans.com
he Iowa farmer is dependent on a lot of factors, but can only control a few.
Nutrient availability and the application of fertilizer are two of the best management practices a farmer can use to impact and drive profitability on each acre.
Soil pH is a foundational factor of crop production and can be adjusted in as little as one year, making it a good investment even on most rented acres, according to Antonio Mallarino, professor emeritus and former professor of agronomy at Iowa State University.
Soil pH is a measure of the acidity of the soil, and optimal soil pH allows for optimal crop growth, ensuring the ideal availability of key nutrients necessary for soybean and corn production.
Impacts on yield
Research from Mallarino and others at Iowa State University shows that crop yield response to liming is consistent when soil pH is below 6.0, but there are higher and more consistent yield responses to lime products when there is a low pH subsoil, as in eastern and southern Iowa. (Figure 1).
When pH is below 6.0 in Iowa, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium availability is restricted and many micronutrients increase to toxic levels. As field pH decreases to 5.5, the problems with nutrients are exasperated and nitrogen availability and plant health are negatively affected.
Crop root growth is negatively affected by low pH, leading to decreased soil aggregation, which affects water infiltration. Soybean nodulation is also reduced in acidic soils and the majority of nitrogen fertilizers, including swine manure, acidify the soil, adding to the need to maintain soil pH.
Questions farmers should ask themselves:
• Has it been more than four years since my fields were sampled?
• Do I have areas in the field with a soil pH below 6.0?
• Am I spending money on extra fertilizers or biologicals before I soil sample and manage my soil pH?
If the answer is yes to any of these questions, Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) recommends that farmers
Figure 1. Relative yield response (combined for corn and soybeans) to the addition of a lime product.
build a soil sampling plan independently or with a trusted advisor to understand the soil conditions and the opportunities to drive yield.
According to Craig Struve, CEO at SoilView, LLC, soil pH and soil buffer pH continue to be two of the most important attributes taken from a soil sample report. Nearly every field in Iowa has areas where the soil pH can easily be adjusted with variable rate lime application, according to Struve. Results from SoilView show 48% of the samples have a buffer pH that indicates ag lime needs should be closely monitored and adjusted.
Soil test data summarized by The Fertilizer Institute from their participating member labs indicate that nearly 30% of the soil samples analyzed for pH from Iowa are at, or below, 6.0. Soil sampling increased between 2001-2020, according to The Fertilizer Institute. However, the number of samples analyzed for Iowa in 2020 also indicates there are many acres not being sampled periodically even when
the assumption is that the average field is sampled every four years at a three-acre grid size (Figure 2).
“Many Iowa soils have varying pH levels, and when soil sampling, care needs to be taken to ensure that the sample size is small enough to identify the soil pH spatially across the field,” Struve says. “A grid size of 2.5 acres or smaller is the most practical and cost-effective way to identify the variability in soil pH within a field.”
Soil sampling and proper soil pH management are crucial to maximizing profitability and increasing availability of key nutrients to produce soybeans and corn. This is especially important prior to investing in additional fertilizers or biologicals focused on increasing the availability of nutrients. ISA recommends that every farmer make a soil sampling plan this fall or find a partner who can assist with the plan to drive productivity and profitability of each field.
For a list of resources, contact Joe McClure at jmcclure@iasoybeans.com.
Figure 2. Soil sampling increased between 2001-2020, according to The Fertilizer Institute. However, the number of samples analyzed for Iowa in 2020 also indicates there are many acres not being sampled periodically even when the assumption is that the average field is sampled every four years at a three-acre grid size.
HAVE A TRIAL OR A PROJECT YOU’RE INTERESTED IN?
We can potentially explore it as a topic in a future issue. Better yet, we’ll connect you with your local expert so you can implement a trial on your farm.
PRofitable Planning
Should you sell following fall harvest or wait?
BY JEFF HUTTON
W
hat should farmers look for when it comes to pricing their grain? The variables are many, but having a marketing plan is key.
Craig Turner, a commodities broker with StoneX, says strong demand and/or fewer supplies strengthen grain prices. But selling at harvest time right off the combine may not be the best time to market those beans.
The better time, generally speaking, is in the spring.
“The best time to sell is usually in the March, April timeframe when the market has the most weather premiums built in,” he says.
Making sales in September and October around harvest are rarely ideal.
“You’ve got to be more aggressive in the wintertime, during the rallies from South America or in spring like March and April,” Turner says.
Nick Repke, a grain marketing advisor with Kluis Commodity Advisors agrees marketing grain off the combine at harvest time can be tough when supplies are the greatest and “prices are typically the worst.”
April, May, June he suggests can be a much better time to sell, but farmers should have a marketing plan in place. Turner says farmers need to start thinking about their marketing plan even before they plant.
“If we get to harvest time in September and October, the problems you might have with the old crop, well, it’s hard to mitigate,” he says. “The market is giving what it’s giving.”
“Having that plan,” Repke says, “allows farmers to perhaps sell some grain in the fall, and later store that grain and look at six months, 12 months and 18 months down the road and price that grain accordingly.”
He adds that part of the plan for any farmer should be knowing what their break-even figures are before marketing, regardless of the time of year they wish to sell.
“Over the last 10 years or so, historically speaking, April, May and June have been the best months to price soybeans for fall delivery,” Repke says.
“Again, I would recommend they need to know their cost of production,” he says. “Some farmers don’t know what it takes to raise a bushel of beans and it’s very difficult to tell anybody when to sell if they don’t know if they’re making money or losing money.”
Overseas influence
Grant Kimberley, the senior director of market development for the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA), says farmers have been challenged by what’s happening overseas.
While China has been looking to increase purchases globally, they are turning to a different part of the world as opposed to the United States.
“Unfortunately, they are looking to buy from Brazil,” he says, adding that with the total demand picture from China, many believe they’ll come back to the table with the United States.
And the weakeness of the Brazilian real has been impacting overall numbers.
According to Bloomberg News, a selloff in Brazil’s currency this summer helped shield farmers there from this year’s price plunge, giving them an edge over the United States. The real has lost 11% in value against the U.S. dollar as of July 2024.
Bloomberg noted that a weaker real means farmers in Brazil can withstand lower commodity prices much more than their American counterparts.
Kimberley, however, doesn’t want farmers to think it’s all doom and gloom.
“We think soybean demand will look a little better in the next year and there always seems to be a weather problem somewhere
“Some farmers don’t know what it takes to raise a bushel of beans and it’s very difficult to tell anybody when to sell if they don’t know if they’re making money or losing money.”
Nick Repke, Kluis Commodity Advisors grain marketing advisor
in the world,” he says. “Over the course of a 12-month period, when those opportunities come, we need to get ready to sell.”
With additional soybean crush, combined with demand for biofuels and the diversification of both oils and meal, exports are expected to increase.
Optimism from the field
ISA District 4 Director Marty Danzer from Carroll knows the market always fluctuates.
“My gut feeling is that I don’t think the bushels and acres are there that they say there are,” he says. “I see a rebound coming.”
While every year is different, typically Danzer forward prices about one-third of his crop before he combines in the fall.
“It might be six months or a year in advance, but we watch the markets daily,” he says. “If we have to sell some overrun after harvest, we will. We store a lot of our grain, both corn and beans, and whenever the opportunity arises, we sell.”
Danzer uses a market agent sometimes, but most of the time they market and sell independently.
“I think with the soybean market, the opportunities are going to be there with the oil and the sustainable aviation fuel,” he says. “I’m much more optimistic about beans than corn — they’re going to come back. Farming goes in cycles — you just have to ride it out.”
Contact Jeff Hutton at jhutton@iasoybeans.com
Iowa Nitrogen Initiative helps farmers zero in on nitrogen needs
BY KRISS NELSON
There are four Rs to nutrient management: right source, right rate, right time and right place.
To better pinpoint those 4Rs, Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) At-Large Director Aimee Bissell is looking to trials to research how different nitrogen rates perform throughout her fields near Bedford.
For Bissell, learning the proper nitrogen rate that works best on her fields is an environmental and financial priority.
“As Iowans, we need to protect our water quality and water sources, and reducing nitrogen rates is one way we can,” she says.
That’s why Bissell has been a part of Iowa Nitrogen Initiative trials for the past three years.
“The Iowa Nitrogen Initiative is a tool in our toolbox that can help us figure out how to reduce nitrogen loss in our nearby streams. That nitrogen lost is money lost,” she says.
In the last three years, Bissell has conducted trials to research the effects of varying rates of fall- and springapplied anhydrous on their no-till soybeans and strip-till corn acres.
Finding an optimal nitrogen rate
Michael Castellano, an Iowa State University professor and leader of the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative, emphasizes the importance of knowing the soil’s capacity to provide nitrogen to the corn plant to better understand the required nitrogen application.
Within the trial, soil samples are taken throughout the growing season, starting with a general fertility and zero-
rate grid sample of the soil prior to planting; soil subplot samples and population counts at the V4-V6 stages; ear collection at black layer and a post-harvest subplot soil sample.
Castellano insists that the plots with zero nitrogen application are crucial for the study, despite some farmers’ concerns.
“The zero nitrogen plots help to understand nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency because a significant portion of the crop’s nitrogen demand is met from organic matter in the soil,” says Castellano.
As part of the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative trials, the Bissells installed three sets of experiments in two of their fields. Each set comprised five different nitrogen application rates: zero, 50 pounds per acre, 100 pounds per acre, 150 pounds per acre and 200 pounds per acre. To observe how the different nitrogen rates performed, the Bissells placed these experiments in areas of the field with varying levels of productivity.
Weather plays a large role in the variation of optimum nitrogen rates, says Melissa Miller, project director for the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative. She says states that use data from trials in the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative over multiple weather years will see improved field-level optimal rate forecasts.
Taking action from results
Over the course of three years of research, Bissell acknowledges they have yet to determine the ideal nitrogen level for their fields. However, their efforts haven’t been entirely lost.
Finding the optimal nitrogen rate helps reduce costs and improve productivity, Aimee Bissell says.
“We have learned it would be advantageous for us to variable rate apply our nitrogen,” she says. “The question remains about what those rates should be. We are learning there are different parts of our fields that may require more nitrogen while others require less.”
Through farmers’ involvement in the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative, ISA Research Agronomist Alex Schaffer says farmers often realize they have been under-applying or over-applying nitrogen. As a result, they can use the knowledge gained from participating in the trial to make more informed decisions about managing fertility.
“We have actually backed down on our pounds per acre of nitrogen,” says Bissell. “We have found we have the best return on investment at a lower rate than we were applying three years ago before we started the trials.”
Bissell estimates they have reduced their pounds per acre of nitrogen by nearly 15 to 20 pounds per acre.
“The study has consistently shown for three years our sweet spot on our farms is at 150 pounds of anhydrous per acre throughout the field,” she says, adding if they can narrow down a variable rate prescription, they expect to further increase their ROI.
Developing a network
Bissell encourages other farmers to work to find their “sweet spot” for their farm’s fertility needs.
“The Iowa Nitrogen Initiative trial is very worthwhile and takes minimal time and effort,” she says.
ISA is partnering with Iowa State University to conduct the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative trial by using its network of research and conservation agronomists to help recruit farmers.
“In the end, we hope participation in the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative will deliver a higher return on investment by making decisions that help boost nitrogen efficiency.”
Alex Schaffer, ISA research agronomist
Schaffer says there are no restrictions on management practices. The only requirements are yield maps from previous years, a calibrated yield monitor and access to equipment that can apply nitrogen at variable rates across the field.
“The Iowa Soybean Association is helping farmers make the process as easy as possible, helping them understand the prescriptions and other technical support,” says Schaffer. “In the end, we hope participation in the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative will deliver a higher return on investment by making decisions that help boost nitrogen efficiency.”
Empowering farmers
Schaffer points out another benefit of participating in the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative: Farmers are equipped with the knowledge to potentially create their own variable rate prescriptions.
“The trial is empowering farmers to make evidencebased decisions using hard data from five different rates of nitrogen in their field,” he says. “That is black-and-white evidence to help them move forward to build their own variable rate prescriptions.”
ISA is recruiting farmers to participate in fall-applied trials for crop year 2025. For more information, contact Alex Schaffer at aschaffer@iasoybeans.com.
Contact Kriss Nelson at knelson@iasoybeans.com
Bissell verifies application rates and Iowa Nitrogen Initiative trial information in her corn field near Bedford.
Clean fuels embrace feedstock innovations that promote a sustainable energy future.
The benefits keep growing. cleanfuels.org
Safety first this harvest season
Tips to prepare for a safe, productive harvest | BY
JEFF HUTTON
“You have to check your equipment, grease the parts daily and look for those issues. A loose piece of metal can start a fire quickly.”
Lee Brooke, ISA district 7 director
Harvest season is here, and producers like Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) District 7 Director Lee Brooke will soon take to the fields to harvest his crops. All told, Iowa farmers are expected to harvest 22.4 million acres of soybeans and corn.
Even when the weather and field conditions are conducive to harvesting, Brooke knows safety concerns are always lurking in the fields and on the roads.
Prepared and alert
For Brooke, preparedness is part of his harvest routine.
“Before we start out, we’ll take care of the combines and tractors, have them inspected, and when we can, do some of the work ourselves in our shop,” he says. “Every year, we want to have our equipment in tip-top shape because it makes for a safer harvest.”
That includes replacing tires, ensuring the internal mechanics of combines and tractors are oiled and running smoothly, and anything that might help in preventing problems along the way.
“And we’re not doing things right before the harvest, but year ‘round,” Brooke says. “You shouldn’t wait until August and September to get everything done.”
Meanwhile, Brooke says he is always on the lookout for other drivers trekking along rural roadways, especially during the harvest.
“We live off a major county highway,” he says. “We are very concerned when we’re operating ‘wide,’ and we take up a lot of the road. We have cameras on the back of our combines and on the back of our grain carts. We’re especially alert as we turn into the fields.”
Since harvest can often run from sunup to sundown, Brooke says he and others in the field take breaks often, ensuring more than one person is engaged in the process should any problems arise.
Prior to going to a particular field, Brooke says everyone in the family is aware of who is where and what’s going on.
“We pretty much know where everyone is and which farm they’re
harvesting,” he says. “We try and leave another vehicle in the field if there is a breakdown and we need that vehicle to get home.”
Brooke says he has water fire extinguishers on the combines and regular fire extinguishers in all vehicles. Brooke says he wants to be prepared, especially if conditions are windy, hot and dry, or if a bearing goes out and starts a fire.
“You have to check your equipment, grease the parts daily and look for those issues,” he says. “A loose piece of metal can start a fire quickly.”
Finally, Brooke says farmers need to keep their minds sharp and focused. Harvesting can include very long days and nights and being alert is paramount.
Dangerous profession
Dan Neenan, director of the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), says Brooke’s plans of action before and during the harvest season are on point.
“Agriculture, unfortunately, is still the most dangerous industry in the United States,” Neenan says. “The harvest only
adds another layer of concern — the days are shorter; it gets darker early and there are more slow-moving vehicles on the road.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021 (the most recent information available), the ag sector incurred 453 fatalities across the country.
NECAS, Neenan says, will be focused on lowering those numbers during National Farm Safety and Health Week Sept. 15-21.
Throughout the week, Neenan says there will be daily topics of focus for farmers and the general public to think about, including equipment and rural roadway safety, health and wellness, generations of farming, confined spaces, and reporting ag injuries.
While safety efforts have improved over the years, Neenan says more must be done.
“We have to make safety top of mind,” he says, “especially during spring planting and the fall harvest when things are moving at a fevered pitch.”
Contact Jeff Hutton at jhutton@iasoybeans.com
SAFETY TIPS
Equipment and Rural Roadway Safety
Check farm machinery, making sure guarding, reflective markings and signage is secure, and that lighting is also working properly.
Health and Wellness
Be aware of your physical and mental well-being. Ensure you’re eating properly and staying hydrated, especially considering your medical and prescriptive needs. Brain health should also be observed. “We’re starting to see a number of layoffs in the ag industry, so we’re in a little bit of a downturn and cash can be short,” he says. “That can make things difficult when it’s time to bring the harvest in. It weighs on people’s minds, so make sure you have someone to talk to during this time.”
Generations of Farming
Fatalities and serious injuries on the farm impact every age demographic, but Neenan says many of these incidents involve children 18 and younger, and farmers 65 years old and above.
Confined Spaces
Know the dangers associated with grain bins, manure pits and other confined spaces. “There should always be at least two people there, specifically at least one person monitoring from outside (the bin or the pit),” he says. “And it’s not the evaluator’s job to rescue someone; instead they need to call 911 and get emergency personnel there.”
Reporting Ag Injuries
Neenan says when it comes to reporting these incidents, it’s important “that we use the correct terminology. Instead of accidents, it should be preventable incidents. The word ‘accident’ implies there’s nothing we could have done.”
A reflective slow moving vehicle sign adorns a grain wagon on a farm-to-market road in Iowa.
Nominate a Farmer or Ag Leader for an IOWA SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP AWARD
Submissions for eight award categories are open now through Oct. 3.
Do you know a student passionate about supporting agriculture? How about a farmer dedicated to protecting natural resources? If so, nominate deserving individuals for one of eight Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) Leadership Awards.
Nominations can be submitted on the ISA website and will be accepted until Thursday, Oct. 3. A committee comprised of ISA farmer leaders will review all nominees. Recipients
will be recognized at the annual ISA Leadership Awards and Industry Celebration Banquet in December.
“Many people are driven to deliver for Iowa soybean farmers,” said Suzanne Shirbroun, ISA president and soybean farmer from Farmersburg. “As a farmer-led organization, it’s important to recognize the meaningful contributions advancing our industry and positioning growers for success.”
NOMINATIONS ARE SOUGHT FOR:
Legacy of Leadership
ISA farmer member advancing the goals of the association and demonstrating a passion and longstanding commitment for growing the soybean industry in Iowa, nationally and internationally.
New Leader
ISA farmer member who has deepened their involvement in ISA programming while enhancing their commitment and service to the industry and their community.
Environmental Leader
ISA farmer member improving on-farm environmental performance and leadership in the use of precision agriculture tools and technology. Must be a current or past participant in ISA Research Center for Farming Innovation (RCFI) activities.
Rising Star
High school senior or college student taking an active role in promoting agriculture who intends to remain involved in the industry through personal or professional activities. The award includes a financial stipend for educational expenses. This award requires an application, found on the ISA website.
Innovator in Production Research
An individual, organization or company showing leadership in using precision agriculture and has worked to validate and manage practices to improve profitability. Nominees with active involvement in ISA’s RCFI are preferred.
Friend of the Iowa Soybean Farmer
Elected leader or ISA partner who has shown a deep understanding of issues facing Iowa soybean farmers and has supported them through their actions and efforts.
Advocate for Iowa Agriculture
ISA member, individual, organization or company who effectively and accurately shares the story of modern agriculture and actively builds bridges between Iowa farmers and consumers.
Policy Champion
Recognizes an ISA farmer and Advocate member who works to advance policy and regulatory issues benefiting the soybean industry. Nominees have a proven track record of engaging with elected leaders as a knowledgeable and trusted resource on soybean industry policy.
To nominate a deserving individual, visit iasoybeans.com/awards2025 or scan the QR code using a smartphone camera. Submissions will be accepted until Thursday, Oct. 3.
