FFA an Innovative 2010 Yield Challenge Component

Illinois FFA student chapters are invited to join the 2010 Yield Challenge this year, and find ways to express their innovative ideas for increasing soybean yields.  Several across the state are expected to test their classroom knowledge in their outdoor learning labs.

“It is logical to partner with FFA chapters.  Many are already a source of dependable plot information in their communities.  Others are seeking ways to enhance their agricultural education programs,” says Jim Nelson, Yield Challenge coordinator.  “The 2010 Yield Challenge can give students the opportunity to develop their understanding of crop science and related careers.  At the same time, we get additional data for evaluation and further testing.  High school students have the unique opportunity to compete with and cooperate with colleges and universities as they gain valuable research experience.”

Nelson is active this winter, meeting with FFA advisors and students.  He says students seem to understand how the 2010 Yield Challenge might help them with their FFA projects for the year, and even as a building block to advance toward a State Farmer Degree, college education and career plans.

Chapters are encouraged to consider all types of “out-of-the-box” thinking to raise the highest yielding soybeans they can.  Participating teams can enter a minimum of two, two-acre plots on privately or publicly owned land.  Yields, cropping history and production information will be included in the 2010 Yield Challenge management summary.   The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) will pay entry fees for FFA teams.

“FFA students offer endless enthusiasm, non-traditional ideas and the lack of fear to try something different,” says Marion Shier, University of Illinois Extension crops educator who helped develop the 2010 Yield Challenge.  “The fact that many of these FFA students will be our future farmers means they will be producing soybeans and will hopefully be able to utilize some new unique production discovery to further increase yields.”

The FFA team with the highest percent yield increase over their local county average will win cash awards for their chapter.  Each team will receive a certificate of participation.  Other rewards and recognition for participation and achievement will also be made.

Overall, Shier expects the 2010 Yield Challenge to prompt many Illinois farmers to develop their own, on-farm research to help identify what production practices will routinely increase soybean yields and what practices are not contributing to additional yield.

“The challenge is designed to document all production activities in an attempt to identify what practices work and which ones do not,” Shier says.  “The 2010 Yield Challenge will be a success if there are many enthusiastic participants from around the state, innovative, unique and non-traditional production practices put into action, accurate and thorough recordkeeping, and great teamwork between members of all the teams.  Ultimately, the shared learning from the results will help the entire industry.”

*Content Funded by the Soybean Checkoff