2010 Yield Challenge to Encompass All of Illinois

Imagine the state of Illinois as one large soybean research plot.  That is the vision of Vince Davis, University of Illinois Extension soybean specialist, who is helping to coordinate the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) Yield Challenge next season.  The Yield Challenge will provide the opportunity for teams of farmers and others to experiment with ways to improve soybean yields and generate meaningful field data.

“Many farmers conduct side-by-side research plots.  The Yield Challenge is one of the largest efforts I know of to unify such a large collection of farmer research efforts,” Davis says.  “The challenge is more research focused than a yield contest.  It is team-based.  We hope farmers and organizations will work together to strategize and test management practices.  That is how great technologies are discovered – scientists independently test hypotheses while working in teams with other scientists and learn from others’ results.”

Davis says the major focus of the Yield Challenge will be on the collection of comprehensive and season-long information regarding the management decisions and weather patterns at each plot location.  Each “high yield” plot will be paired with a “normal practices” plot, so each location will have a side-by-side plot comparison.

Yield Challenge teams will be grouped according to the nine USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) crop reporting districts in the state.  Davis says the categorization takes away some of the advantages or disadvantages with different soil types across Illinois.  Also, by aligning the Yield Challenge districts to match the NASS crop reporting districts, comparing yields from the challenge to average district yield trends will be easier.  No overall state Yield Challenge winners will be named.

“We do not know the magic number of data points we need to have a statistically valid study, but collecting the data statewide for inclusion in the Varietal Information Program for Soybeans (VIPS) database will help soybean farmers evaluate information in the future,” says Mike Levin, ISA director of legislative affairs and special projects.  “We will track where the plots are through GPS, and results will be recorded online.  All of the teams, whether they are farmers, FFA, college or seed companies, will report their data.”

Since many different crop production sectors are advancing technology and products in ways that should enhance yield or improve the ability to manage soybeans, Davis hopes that all will get involved with the Yield Challenge.  The more teams, the greater the chance that teams will learn from each other and combine methods to increase yields.

“The most important science this challenge will provide is not the answers we find, but the questions we generate,” Davis says.  “We are going to collect information about all products and practices, so when large yield increases occur, we can further investigate why, and how, those practices increased yield.  We know farmers are very innovative.  If they discover ways to increase yields under specific cropping systems, hopefully we can validate and refine those to generate recommendations that other farmers can use.”

For more information about the program, visit www.soyyieldchallenge.com, or contact ISA at 309-663-7692.  Registration will continue until April 1, 2010.

*Content Funded by the Soybean Checkoff