Saint Louis, Missouri
January 15, 2008
The American Soybean
Association and BASF
Corporation are inviting U.S. soybean producers to sign up
for the 2008 Secure Optimal Yield (SOY) Field Trials program. In
pursuit of greater profitability, more than 100 growers across
the country took part in the 2007 SOY program, and many more
utilized the methods and products described in the program to
conduct their own "unofficial" field trials.
The SOY program provides an opportunity for growers to apply the
latest knowledge to their soybean crop. In addition to the one
post application of glyphosate routinely used on Round Ready®
soybeans, SOY program test acres are to be treated with a
burndown application that includes a BASF residual herbicide
plus one application of Headline® fungicide at R2-R3.
"I was pleased to see a 5 to 7 bushel increase on my yield
monitor when I was harvesting the Headline-treated beans," said
ASA President John Hoffman, who farms near Waterloo in northeast
Iowa. "In my estimation, with higher prices and input costs in
2008, more producers are going to consider the value of
intensive crop management practices because they pay off.
While it is unlikely that man will ever figure out a way to
control the weather to his advantage, producers do have the
power to adopt enhanced weed and disease management techniques
that can result in healthier plants and greater yields. It is no
secret that agronomists have for several years been advocating
new methods to maximize soybean yields utilizing the technology
and products already available today.
Growers reporting harvest data in the 2007 SOY program saw an
average yield advantage of 6.8 bushels/acre for the SOY trial
versus the Control acres. With current futures prices exceeding
$12.00 per bushel, the SOY acres have the potential to earn an
average of $81.00 more per acre.
For decades, farmers and researchers thought 100 bushels/acre
represented the outer limits of soybean yields. But ASA member
Kip Cullers, who set another new world record for soybean
production in 2007 with a yield of 154.74 bushels/acre, says
ultra high yields are well within reach of many growers.
"The two most important things you can do to maximize yield is
pay attention to plant genetics and be proactive about
protecting your crop from diseases," Cullers said. "A healthy
plant is a happy plant and applying Headline fungicide is a key
step in protecting my soybeans from disease and ensuring Plant
Health."
Cullers’ progressive approach to farming and his focus on
innovative products has not only helped him achieve
record-breaking yields, but has shown other growers that
soybeans possess far more genetic yield potential than people
ever imagined.
"What Kip Cullers is accomplishing with soybean yields is very
impressive – as I was able to see first-hand when I visited his
farm this year," said Dr. Gary Fellows, BASF technical manager.
"He’s pushing the yield barrier higher than any of us might have
thought possible. With proven results like this, many growers
will continue to see the improved disease control and Plant
Health benefits of Headline fungicide."
"It’s becoming clear to me that Plant Health is a key to high
yields. With Headline, I know I’m helping to get the most out of
every plant," said Cullers, who grows 7,500 acres of corn and
soybeans in southwest Missouri. "I’m excited to see these
tremendous results again in this year’s crop. With attention to
detail, proactive management and the right technology, who knows
where we’ll go next year."
All participants in the 2008 Secure Optimal Yield Field Trials
program must be members of the American Soybean Association, and
ASA is offering a free one-year membership (approximate value
$70.00) when growers sign up for the 2008 SOY program. Current
ASA members who sign up for the program will receive a free
one-year extension of their current ASA membership. And upon
completion of the program, qualified participants can earn a
$250 Cabela’s Gift Card from ASA when they provide the required
field trials harvest information.
SOY program participants will also be invited to a special
breakfast event on Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, at the Commodity
Classic in Nashville, Tenn., where they will meet
representatives from the ASA and BASF, and listen to Kip Cullers
talk about how he set the new world record for soybean yield.
This breakfast is an optional event and participation is not a
requirement of the Secure Optimal Yield Field Trials program.
The 2008 SOY field trials sign up form and complete program
details are available at:
www.SoyGrowers.com/SOY/.
The sign up deadline is Feb.
15, 2008.
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