Iowa Soybean Review | December 2022

Season’s Greetings

you

INVESTING IN NEW MARKETS FOR U.S. SOY

From promoting the profitability of using high-quality soybean meal in India to training animal producers on nutrition in Colombia, the soy checkoff is working behind the scenes to develop more market opportunities for U.S. soy. We’re looking inside the bean, beyond the bushel and around the world to keep preference for U.S. soy strong. And it’s helping make a valuable impact for soybean farmers like you.

See more ways the soy checkoff is maximizing profit opportunities for soybean farmers at unitedsoybean.org

President

Randy Miller, Lacona | D8

President-Elect

Suzanne Shirbroun, Farmersburg | D3

Secretary Jeff Frank, Auburn | D4

Treasurer Brent Swart, Spencer | D1

At-Large Director Tom Adam, Harper | D9

Board of Directors

Chuck White, Spencer | D1

April Hemmes, Hampton | D2

Casey Schlichting, Clear Lake | D2

Rick Juchems, Plainfield | D3

Marty Danzer, Carroll | D4

Morey Hill, Madrid | 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

Pat Swanson, Ottumwa | D9

Tim Bardole, Rippey | At Large

Steph Essick, Dickens | At Large

Lindsay Greiner, Keota | At Large

Brent Renner, Klemme | At Large

American Soybean Association Board of Directors

Morey Hill, Madrid

Wayne Fredericks, Osage Brian Kemp, Sibley

Jeff Jorgenson, Sidney Steph Essick, Dickens Dave Walton, Wilton

United Soybean Board of Directors

Tim Bardole, Rippey

Lindsay Greiner, Keota April Hemmes, Hampton

Staff Credits

Editor | Bethany Baratta

Sr. Dir., Information & Education | Aaron Putze, APR

Creative Design Coordinator | Brianna Schechinger

Photographer | Joclyn Bushman

Writer | Joseph Hopper

Writer | Jeff Hutton

Writer | Kriss Nelson

Public Relations Manager | Brock Johnston

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.

Comments and statewide news articles should be sent to the above address. Advertising space reservations must be made by the first day of the month 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.

December 2022 | Vol. 35, No. 3

4

What Excites You?

Kirk Leeds reflects on 30 years at the helm of the Iowa Soybean Association.

14 Meet the President

ISA President Randy Miller highlights opportunities for the year ahead.

26

Get in the Game

Develop your game plan for success at the upcoming Innovation to Profit conference.

28

5 Tips to Better Seed Selection

Experts weigh in on how to select varieties for your fields.

On the Cover: Trees on the Hunter Brothers Tree Farm near Chariton. Selling trees, including Christmas trees, is one way brothers Nick and Mike Hunter have further diversified their crop and livestock farm. See the story on Page 22.

Executive Insights

What Excites You?

This month marks 30 years as the chief executive officer of the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA). It’s been an amazing run that’s provided a front-row seat to incredible growth in global soybean demand and production.

Examples:

• Soybeans were planted on 59 million acres in the U.S. in 1992. In 2022, nearly 90 million acres were planted.

• Thirty years ago, the national soybean yield was 37.6 bushels per acre; today, it’s more than 50 bushels per acre.

• U.S. soybean production has more than doubled over the past 30 years, from 2.2 billion bushels to almost 4.5 billion bushels.

• Domestic soybean crush capacity has surged from 1.2 billion to 2.2 billion bushels.

• U.S. soybean exports in 1992 were less than 700 million bushels; today, more than 2.5 billion bushels are exported.

China has been key to this growth. On my first day at ISA, soybean exports to the country of 1.18 billion people were nonexistent. We soon rallied around the mantra of getting “one chicken in every pot,” knowing a boost in protein consumption by the country’s booming population would

necessitate greater soybean meal demand. Our efforts, backed by the soybean checkoff, succeeded. China is now home to 1.43 billion people who eat a whole lot of chicken, pork and fish fed with U.S. soy.

Over the past 30 years, we’ve developed a host of new uses for soybeans – from ink and biodiesel to renewable diesel and products extending the life of asphalt and shingles. We introduced the world to soy-based aquaculture feed and demonstrated to fish and shrimp farmers in countless countries how to incorporate new technologies to sustainably produce more fish.

Since 1992, we’ve vastly improved soybean genetics, including the introduction of biotech crops. We’ve used science to boost yields and reduce our environmental footprint with better management driven by checkoff-funded research conducted by ISA.

And that’s not the only example of how ISA has flourished these past 30 years. The association has played a lead role in launching a multitude of initiatives and programs, including the North Central Soybean Research Program, Soy Transportation Coalition, U.S. Soybean Research Collaborative,

Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers, Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance, Iowa Biodiesel Board, AgOutcomes, the Soil Water Outcomes Fund, Iowa Food & Family Project and The Soyfoods Council.

A colleague recently asked what continues to excite me after 30 years at ISA? That’s easy: We have more work to do!

Demand for soybean oil and meal will grow, perhaps at an even faster pace. New products on both the production and demand side are being developed. Consumers are increasingly inquisitive about how and where food is produced. Governments around the world seem bent on limiting access to emerging technologies and erecting obstacles for farmers who remain focused on producing a safe and abundant crop to feed a hungry world. U.S. soy must be poised to meet consumers’ growing protein needs.

To the great farmer leaders and dedicated staff I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside these many years – a heartfelt thank you for all you have done and will continue to do in the exciting times ahead.

Merry Christmas and God Bless.

Celebrating 30 YEARS

Three decades at the helm of Iowa Soybean Association

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As governments and companies set aggressive carbon emission reduction goals, those same organizations are looking to renewable diesel as a direct substitute for petroleum diesel. Renewable diesel is made from lower-carbon, renewable resources, which helps all parties meet carbon reduction goals.

Renewable diesel differs from biodiesel in that it can be produced from a variety of non-fat feedstocks (like grasses, wood, ethanol and garbage) – in addition to traditional feedstocks like soybean oil. Additionally, renewable diesel can have better handling characteristics, including a longer shelf life and lower freeze point. Although there are key differences, renewable diesel, like biodiesel, can still deliver a 40-86% reduction in emissions compared to petroleum diesel according to Argonne National Lab.

“Renewable diesel is a top choice in markets with aggressive climate targets,” Matt Herman, senior director of renewable products marketing for the Iowa Soybean Association, told participants at a Soybean Research Forum and Think Tank in July 2022.

In 2021, U.S. renewable diesel production equaled about 845 million gallons. Consumption totaled about

RENEWABLE DIESEL Soy Positioned to Grow as Low-Carbon Fuel Solution

1.3 billion gallons, which included about 468 million gallons of imports, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Renewable diesel is created through hydrotreating, a process that uses hydrogen to remove oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur from crude oils. The highheat, high-pressure process produces a fuel with chemical properties similar to conventional diesel, according to Clean Fuels Alliance America, formerly the National Biodiesel Board.

California uses the most U.S. renewable diesel products and imports, accounting for more than 93% of national demand. In 2021, the state consumed a combined 1.229 billion gallons of biodiesel and renewable diesel, replacing a full one-third of its petroleum diesel with renewables. The state has set a target of carbon neutrality by 2045. Utilizing biodiesel and renewable diesel has helped California sprint toward its carbon reduction targets, while novel technologies like electric vehicles continue to gain steam.

THINK TANK

Participants at the Think Tank, ranging from researchers to farmers and sustainability experts to food company executives, were asked to identify the challenges and opportunities associated with renewable diesel.

They pinpointed six challenges the soybean industry can work through to find greater success in the renewable diesel space:

Meeting demand: Can the soybean industry produce enough soybeans to meet all demand from food, feed and fuel customers?

Genetic editing for end uses: Will farmers experience a yield decrease if soybeans are modified in a way that creates beneficial

OPPORTUNITIES

Renewable diesel presents many opportunities for participants all along the value chain to extract greater value from soybeans, according to Think Tank contributors. These include:

Soy profile: This can be an opportunity for soybean breeders to alter the bean for fuel market optimization.

Marketing alongside electric vehicles: Renewable diesel has a place alongside electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions.

Carbon intensity: Soy is a sustainable, renewable feedstock. Increasing sustainability efforts in growing soybeans also will make products like biofuels and soybean meal more sustainable.

properties for end users — i.g., higher oil content or different fatty acid profiles?

Infrastructure: What investments are needed to support the increase in renewable diesel capacity in the U.S.?

Carbon intensity scores: What can be done in the lab and in the field to reduce the carbon intensity of soybeans and their crop rotations?

Process byproducts: What can we do to increase demand for soybean meal as a byproduct of increased oil production?

Market stability: What does the market look like for renewable diesel? What does it mean for soybean farmers and the soybean meal market?

UNCONVENTIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

Matt Herman is bringing together various stakeholders to guide the Iowa Soybean Association’s efforts in exploring opportunities for renewable products.

“We’re now starting to see these legacy petroleum companies lean into renewable diesel because it is a product they can make in their existing refineries,” Herman says.

One such conversation happened earlier this year with Valero, the world’s largest independent refiner. The company is also the second largest renewable diesel producer in the world and a large producer of corn ethanol.

Increasing demand: There are several untapped markets for renewable diesel in the fuel industry (i.g., marine, rail and bioheat). This demand can be influenced by policy, corporate sustainability goals and partnerships with environmental groups.

Processing: As the process to produce renewable diesel becomes more widely available, costs of processing will decrease, and new products like sustainable aviation fuel may become more common.

Adding value and identity preservation: Can soybeans with a higher oil content be incentivized? Is there an opportunity for regional incentives? Can identity preservation be maintained?

The conversations and plant visit with a group previously considered a competitor have morphed into finding common goals for increasing production of renewable diesel and driving demand for soybean oil.

“Valero [and other petroleum companies] are under pressure to reduce their carbon footprint as much as possible for every gallon of fuel they produce,” Herman says. “There is a really strong interest from Valero and farmers in reducing the carbon footprint of agriculture feedstocks used to make these fuels.”

Contact Bethany Baratta at bbaratta@iasoybeans.com

Renewable diesel capacity growth driven by petroleum companies:

Currently, the U.S. produces approximately 24.25 MMT of soybean oil per year (including the oil exported as part of whole beans). In 2021, 20% or approximately 4.85 MMT of oil was consumed for biofuel. If all of the announced renewable diesel plants were built and fed with soybean oil, demand would increase by 342% or 16.6 MMT a year. It takes roughly 8 pounds of soybean oil (or other fat) to produce a finished gallon of renewable diesel.

Shop Talk

armers have a lot riding on a good set of tires. Proper inflation, impaction and maintenance directly impact soybean production and a farmer’s bottom line.

F

While traversing the Farm Progress Show grounds near Boone in August, I bumped into Scott Sloan of Titan International Inc. Sloan is one of the best tire guys in the biz and a frequent guest of Bob Quinn and Andy Petersen on WHO Radio’s The Big Show. We talked tires – from inflation and slip percentages to knowing and balancing load weights –and why all these things matter. Here’s an excerpt of our conversation.

Why should farmers care about tires?

You can have the best motor, transmission and cabin amenities, but you won’t go anywhere without a good set of tires. Real performance depends on transmitting horsepower to the ground and doing it efficiently. Having the right tires and footprint are essential.

What is the science behind proper tire inflation?

Too much or too little air in a tire costs you money. When it comes to inflation, don’t go by the pounds per square inch (psi) marked on the sidewall or how the tire looks. If you do, you’ll lose out on the benefits from running on properly inflated

tires. Start with knowing the weight of your load, then inflate based on that data. Doing so will have a positive and cumulative effect on compaction, pull, traction and fuel economy, which will impact your bottom line.

Conventional wisdom contradicts running on underinflated tires. Yet, you’re a proponent?

Yes, I am. Flattening a tire enlarges the footprint that’s carrying that load. A larger footprint translates to more distribution on the ground, which reduces the psi. A bigger footprint lessens impaction and that’s good for plant germination and growth. On-board central inflation

systems are coming into vogue. Keep an eye on them so you can adjust inflation accordingly if you’re in the field or on the road.

What other benefits come from a lower inflation?

It improves traction by reducing slip percentage. When you’re slipping, you’re losing traction and thus, distance and fuel efficiency. You want the distance you travel to be equivalent to the revolution of your tires.

What else affects performance?

Ensure weights on the implement are balanced. When you’re not getting the traction you

need, take a second look at the balance of front-to-rear weight ratios. For four-wheel articulated 90-series implements, we try to get 60% of the total weight of the tractor on the front axle as keeping the front down pulls the rear down and reduces slippage. On the mechanical front drive tractor, it’s the opposite, as you want 40% on the front and 60% on the rear.

What was a game changer for the tire industry?

Low Sidewall Technology (LSW). It was a privilege to help build the first LSW tire in 1997. Titan Tire took the lead in looking differently at a tire in terms of a larger rim

diameter and smaller sidewall. It took a bit of nerve, but we were relentless in our efforts to build a better tire. The work paid off – for Titan and farmers. The LSW tire significantly reduces power hop, road lope and soil compaction, which improves equipment safety, performance and efficiency.

Does it appear LSW is here to stay?

Seeing LSW become the gold standard in the farm tractor tire industry has been rewarding. We improved stability and handling by taking out 20% of the sidewall — thus shortening it — and boosted performance.

You’ve been involved in the tire industry for almost four decades.

Why?

I love what I do. I also respect the work ethic of farmers and what they do. Input costs are crazy, and the amount of money a farmer handles annually is scary. Farmers want to see value in everything they do, and we want to deliver value. A $500,000 machine might look cool, but if a $250,000 machine can achieve the same outcome and we can make that happen with the right kind of tires, most farmers will choose the $250,000 tractor.

Contact Aaron Putze at aputze@iasoybeans.com

MAINTAINING OUR REPUTATION TO DELIVER

Whether shipping by river, road or rail, the soy checkoff is committed to ensuring America’s infrastructure is a significant advantage for U.S. soybean farmers. We’re looking inside the bean, beyond the bushel and around the world to keep preference for U.S. soy strong. And it’s helping make a valuable impact for soybean farmers like you.

See more ways the soy checkoff is maximizing profit opportunities for soybean farmers at unitedsoybean.org

Brought to you by the soy checkoff.

©2018 United Soybean Board. Our Soy Checkoff and the Our Soy Checkoff mark are trademarks of United Soybean Board. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

CLEANER FIELDS LEAD TO HIGHER YIELDS.

Meet the President

Randy Miller identifies 2023 priorities

Ask Randy Miller to talk about his priorities as president of the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA), and he’ll quickly turn the conversation to challenges — and opportunities — the board is engaged in on behalf of Iowa’s 40,000 soybean farmers.

Expanding soybean demand, farm bill priorities, input prices and profitability are just a few of those items.

“When we see challenges, we want to face them head-on and find a solution,” Randy says.

However, he’ll be the first to admit that he was content being a member of ISA without serving in a larger capacity. It wasn’t until he was encouraged by the ISA Producer Services team to run for the ISA board of directors that he thought about serving more fully.

“I would have never dreamed I would be here,” says Randy, who accepted the gavel from immediate ISA Past President Robb Ewoldt in August. “But yet, somebody has to do it. If we don’t do it, who will?”

Learning by doing

Though he didn’t grow up on a farm, he learned about agriculture on his grandfather’s farm.

Randy dipped his toes in farming and agriculture through 4-H and got more involved by helping a neighbor with cattle chores when their father passed away.

He joined the Pleasantville FFA chapter, where his love of agriculture grew. He worked for area farmers, planting and harvesting crops and taking care of livestock.

He soon found that he wanted to make a career in agriculture.

Randy attended Iowa State University (ISU), where he studied agriculture and ag extension.

Throughout college, he worked on various farms, even assisting with livestock shows at the Iowa State Fair. That’s where his friends set him up with Sheila Heemstra, an Iowa State Fair Queen contestant who became his wife in 1990. They moved to her family’s farm near Lacona.

Randy commuted between the farm and Ames, finishing stints at the Warren County Extension office, Laverty Elevator in Indianola and the Natural Resources Conservation Service to complete his degree requirements, all while farming in Warren County.

The next generation

After graduating from ISU, Randy devoted more time to raising crops and livestock — and a family. Children Kaylee and Kaleb joined the family; Kaylee’s pink sunglasses and Kaleb’s John Deere toy tractor still grace the floor of the combine as mementos of their childhood rides.

Now grown, Kaylee and Kaleb are still involved in agriculture. Kaylee is an ag instructor and FFA advisor at Winterset. Son Kaleb works alongside Randy on the farm.

Living to serve

Randy doesn’t consider one challenge more important than another. Instead, he says, challenges are more connected than they used to be.

“It used to be that you didn’t have to worry about much,” Randy says. “Now, you’ve got a whole row of dominoes set up, and you wait for that one domino to fall. Where it is in the row depends on its effect — some are greater than others.”

Take trade, for example. One action sets off a row of reactions that ultimately affect demand and prices farmers receive on the farm.

Soybean acres and demand are the basics of the soybean business. What does demand for biodiesel and renewable diesel mean for soybean demand? Will there be enough soybeans to serve all purposes?

What impact will the farm bill have on soybean farmers? Will biofuels have a part in the bill? How is crop insurance affected by the determinations of what’s in or out of the farm bill?

“The landscape of production agriculture is changing quickly. The scope of this legislation is very broad and impacts a farmer in many ways — addressing the farm safety net, conservation programs, trade policy, energy, rural development, research and nutrition,” he says.

Staying nimble

Randy says research will continue to be a focus in the years to come.

“We need to continue to fund projects that affect soybean farmers daily, like gall midge and soybean cyst nematode,” Randy says. “We’re always going to try to raise more bushels and create more revenue per acre, and these pest and disease challenges have a major impact on production.”

Farmers are always thinking about the next season. What about profitability in 2023? What about input costs?

Leveraging checkoff dollars has been essential in creating markets for soy — the demand for biodiesel is proof of those early efforts.

“We talk about the next thing: staying focused on growing soybeans but watching and acting on new opportunities,” Randy says.

Farmer productivity and profitability remain top of mind for the ISA board of directors, he says.

“At the end of the day, it’s about profitability; it’s a business,” Randy says. “But to see how a soybean seed can grow into a product that’s used to feed people around the world, as a fuel like in biodiesel, or in other ways, there is, to a certain extent, fulfillment.”

Contact Bethany Baratta at bbaratta@iasoybeans.com

“When we see challenges, we want to face them head-on and find a solution.”

RANDY MILLER, ISA president

SOY SNAPS

Images from Iowa farm life in 2022

Grain delivery night at Key Cooperative in Nevada

The Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) Research Center for Farming Innovation (RCFI) strives to deliver the best farmer-led research combining agronomic, conservation and analytics tailored to soybean farmers.

RCFI’s on-farm research program and the conservation and cropping system implementation coincide with achieving those goals.

The on-farm research program leverages data and information to support technical assistance and outreach. Simultaneously, the conservation and cropping system implementation teamwork serves to improve soil health and water quality, resiliency of cropping systems, and create profitable opportunities for Iowa farmers.

“With the vision and support of our board of directors, we have been building a legacy of leadership and implementation initiatives for over 20 years,” says Roger Wolf, RCFI codirector of conservation and cropping systems implementation. “We leverage the investment of the soybean checkoff along with other funding. We work to meet the needs of farmers through research, then transfer that research to move a whole system forward.”

On-farm research program

Research trials in 2023 will have a significant focus on conservation, specifically looking into how to use cover crops as a tool for managing nutrients, says Joe McClure, RCFI co-director of on-farm research.

Trials will include managing manure as a nutrient source, blending cover crop usage for improved profitability, relay cropping and precision cover crop trials.

SCN survey

To help combat a pest costing Iowa farmers more than 50 million bushels a year, RCFI announced a collaboration with Iowa State University (ISU) to understand soybean cyst nematode (SCN) infestation populations on farms in Iowa in 2022.

“On average, SCN is prevalent in 75% of all fields in Iowa. Most farmers deal with it whether they know it or not,” says McClure. “Through the SCN survey, we are trying to understand that prevalence and develop a protocol to help farmers manage SCN through seed treatments or varietal selection and determine which process has the best return on investment.”

Fungicide trials

RCFI is focusing on fungicide trials, helping farmers decipher what fungicides — new or existing — are effective.

“We will be studying fungicides on soybeans to understand their efficacy,” says McClure. “Is there a return on investment? We want to understand how they work.”

Long-term cover crop trials

With 17 locations across the state, long-term cover crop trials will continue in 2023.

“We think cover crops can be a critical tool in productivity, profitability and sustainability on the farm,” says McClure. “We must show how they perform in different scenarios.”

Technical assistance

ISA’s agronomist network will continue to help farmers become aware of conservation opportunities.

“Our on-farm research and data

have enabled the conservation agronomists to help farmers be successful as they implement conservation practices,” says Wolf.

RCFI has eight conservation agronomists partnering with seven retail outlets across Iowa. There are plans to add conservation agronomists and increase relationships with ag retailers in 2023.

Since implementing the conservation agronomists program in 2019, more than 1,000 one-onone farm visits have been conducted. Conservation agronomists have reached 10,000 farmers via events and outreach. This has resulted in the adoption of more than 50,000 acres of cover crops, 9,037 acres transitioned to no-till or strip-till, 5,000 acres of improved nutrient management and installation of 68 edge-of-field practices.

“In 2023, we would like to double the cover crop implementation to 100,000 acres install an additional 20 edge-of-field practices, improve nutrient management on 2,500 more acres, and transition 3,000 more acres to no-till and strip-till,” says Wolf.

Integrating habitat into the landscape, enabling stacking of practices and achieving net conservation benefits are also planned for 2023, Wolf says. This includes an estimated 20 new oxbow restorations and more than 20 acres of pollinator habitat.

“In the case of oxbows, farmers are treating water in the landscape and creating a habitat for the Topeka Shiner,” says Wolf.

Grassroots advocacy

In 2022, RCFI conducted six grassroots meetings involving

“With the vision and support of our board of directors, we have been building a legacy of leadership and implementation initiatives for over 20 years.”

RCFI is actively seeking participants for various projects and have begun initiating 10 projects in preparation for the 2023 season. These projects build on collaborations with Iowa State University and industry partners to leverage soy checkoff funds to ensure the most significant impact possible. Projects blend corn-specific, soy-specific and those looking at the entire soy/corn cropping system to enhance productivity and adopt sustainable practices. The projects include:

farmers, trusted advisors and partner collaborators.

“From these meetings, RCFI is collating priorities and developing new implementation initiatives to leverage on-farm research and other support programs,” says Wolf.

These gatherings are also helping the ISA and RCFI team identify 40 local champions for this year’s Iowa Front Forty advocacy initiative.

Collaboration continues

McClure says RCFI will increase the collaborative nature of their projects in 2023 and beyond.

“The theme moving forward is collaboration. It will give us better

and more trusted answers if we partner with more individuals in more organizations,” he says. “We feel that collaboration with Iowa State University and ag programs at other educational institutions will lead to the best research and information for our farmers.”

Relationships with industry partners, including Agriculture’s Clean Water Alliance, local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and supporting Regional Conservation Partnership Programs, are essential to RCFI’s success.

“We recognize we are part of a bigger community,” says Wolf. “We are working with downstream partners and other stakeholders to bring positive changes important to Iowa

and, frankly, the nation.”

McClure says the RCFI team of agronomists and researchers is focused on increasing research on soy productivity while working on projects that address the success of the entire cropping system across Iowa.

“ISA has the research on the ground for agronomic purposes and conservation implementation and an analytics team to move this forward,” McClure says. “This combination is a great advantage for us. We have a seat at the table most organizations don’t have because of the great work the team has done over the last 20 years.”

Contact Kriss Nelson at knelson@iasoybeans.com

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WISHH is a program of the American Soybean Association and is funded in part by the United Soybean Board and state soybean board checkoff programs.

CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM

You would think brothers Nick and Mike Hunter would have enough to do. After all, they farm 1,500 acres of row crops and raise several head of cattle just northwest of Chariton.

But throw in growing an additional 20 acres of Christmas trees and shade trees for landscaping and residential use, and they’re just plain busy.

But maybe since it’s the holiday season, being busy while spreading a little cheer is worth it. For nearly 40 years, the Hunter Brothers sure think so.

Hunter Brothers Tree Farm

Welcome to the Hunter Brothers Tree Farm, where you can pick out a special tree that sits in your living room from Thanksgiving to New Year’s.

“We see this as a way to give back to the community,” says Nick, who, along with brother Mike, first planted trees in 1984 and began selling six years later.

But it took longer than six years to grow Hunter Brothers into the tradition it has become.

The land where the trees are located was previously used for crops, but soil conditions were not ideal. A lot of clay and rocks in the soil made raising row crops challenging.

Both brothers knew the importance of diversity on the farm from their education at Iowa State University.

“To diversify, we decided to plant 500 trees,” says Nick.

They researched which varieties of trees to plant, not unlike what they do in seed selection and making input decisions on their row crops.

“It was a lot of trial and error,” Nick says. “We just learned as we grew.”

Their tree farm education meant learning which trees are suitable for Christmas trees versus what might be a good shade tree for landscaping or residential use.

“Fir trees for Christmas trees are not native, so they don’t like the heat or too much water,” Nick says. “Sometimes we have to bring some in during the holidays.”

The trees that do thrive, whether for the holidays or other use, must be sheared, trimmed and cared for every year.

Typically, a 6- to 7-foot tree takes about six years to grow — from a 2-year-old seedling to a mature tree.

Creating family traditions

Over the years, the operation and labor of love have grown. They added a tree barn and, in the mid-1990s, acquired an old schoolhouse, which now serves as their gift shop.

The brothers, both ISA farmer-members, lived near the old Lucas County schoolhouse. When it was auctioned off, they jumped at the chance to acquire the school and relocate it to its current location on their tree farm.

Homemade wreaths, other gift items and hot chocolate inside the old school help draw holiday visitors, who show

It’s more than crops and cattle for the Hunter brothers

up the weekend before Thanksgiving and continue through to Christmas.

“It’s become a tradition for families,” says Nick, who adds that many come to the farm for their holiday photos.

It’s also a chance for the brothers to reconnect with their children and now grandchildren, who help during the season with sales.

“We just love it,” Nick says, even though there is no rest during the five weeks when visitors can pick out a tree to take home and decorate.

Nick and Mike note that they are a full-service Christmas tree operation.

“We’ll cut it down, drag it down and bag it,” says Nick, who concedes they also have many customers who enjoy the satisfaction of doing the work themselves.

Friendly connections

For Nick and Mike, the best part about their tree farm is connecting with those who want to bring a little holiday tradition into their homes.

“Sometimes it’s seeing friends you haven’t seen in a year,” Nick says. “It’s rewarding when you see them come in.”

The farm is located one mile northwest of Chariton at 20755 490th St.

Contact Jeff Hutton at jhutton@iasoybeans.com

“I am continually amazed at the high quality of the research ideas ... and have noticed many researchers ... combining their talents and knowledge in different areas of expertise.”

GREG TYLKA, ISRC director

Iowa Soybean Research Center funds new research at ISU

The Iowa Soybean Research Center (ISRC) has awarded $300,000 in support of two soybean research projects at Iowa State University (ISU), reaching a $2 million milestone in soybean research funding by the center.

The ISRC’s Industry Advisory Council, which includes Iowa soybean farmers, industry partners and the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA), met in September to consider a wide range of research ideas and to provide guidance on how to invest the available funds. Thanks to an increase in the number of industry partner and continued increases in financial support provided by ISA, the Center is funding two projects. Projects include: Continuous soybean cropping research. Sotirios Archontoulis, ISU professor of agronomy, will receive funding to develop field research locations and initiate study of a continuous soybean cropping system in Iowa. The project will collect and accumulate relevant knowledge to aid in decision-making in future years. Currently there are no soybean-aftersoybean cropping system intensive research locations in Iowa. In some countries, such as Argentina, a soybean-after-soybean cropping system is common. Archontoulis will collaborate with Mark Licht, associate professor and Extension cropping systems specialist in the agronomy department, and Mike Castellano, soil science professor. Greg Tylka, professor in the department of plant pathology and microbiology will also be involved in this project.

Effects of seed treatments on seed and soil microbiome. Gary Munkvold and Larry Halverson, professors of plant pathology, entomology and microbiology, will receive funding to study the effects of soybean seed treatments on the seed and soil microbiome. Seed treatments are known to improve crop performance, but there is little information about how seed treatments affect microbial colonization in the zone in the soil surrounding a seed as it germinates or how long these effects last. Researchers will study the reaction of soil microflora, including pathogens, to the presence of different seed treatment products on soybean seeds. The results will help make informed decisions about seed treatment usage.

ISRC added six new industry partners over the past year; 17 industry partners now support the center.

“ISRC appreciates the continued support of the Iowa Soybean Association and our industry partners, and we thank the Iowa State researchers who submitted ideas,” says Tylka. “I am continually amazed at the high quality of the research ideas that are presented to the Center and have noticed many researchers now are collaborating more, combining their talents and knowledge in different areas of expertise.”

“As membership on the ISRC Industry Advisory Council continues to grow, so do the contributions and commitments from insightful council members,” says Ed Anderson, ISA senior director of research and chair of ISRC’s advisory council. “There were

many good, collaborative research ideas presented, and it was interesting to see which projects the industry partners and the farmer representatives came to a consensus to fund.”

ISRC is a formal collaboration of Iowa soybean farmers, industry partners, ISA and ISU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Current industry partners include AGCO Corp., Albaugh, LLC, AMVAC Chemical Corporation, BASF, Bayer CropScience, Beck’s, Cornelius Seed, Corteva Agriscience, FMC, GDM, Innvictis Seed Solutions/Simplot Grower Solutions, Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, Merschman seeds, The Mosaic Company, Peterson Genetics,Inc., Syngenta and UPL. Each industry partner has a representative who serves on the Center’s advisory council along with three farmer representatives. The council meets annually to provide feedback on what research they would like to see funded.

About the Iowa Soybean Research Center

ISRC was established in 2014 by ISU in partnership with ISA. The Center was founded to increase soybean production and profitability for Iowa farmers through coordinated research efforts involving ISU, ISA and the private sector. Information on becoming an ISRC industry partner is available by contacting center director Greg Tylka, 515-294-0878 or ISRC@iastate.edu.

Contact Kara Berg, communications coordinator for the Iowa Soybean Research Center at kjberg@iastate.edu

Developing a Game Plan for Success Innovation to Profit Conference

The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) will show how it is “Driven to Deliver” during the upcoming Innovation to Profit Conference scheduled for Feb. 16, 2023.

Information at the conference will be geared toward delivering information to help bring profitability to your operation through research trial results using ISA’s analytic tools and discovering other valuable resources. Attendees will be encouraged to take the information and develop their personalized game plan.

“We want our attendees to go home with an action plan,” says Ed Anderson, ISA senior director of research. “Whether utilizing our data and technical assistance for a new management practice or working with the Iowa Soybean Association through on-farm trials or using a data-based tool.”

The conference is an opportunity to see soybean checkoff dollars at work.

“The conference provides information farmers can use that is unbiased,” says ISA President Randy Miller, who farms near Lacona. “Research is done to see whether certain products or practices work and if they are beneficial to farmers. The conference is an event to get information from a trusted source you helped fund.”

The Innovation to Profit Conference is an ISA-wide event. Attendees will be entertained by keynote speakers at the beginning and end of the conference, and they can attend breakout sessions providing insights into ISA programming.

“The topic variety is significant,” says Miller. “From population studies to fungicide, to nitrogen studies and water quality, to herbicide resistance, the breakout sessions allow farmers to dive deeper into subjects of interest.”

At the conference, participants can meet ISA staff and learn about ISA’s Research Center for Farming Innovation (RCFI).

“Our research team works hard to partner with farmers on their farms to provide more integrated, holistic programming, which spans agronomy with conservation and everything we know that is important for sustainability,” says Anderson. “We have a skilled analytics team that takes data from onfarm trials and other research entities and puts that information together in decision tools and predictive models. Farmers can access these resources to help them be more profitable in their businesses.”

The day-long conference will be held at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.

“It is centrally located and easy to get to from anywhere in Iowa,” says Miller. “It is a great time of year to take a break from the monotony of winter, connect with ISA and network with other farmers.”

Contact Kriss Nelson at knelson@iasoybeans.com

“We want our attendees to go home with an action plan, whether utilizing our data and technical assistance for a new management practice or working with the Iowa Soybean Association through on-farm trials or using a data-based tool.

5 Tips to Seed Selection

A successful harvest relies on careful seed selection

The seed business is ever-changing. Seed trends, traits and how pests react to those traits change every year.

The most important management practice for highly profitable soybeans is variety selection. Before making seed selection decisions, consider the tips on the following page.

1Carefully consider soybean maturity groups

Mid- and late-season weather and harvest are all factors to consider when choosing the right maturity group.

“First, understand what maturities fit your region for maximum yield frame,” says Joel Thomas, Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) farmer-member and Pioneer seed salesman from Dallas Center.

Once regional maturity groups are identified, choose wisely so your soybeans do not mature simultaneously.

“Harvesting soybeans when they are too dry can make an otherwise good soybean variety look average due to harvest loss at the header,” says Scott Nelson, ISA senior field services program manager. “To prevent lost bushels, spend time fine-tuning your soybean variety maturities so you will have time to harvest when soybeans are at optimum moisture.”

Having some diversity in maturities has another advantage when it comes to weather. Early-, midand late-season maturity soybeans will have different responses to weather throughout the season.

Be selective when adopting new herbicide traits

The seed industry is rapidly releasing soybean varieties with new forms of herbicide resistance.

“In some cases, the soybean varieties containing these traits are very offensive without much stress resistance bred into them,” says Nelson. “Understand these new varieties, and place them in the proper environments for increased profitability.”

Know what species of weeds you are trying to control and who will be applying the herbicide, Thomas says. Also be aware of sensitive crops in neighboring fields.

Don’t select varieties on yield alone

A soybean variety that is high performing in a test plot or your neighbors’ fields may not be the best option for you.

“Consider that some of the performance comparisons on soybean varieties are from highly fertile, level soil with optimum drainage,” says Nelson. “Soybean varieties that do well under these conditions may not have the stress tolerance to

yield optimally on less productive, poorly drained or droughty soils.”

Thomas says every soybean variety has yield potential. Look for the one that best matches your field.

“It’s a matter of finding the right fit for your farming style,” he says. “For example, if you are no-till, you might have cooler or wetter soils. Is the fertility high, or is it management level? Are you using a fungicide, insecticide or seed treatment?”

Know your fields

Review notes from the past year and consider an agronomist’s advice on the primary stresses of soybeans in your fields. Stresses include fertility levels, other soil conditions, soybean cyst nematode (SCN), sudden death syndrome (SDS), brown stem rot, foliar diseases and physiological diseases, such as iron deficiency chlorosis and drought tolerance.

“Do you know if there is cyst pressure? Is there high pH in the soil? Is the fertility level high, medium or low? What diseases have there been in the past? Is SDS a concern?” says Thomas.

Fall sampling for SCN will help you understand what measures are needed to combat one of Iowa’s most devasting pests to soybeans.

“Some companies are releasing genetics that contain Peking-type SCN resistance,” says Nelson.

“Favor selection of these varieties as SCN is adapting to older resistance, such as PI 8878. Anything you can do to use varieties with new resistance will improve the resiliency of your soybeans, especially in stressful summers.”

Select multiple varieties

Try choosing three to four seed varieties for your farm.

“Many farmers complain their soybean yield levels have stagnated,” Thomas says. “Part of this stagnation is they are using too few varieties on their farm. Pick a package of offensive and defensive traits.”

The process of choosing, growing and harvesting different soybean varieties should not be taken lightly, Thomas says.

“Farmers should spend the same time and energy raising soybeans as they do corn,” he adds.

Contact Kriss Nelson at knelson@iasoybeans.com

“Consider that some of the performance comparisons on soybean varieties are from highly fertile, level soil with optimum drai nage.”

Iowa Soybean Association

Iowa Soybean Association recognizes these industry stakeholders for their involvement and support. Their investment of time, talent and resources improves the competitiveness of Iowa soybean farmers and strengthens the association. We look forward to continuing our important work in 2023 and beyond.

Interested in becoming a partner? Contact Aaron Putze ataputze@iasoybeans.com to learn more.

PRESIDENTIAL PARTNER

A Year in Review

Rural Route 2

Editor’s Note by Bethany Baratta bbaratta@iasoybeans.com

It’s my favorite time of the year. It’s nearly Christmastime, but I’m referring to something else.

It’s almost time to crack open my new monthly calendar. In a few weeks, 2023 will be here, but I’ve refrained from writing anything in the crisp, white pages of the spiralbound beauty.

I spend a ridiculous amount of time browsing websites and standing in the calendar aisles of local office supply stores to find the perfect planner: not too big, not too small, something colorful so it sticks out in a pile of paper. After an absurd amount of research, the same brand and type of calendar usually makes it to my desk.

Unlike my mom and grandma, I’m not good at keeping a diary. There are annual diaries next to my bed that I started with good intentions, but then they were left nearly blank.

My monthly calendar serves as a bit of a diary for me. I often

glance at it and reflect on the conversations, stories and events that made up the month. A glance at the months in my 2022 planner reveals some highs and lows: my husband’s shoulder surgery, which landed on my birthday (he asked first), a trip to New Orleans for the Commodity Classic, the funeral for Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) director Tom Oswald, visits back to the farm, the first day of kindergarten for our son, meeting advertisers and acquaintances at the Farm Progress Show, and the birth of our niece.

Monthly issues of the Iowa Soybean Review also help tell the annual story of Iowa agriculture. We’ve celebrated award winners during the Winter Soy Summit, reviewed trial opportunities and research at the Innovation to Profit Conference, and celebrated our members and the importance of soy to Iowa and our ag industry. We’ve also recognized challenges on the

farm: drought, rising input costs, supply chain uncertainties, pests and diseases.

In this issue of the Review, we share some tips for selecting the best seed for your farm. We also cover how ISA’s Research Center for Farming Innovation is plotting out 2023 (you will want to attend the 2023 Innovation to Profit Conference in February!). Readers also hear from ISA CEO Kirk Leeds, who celebrates 30 years at ISA this month. It’s truly remarkable to see how the soybean industry has grown in the three decades since Kirk began his journey as ISA’s CEO.

Despite whatever 2022 has thrown at you or blessed you with, I’m glad you’re here. I appreciate your readership and all you do.

Until next year.

I’m curious — what were your highs for the year? Your lows? What are you looking forward to in 2023? I’d love to hear from you. Shoot a note to me at bbaratta@iasoybeans.com or give me a call at 515-334-1020.

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Amy P. / customer since 2016