PA Soybean Farmers Support Checkoff-Funded Research Projects
HARRISBURG, PA (March 7, 2013) – Research projects designed to provide reliable crop production data to soybean growers, to support Pennsylvania’s animal agriculture industry, and to increase markets for soybeans have been awarded checkoff grants totaling $135,917 by the Pennsylvania Soybean Board.
The all-farmer board, which administers the national soybean checkoff program in the commonwealth, approved a number of research projects focusing on crop management practices that will directly impact the state’s soybean producers. Additionally, the board approved grant requests for research benefiting animal agriculture, the largest domestic user of soymeal and the largest sector of Pennsylvania’s agricultural industry, as well research and education initiatives designed to expand uses for soy products.
Funding grants were approved for the following projects:
- $28,568 to Penn State to establish a sentinel plot program in Pennsylvania soybean fields. The program will be run in collaboration with Penn State Extension to provide soybean growers with statewide assessment of insects and diseases active in soybean fields. Eighteen soybean fields will be scouted weekly for insect pest and disease population.
- $37,559 to Penn State for continuation of the Pa. On-Farm Soybean Research Network. In the coming year, this on-farm product testing network, which was initiated in 2009, will focus on evaluating the potential of foliar fungicide responses under high yield conditions; evaluating the effectiveness of molybdenum seed treats, especially on fields with low pH; and evaluating the potential of bio stimulants for soybean production. Additionally, dedicated soybean production meetings will be held at various locations throughout the state, and research results will be disseminated through crop meetings and online resources.
- $ 7,000 to Penn State to manage the annual soybean variety trials at Penn State’s research farms in Lancaster and Centre Counties. Commercial varieties and experimental cultivars will be evaluated. The continuing search for higher yielding varieties, the onset of new diseases and insects, and the new focus on value-added traits in the future is essential to soybean producers in Pennsylvania. 2013 marks the 22nd consecutive year for the trials, which are designed to evaluate soybean varieties for their performance under Pennsylvania conditions.
- $6,136 to Penn State for research into common pokeweed management in field crops.
- $8,862 to Penn State for Soybean Field Workshops where growers will have the opportunity to learn from hands-on experience. The half-day workshops, which will be conducted at ten locations throughout the commonwealth, will be held twice at each location, once right after planting and once in August before the canopy completely closes. Producers will gain hands-on experience in soybean disease and pest identification, scouting and economic impacts.
- $10,000 to the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton School of Veterinary Medicine for research targeting gestating sow enrichment in anticipation of the next animal welfare challenge.
- $14,992 to Penn State University for a study into the prevention of inflammation-driven colon cancer by soy protein concentrates. Colon cancer is the third most common cause of cancer death in the United States. Inflammation and oxidative stress are key drivers of colon cancer. Research will build on studies that support this new use of soybean protein. If successful, the studies will provide pre-clinical data to support clinical trials on the colon cancer preventative effects of soy protein concentrate.
- $12,800 to the National Biodiesel Board for certified training for diesel technology professionals in Pennsylvania. Diesel mechanics are the first point of contact between consumers and users of biodiesel, and it is important that they are well informed so they can answer questions regarding biodiesel use.
About the Pennsylvania Soybean Board
The Pennsylvania Soybean Board is a farmer-controlled Board responsible for managing Pennsylvania’s share of funds received from the nationwide Soybean Checkoff program. The funding is available under an assessment program, approved by Congress in 1990, under which soybean farmers contribute 50 cents of every $100 they receive for their beans at the first point of sale. Funds are used to develop markets, educate consumers, and research new ways to utilize and produce soybeans more efficiently.