Staying on the cutting edge of the soybean industry means prioritizing research to find inventive ways to continue moving the needle for Wisconsin soybean farmers. The Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board (WSMB) did just that at its February board meeting, approving several research projects for fiscal year 2025 at the Kalahari Resort & Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells. 

“We’re helping to fund the tools for our farmers to be more profitable,” Jonathan Gibbs, WSMB president, said. “As a board, we seek to sponsor projects that are looking ahead to battle production challenges and ultimately improve our bottom line, and that all comes from having robust conversations as a group, which we certainly did during this meeting.” 

WSMB voted unanimously to fund the continuation of several University of Wisconsin Extension research projects that cover a variety of research areas, including developing an insect dynamics isoline map for Wisconsin Soybean to predict real-time local pest densities, pest monitoring through an award-winning insect eavesdropper technology and controlling white mold.  

The board also approved funding to support the popular Wisconsin Soybean Yield Contest, which notched a record number of entries in 2024. Details for the 2025 Yield Contest will be announced later this spring. Dr. Shawn Conley, a University of Wisconsin researcher who was approved to conduct several checkoff-supported research projects, will oversee the Yield Contest. 

WSMB also approved new research projects that will analyze soybean cyst nematode (SCN) resistance and provide pest and agronomic decisions to soybean farmers powered by the Wisconet weather station network.  

To be considered by WSMB, a brief outline of the project or campaign and a plan of how to communicate the results to farmers, businesses or consumers in a 250-word overview was required. Proposals also needed a list of deliverables, a timeline and a budget. Contracts will be valid for one year.