News

New crop of Soy Envoys in IL fields

The Illinois Soybean Association’s (ISA) new crop of Soy Envoys are bringing farmers valuable information in a new era of soybean management.

Outreach agronomist Stephanie Porter tells Brownfield there are six certified crop advisors selected for in the program.   

“We are going to be having a lot of different blog topics.”  She says, “They might be on farm research, interesting things pertaining to weeds, as well as early plantings, but also maybe even seed depth. So, look for those.”

Southern Illinois agronomist John Pike works as a consultant with the envoys.

“For years, it seemed like the soybeans were more of a rotational crop that separated our high managed corn systems more than they were part of a high yield, high profit management system, but that has certainly changed.”  He says, “Soybeans are very responsive to more intensive management than we have practice.”

The ISA Soy Envoys is a checkoff funded program.

A link to their field notes can be found HERE.

Named to the 2024 Envoy class are:

• Eric Beckett, Urbana, IL: Field Agronomist for Illini FS and Certified Crop Adviser.
• Drew Beckman, Streator, IL: Northwest Illinois Regional Field Agronomist for Beck’s Hybrids and Certified Crop Adviser.
• Karen Corrigan, Goodfield, IL: Co-Owner and Certified Crop Adviser at McGillicuddy Corrigan Agronomics.
• Craig Grafton, Monticello, IL: Product System Scientist at Bayer and Certified Crop Adviser.
• Kelly Robertson, Benton, IL: Owner and Lead Agronomist at Precision Crop Services LLC, and Certified Crop Adviser.
• Shelby Weckel, Thomasboro, IL: Sales Agronomist for Ehler Brothers Seed and Certified Crop Adviser.

AUDIO: Stephanie Porter – outreach agronomist @ ISA