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Multi-state data project aims to help soybean growers

A multi-state project is using big data to give soybean growers better results.

Shawn Conley with the University of Wisconsin says for nearly a decade, they’ve been gathering more and more farmer data so they can develop more prescriptive solutions to make farmers more productive and profitable.  “As we know, farmers are just collecting so much data on the farm, and it just sits there. It either sits in their combine or sits in their computer, and we want to be able to synthesize it and be able to turn around and provide farmers information that can really improve their farming practices.”

Conley says now through the Data-Driven Knowledge project, they’re going onto farmer’s fields with a scouting app and collecting data in addition to the agronomic data from the farmer.  “What planting date, what maturity group, what variety, what seed treatment, basically, all of the agronomic information so that it all goes to feed and inform the database. Now what we’re doing in its next level is bringing in yield monitor data so we can capture the variability across that farm field.”

Conley says the algorithm will allow them to better predict which management practices will increase profitability and sustainability on each farm.

Conley says the beta program is being tested, and farmers can now upload yield monitor data in exchange for a free coupon that gives them access to run the program. 

The research is supported by the thirteen states in the North Central Soybean Research Program and growers can get involved through the Wisconsin Soybean Program website link here.