Soybean Checkoff Research
Conservation
Research Projects
Pollinators and Honey Bees
“Most often pollinators are active in the middle of the day, so earlier in the morning or later in the evening are more friendly times to apply chemicals and reduce the risk to the pollinator insects.” – Dr. Curtis Young, OSU Extension
Phosphorus progress in Ohio
“Decreasing long-term STP trends and P balance is good news for Ohio farmers and all Ohioans interested in improving Ohio surface water quality. These results suggest that Ohio farmers are taking steps to manage P inputs and STP. Continued success will result in reduced P runoff and move Ohio closer to achieving water quality targets.” – Libby Dayton, OSU Extension
The Role of Soil Microbes
By James J. Hoorman, Hoorman Soil Health Services Soil microbes are abundant, making nutrients available to plants. There are more soil microbes in a teaspoon …
Cover Crop Termination
Terminating cover crops using the right methods at the right time will be critical to ensure timely planting and prevent the cover crops from competing with cash crops.
Strip-Till Advantages
The American Society of Agronomy describes strip till as “Strip-till is in between the two systems (No-till and Conventional Till) where you combine the benefits of each” and a compromise between strict no-till and conventional tillage.
Compaction or Poor Soil Structure?
“Cover crop roots may increase water infiltration down 3 feet or deeper to improve water drainage.” – James J. Hoorman, Hoorman Soil Health Services
Reducing Phosphorus Runoff
“Recently, researchers have concentrated mainly on Dissolved Reactive Phosphorus because it flows with the water and is easily Harmful Algal Bloom absorbed. ” – James Hoorman, Hoorman Soil Health Services
Adapting to Extreme Weather
“Growing winter cover crops with evapotranspiration may dry the soil quicker.” – James Hoorman, Hoorman Soil Health Services
Fertilizer applied years ago still affects Lake Erie
“There’s also a substantial amount of phosphorus leaving fields that was applied years before. It will take time and patience to achieve the reductions in phosphorus that we need to reduce the severity of the annual algal bloom.” – Laura Johnson, National Center or Water Quality Research, Heidelberg University