Soybean Research Principal Investigator Profile – Aaron Wilson

Aaron Wilson, State Climatologist of Ohio and Assistant Professor – Ag Weather and Climate Field Specialist, Ohio State University Extension

Why did you decide to pursue a career that includes soybean research?
I always wanted to be a meteorologist. However, I was also fascinated by plants and crops. The career assessment tests I took growing up all recommended that I pursue ag science. As the state climatologist for Ohio, I do what I love — applying weather research and data — to help farmers and ag researchers. I can help explain changes in weather patterns and provide information that helps agriculture, including soybean production, be more resilient. My role within Ohio State University Extension allows me to reach stakeholders where they are, and I love that.

What research topic have you completed in the past or are working on now that could have or has had the most significant impact on soybean production?
Improving weather monitoring in Ohio provides weather instrumentation that supports practical applications for soybean production.

  • Pathologists, nematologists and others can use weather data to identify the spread diseases and pests. 
  • Temperature and windspeed monitoring helps manage against drift in herbicide and other pesticide applications.
  • Understanding weather patterns and extremes informs efforts like future irrigation needs and genetic selection for soybeans that can handle variable conditions.
  • Accurate weather predictions helps farmers take advantage of planting and harvest timing windows.

How has the soybean checkoff enhanced your ability to find answers to production problems for farmers?
Working with the soy checkoff provides opportunities to listen to production challenges and problems as described by board members and other farmers. Then, I can link those challenges to weather and climate data that can help find solutions. The magic is in the conversations and sharing of expertise that helps us all. 

Within your area of expertise, what are the top two or three general recommendations you would offer farmers to improve their management practices?
Weather patterns impact areas where farmers need to focus management efforts. For example, the trend of warmer, wetter springs and dry summers informs how farmers manage water. They can consider practices like controlled drainage, cover crops and variety selection. Warmer winters and springs also affect weeds, which love warm, wet conditions. Weed management becomes even more critical in those conditions.

Within your area of expertise, what do you consider to be critical soybean research needs that can impact the profitability of farmers in the future?
Soybean production faces challenges of adjusting the type of soybeans grown based on heat and humidity challenges. Climate models continue to indicate that Ohio’s summers may be more like Arkansas’s today by the end of the century. What does soybean production in this region with that climate look like? Research can answer those questions throughout the U.S. and inform genetic work to develop soybeans that can thrive in changing conditions. I also think research needs to focus on interactions between changing weather patterns and disease and pest pressure. Weather conditions could allow new invasive pests to appear, and farmers need research to be prepared to manage them.

Soybean Research Principal Investigator – Heather Darby

Heather Darby, Extension Professor, Agronomic and Soils Specialist, University of Vermont Extension

Why did you decide to pursue a career that includes soybean research?
I grew up on a Vermont dairy farm, and always loved agriculture. I thought I would be a dairy farmer, but my mom made me go to college. At that point, I thought I knew everything about cows. Because I didn’t know everything about plants and soils, I decided to study agronomy. Now I love that I am helping farmers stay viable and achieve their goals, and soybeans have become an important part of that. I find it exciting to answer new questions from farmers and make a difference for them. 

What research topic have you completed in the past or are working on now that could have or has had the most significant impact on soybean production?
The northeast region has traditionally had low soybean production. As soybean acres increase, all my research is impactful because it’s a new crop. Farmers, consultants, seed dealers and others in local agriculture need lots of information to ensure the crop is successful, so all my basic research on varieties and best practices has been valuable. Now we are addressing more advanced questions related to cover crops, nitrogen management and more, and learning what practices make sense here.

How has the soybean checkoff enhanced your ability to find answers to production problems for farmers?
If it wasn’t for these dollars, I don’t know how else I would get soybean research funded. Area farmers need practical information, so the checkoff is critical here. It is very, very much appreciated.

Within your area of expertise, what are the top two or three general recommendations you would offer farmers to improve their management practices?
First, farmers need to select the right soybean variety for the environment. Then, they need to manage planting timing, especially because our growing season is relatively short. Pay attention to the basics of planting first, to be sure to get those right. 

Within your area of expertise, what do you consider to be critical soybean research needs that can impact the profitability of famers in the future?
A big issue here is climate. Farmers deal with weather variability, and they need to manage soybeans and other crops under more erratic conditions. We need research to find the tools and practices farmers need to adapt. They need answers to the question “What do you do when what’s always worked doesn’t work anymore?” That is the type of research we need to provide.

Soybean Research Principal Investigator Profile – Burt Bluhm

Burt Bluhm, Professor of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas System – Division of Agriculture

Why did you decide to pursue a career that includes soybean research?
I did my graduate research at Purdue on mycotoxins in corn. During my post-doctoral research, I started working with Cercospora, which is not an important disease in corn in the south. However, it is a huge challenge in soybeans. At the University of Arkansas, I was mentored by a leader in the international soy pathogen community, and now I love working with the plant. I’ve learned the ins and outs of soybean pathology, and it is fascinating.

What research topic have you completed in the past or are working on now that could have or has had the most significant impact on soybean production?
Research to develop a bioherbicide to control Palmer amaranth could have major impact for soybean production, because it is such a problem weed. I am also involved in research to engineer Cercospora genes. These pathogens, which cause disease like Cercospora leaf blight and frogeye leaf spot, are developing resistance to the major known form of genetic resistance in soybeans. We aim to produce RNA that the fungus would take up, which would then shut off its own genes that cause that tolerance. That would allow the genetic material to maintain effectiveness.

How has the soybean checkoff enhanced your ability to find answers to production problems for farmers?
I wouldn’t be able to do the research I do without soy checkoff support. It provides early funding that can then be leveraged into additional grant funding for more in-depth research. The checkoff is instrumental for carrying out research, and it also helps substantially with networking with other researchers who have similar interests.

Within your area of expertise, what are the top two or three general recommendations you would offer farmers to improve their management practices?
Farmers should listen carefully to extension recommendations for thoughtful application of fungicides because disease resistance is an issue that is on the rise. Following recommendations and best practices can help preserve fungicide chemistry.

Within your area of expertise, what do you consider to be critical soybean research needs that can impact the profitability of farmers in the future?
We need lots of research to stay ahead of changing climate conditions. We need to learn how stress from extremes like heat and drought influences pests and diseases. Through enhanced genetics and research, we can tackle many challenges. A wholistic approach to genetics research, that draws on expertise from multiple disciplines, may be the best approach to develop soybeans to stay ahead of environmental conditions.

Soybean Research Principal Investigator Profile – Alan Leslie

Alan Leslie, Central Maryland Research and Education Center Director, University of Maryland

Why did you decide to pursue a career that includes soybean research?
In graduate school, I started studying natural systems embedded in agriculture. From that experience, I learned that science in farming is fascinating. Agriculture allows for more interesting experiments and collecting lots of data. That drew me to a career in agricultural research, and soybeans are a key part of that system in Maryland.

What research topic have you completed in the past or are working on now that could have or has had the most significant impact on soybean production?
I worked locally in southern Maryland with Ben Beale to fine-tune herbicide recommendations to control Palmer amaranth, one of the most difficult weeds our farmers need to manage.

How has the soybean checkoff enhanced your ability to find answers to production problems for farmers?
The soy checkoff supports a wide variety of research, and I can go to reports from other projects to look up results and learn what research has been or is being done. I’ve used information from seeding rate and stink bug trials. I’ve looked up control recommendations for sporadic pests. The soy checkoff supports local, applied research, and keeping records of that is really valuable. Plus, it helps fund students working with me on research projects.

Within your area of expertise, what are the top two or three general recommendations you would offer farmers to improve their management practices?
Farmers should rely on integrated pest management practices for more judicious application of the great technologies available in chemicals. Using them carefully helps preserve that technology for future seasons. With changing climate patterns, more pests will likely become problems, and farmers need to have as many effective tools available as possible.

Within your area of expertise, what do you consider to be critical soybean research needs that can impact the profitability of famers in the future?
I believe we need more research on adaptations of systems to climate change. Opportunities to enhance production will occur with longer growing seasons, but other inherent problems will arise, as well. Adaptation research will help farmers be ready and resilient in the face of climate challenges. 

Soybean Research Principal Investigator Profile – Guillaume Pilot

Guillaume Pilot, Associate Professor, Virginia Tech

Why did you decide to pursue a career that includes soybean research?
I have wanted to do basic molecular research in plants since I was about 12 years old. As a kid, I understood how the human body worked with different organs and systems, but I didn’t understand how plants worked. I wanted to understand them. My current study of plant molecular physiology allows me to do that, and I work primarily with the model plant Arabidopsis, studying plant use of amino acids. However, the genomics professor next door to my lab has dragged me into work on soybeans, which is a great plant to study in terms of nitrogen use, which aligns with my basic research. Soybeans are more challenging, but also bridge from my basic research to applied row-crop research.

What research topic have you completed in the past or are working on now that could have or has had the most significant impact on soybean production?
My study of the genes involved in the translocation or movement of amino acids in plants is increasing understanding of the process that controls the amount of protein in soybeans seeds. Work to identify genes involved in filling grain could help improve yield and protein content of soybeans.

How has the soybean checkoff enhanced your ability to find answers to production problems for farmers?
The soy checkoff provides funds for field trials, sampling, analytics and more. My research would not have been able to continue for multiple years without this support. 

Within your area of expertise, what are the top two or three general recommendations you would offer farmers to improve their management practices?
I think that farmers would benefit from building their understanding of the basic principles of how crops grow. Knowledge of what’s involved in plant processes for germination, emergence, growth, etc., would combine with their experience to help them understand what is likely happening in their fields under different conditions. With a deeper understanding of basic plant processes, they can make better decisions for managing crops, rather than just relying on what companies say.  

Within your area of expertise, what do you consider to be critical soybean research needs that can impact the profitability of famers in the future?
One big challenge is over-application of nitrogen and the resulting eutrophication in water. I think we need research to make crops more efficient at nitrogen uptake and use to address this issue. We also need research to better understand nitrogen in the soil and its interaction with different soil qualities. The future of agriculture is challenging with issues like this and changing conditions. Research isn’t moving fast enough or receiving enough funding to adequately address these challenges.

Soybean Research Principal Investigator Profile – John Mueller

John Mueller, Professor of Plant Pathology, Clemson University

Why did you decide to pursue a career that includes soybean research?
I started working on soybean cyst nematode as an undergraduate student, so I have always worked on soybeans. I came to Clemson to research soybean cyst nematode, and with that I inherited work on other soybean diseases. 

What research topic have you completed in the past or are working on now that could have or has had the most significant impact on soybean production?
My work on other species of nematodes in soybeans has helped soybean farmers in this region protect yield. I’ve done lots of root-knot nematode work in soybeans, studying nematicides and rotation, as well as breeding to release varieties with resistance to this nematode. I’ve worked on the race of peanut root-knot nematode that goes to soybean. And, I also helped release the first soybean varieties with tolerance to Columbia lance nematode.

How has the soybean checkoff enhanced your ability to find answers to production problems for farmers?
The soy checkoff is a godsend. South Carolina is a small state in terms of soybean production, even though it’s our main crop. We have to piece together smaller grants to do research to help farmers. Many of the production challenges for soybeans are different, even from other regions of the south. Our farmers need local, specialized data that addresses their issues and different rotations. Thankfully, grower groups work together to fund important work, and the soy checkoff is a critical part of that.

Within your area of expertise, what are the top two or three general recommendations you would offer farmers to improve their management practices?
Rotation, rotation, rotation. Crop rotation addresses many problems, like weeds, diseases and nematodes. If you want problems in a field, grow the same crop every year.

Within your area of expertise, what do you consider to be critical soybean research needs that can impact the profitability of farmers in the future?
While lots of work has been done on root-knot nematode and soybean cyst nematode, we have many other nematode problems, like lesion, lance and sting nematode species. We need to find genetic resistance to these nematodes, and there may be genetics that provide resistance across nematode species. Ongoing advances in genetics make this more feasible.

Soybean Research Principal Investigator Profile – Wes Lowe

Wes Lowe, Assistant Professor, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Mississippi State University

Why did you decide to pursue a career that includes soybean research?
I worked in sales and marketing for several years before returning to college to complete my degree. I planned to return to industry, but when I earned my bachelor’s degree, I was asked to go to grad school, where I fell into research. I became a research assistant at Mississippi State, where I could take classes and keep learning. I did that until I realized I met the requirements for a Ph.D. I earned that as a position opened up in the department. I sit in a really amazing place—and one that was not on my radar. I have learned that I really enjoy helping people solve real-world problems. Soybeans are the No. 1 crop in the state, and so solving problems in that crop allows me to impact a larger audience and help more people. I couldn’t have chosen anything better.

What research topic have you completed in the past or are working on now that could have or has had the most significant impact on soybean production?
The biggest impact I have had on the soybean industry came indirectly through my Ph.D. project, which was related to catfish production. I was tasked with developing an automated feeding system that would put a necessary vaccine in the catfish food as it went into the pond. It had to be a continuous-feed system that only applied the vaccine when the fish were eating. As a result of my design and the vaccine together, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio improved in catfish, increasing the value of catfish production $2,000 per acre. That system helped maintain the need for soy-based feed ingredients for catfish production in Mississippi. 

How has the soybean checkoff enhanced your ability to find answers to production problems for farmers?
The soy checkoff gives me a vehicle to go do the research. We can’t do anything without funding. Through my network of farmers, I hear about the challenges they have. With these checkoff investments, I have the ability to answer questions and make the production system better.  

Within your area of expertise, what are the top two or three general recommendations you would offer farmers to improve their management practices?
Farmers are always looking at return on investment with technology adoption, but that may not be the right approach. Some advantages of technology don’t come with dollar figures. They should also consider technology with a different perspective. Consider time savings, overall fit into their system, quality of life and more. They should also consider the link to mental health. In some cases, technology adoption can lessen stress in a high-stress environment. As automation comes, farmers need to think differently about what’s important in life, which could be more than just ROI.

Within your area of expertise, what do you consider to be critical soybean research needs that can impact the profitability of farmers in the future?
We need to understand what autonomy really means as we move toward remote or no-operator equipment. I think critical research needs to be done for transitionary pieces as the industry changes. We need equipment and methods that can employ module technology to transition toward both more and less automation. I also think that equipment has gotten really big, and that research in a new direction, toward smaller, more compact equipment that works with swarm technology, will be valuable. I think teams of equipment will operate in a field together with automation, and research will uncover the possibilities.

Photo courtesy David Ammon, Mississippi State University

Soybean Research Principal Investigator Profile – David Krog

David Krog, Co-founder and CEO, Salin 247

Why did you decide to pursue a career that includes soybean research?
I grew up on a farm and went to college at Iowa State University, getting my undergrad degree in agronomy. I really like research, and I think it is very valuable to farmers. I am interested in leading technology to help farmers increase yield and sustainability, and research is how we discover and improve.

What research topic have you completed in the past or are working on now that could have or has had the most significant impact on soybean production?
In my autonomous, lightweight equipment, artificial intelligence and robotics work together. Current early research on ways that machine learning and artificial intelligence can help these toolbars communicate with farmers has the most potential to impact soybean production, but we are still in the process of figuring this out.

How has the soybean checkoff enhanced your ability to find answers to production problems for farmers?
Without financial support from the soy checkoff, we would not be as far along in making autonomous, lightweight equipment work as we are today. Getting into fields to plant soybean trials added value for improving autonomy while also collecting data for other research. 

Within your area of expertise, what are the top two or three general recommendations you would offer farmers to improve their management practices?

  • Do more on-farm trials and collect more data to keep learning and improving.
  • Network with farmers from across your state and the country to learn what is and isn’t working well. Plugging into an ecosystem of farmers allows us all to help each other.
  • Work directly with university researchers, as they bring a scientific perspective to farming that helps you improve.

Within your area of expertise, what do you consider to be critical soybean research needs that can impact the profitability of farmers in the future?
We need to research other ways to farm, including a new model for farm machinery that addresses soil compaction and health, as well as labor challenges. I also think research should focus on soil health and cost of production. As we learn more in these areas, that knowledge can support farmer profitability.

Soybean Research Principal Investigator Profile – Carolyn Lowry

Carolyn Lowry, Assistant Professor of Weed Ecology and Management, College of Agricultural Sciences, Penn State University

Why did you decide to pursue a career that includes soybean research?
I love thinking about how weather variability affects weeds and weed management. Soybeans are a very important crop both regionally and globally, and using cover crops before soybeans is becoming more common. Because cover crops may play a role in resilience for weather variability, focusing on soybeans is a natural fit.

What research topic have you completed in the past or are working on now that could have or has had the most significant impact on soybean production?
My research examining how extreme rainfall events influence the efficacy of residual herbicides of varying solubility and how a cereal rye cover crop impacts weed control efficacy has great potential to help soybean farmers protect their crops. As my first soy-focused project, it will lay a foundation for better understanding weed control under climate variability.

How has the soybean checkoff enhanced your ability to find answers to production problems for farmers?
It is reassuring to know that a question is valuable, and that farmers see research as worthwhile. Working with the soy checkoff provides that assurance. Through those connections, I hear about issues farmers are dealing with, which builds confidence in establishing a research program to address those issues. That support also pushes me to keep asking these types of questions. 

Within your area of expertise, what are the top two or three general recommendations you would offer farmers to improve their management practices?
As a weed ecologist, I encourage farmers to incorporate diversity in herbicides, modes of action, non-chemical weed control and crop rotations. Diverse weed management slows the development of herbicide resistance and preserves the longevity of effective herbicides and tactics.

Within your area of expertise, what do you consider to be critical soybean research needs that can impact the profitability of farmers in the future?
We need to continue evaluating weather variability and how that influences agronomic management practices. 

Soybean Research Principal Investigator Profile – Alyssa Essman

Alyssa Essman, Assistant Professor – Weed Science, Ohio State University

Why did you decide to pursue a career that includes soybean research?
I grew up on a family farm, and I always liked science. During a college internship, I fell in love with weeds. They are really good at being plants. I enjoy soybean research, because I think soybeans are an interesting, resilient crop.

What research topic have you completed in the past or are working on now that could have or has had the most significant impact on soybean production?
My doctorate project looked at planting green in soybeans and the management needed to make it work, as well as the weed control advantages that it can provide. This is an area where farmer interest is increasing, and understanding the practice will help farmers implement planting green as a practice.

How has the soybean checkoff enhanced your ability to find answers to production problems for farmers?
Working with the soy checkoff has been a great partnership with a genuine interest in helping farmers. It supports research where we take the results and translate them directly to producer practices.

Within your area of expertise, what are the top two or three general recommendations you would offer farmers to improve their management practices?

  • Diversification is key. That diversification should include crop rotation, herbicide modes of action, cover crops and other cultural practices.
  • Get comfortable experimenting on a small scale to figure out if a practice will work.
  • Be on the lookout for new technology. Weed science is a rapidly advancing field, where we are looking at a variety of control options within and outside of the growing season to improve management. That technology will expand our options to manage weeds and herbicide resistance.

Within your area of expertise, what do you consider to be critical soybean research needs that can impact the profitability of farmers in the future?
Pigweed species are driving weed management right now, and seedbank management will be a huge component in the future of their management. Managing weeds long-term is different than other pests, because we have a sense of what species should be there in the future, and in what densities, based on what’s there now. Seedbank research will help us learn how to forecast issues and improve our control strategies.