The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council’s annual research survey allows soybean farmers to share what is important to them, directing project priorities for the coming year.
What issues are important to Missouri soybean farmers this year? What challenges are they facing? What questions do they have about their operations? Which area of research is needed most? These questions are asked by the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council (MSMC) board of directors and answered by soybean growers across the state each year. Results from the annual research survey provide invaluable insights that direct priorities for the coming year’s research projects.
“The research survey is a tool that helps focus decision-makers – researchers, board members and the entire Missouri Soybeans team – on what is top of mind for growers today,” says Justin Rone, past chairman of the MSMC Research Committee.
The survey is a method of streamlined communication between soybean growers and Missouri Soybeans.
“It is a direct connection between these decision-makers and farmers, providing an opportunity for them to guide our work and voice concerns or present exciting new ideas,” Rone says.
This robust online questionnaire is distributed through both text and email methods to soybean producers across the state. Its purpose is to provide insight on which areas of research are currently top of mind and would provide the greatest return on investment for Missouri soybean growers. The survey covers topics ranging from agronomy and crop management, new technology, breeding and variety development, trait discovery and more.
“Our team develops this survey each year to find out where soybean producers are experiencing the biggest hurdles,” says Blake Barlow, director of research and agronomy for Missouri Soybeans. “We want to know how we can direct research priorities to help with those hardships they are having in each area of their operations.”
Respondents have the opportunity to share challenges related to disease pressure, yields, rainfall tolerance, pest management and more. Obtaining this input remains a priority for MSMC board members year after year.
“We want to take a fresh look at the current environment in which our Missouri soybean farmers are competing to be economically viable,” says Trent Haggard, chairman of the MSMC Research Committee. “MSMC uses the survey to gauge that current environment and producer perspectives so we properly allocate research dollars.”
Each of the 13 MSMC farmer-leaders bring a unique perspective to the board. Just as each region throughout the state experiences its own highs and lows, board members experience the same. However, the research survey allows for feedback from every Missouri soybean grower from the northwest corner to the Bootheel, expanding the board’s diverse outlook and maximizing research efforts.
“We are producers and are paying checkoff dollars too, but every other farmer needs the opportunity to provide input,” Haggard says. “It is with that combined input we have a North Star guiding the priorities on which we focus.”
MSMC’s new strategic plan focuses a section on research objectives, which includes adding value to the soybean within the state, increasing transparent communication with farmers and funding relevant agronomic research to benefit Missouri soybean growers’ bottom lines. The research survey results play a key role in these efforts and direct the lens through which research proposals are considered.
2024 Research Survey Results
As Missouri soybean farmers ranked research priority areas, agronomy and crop management rose to the top this year, followed by new technologies, breeding and variety development and trait discovery.
Within the area of agronomic management practices, farmers would like to see more research surrounding weed, disease and insect management with a focus on on-farm testing.
“Pest management rose to the top in this category,” Barlow says. “The No. 1 priority was weed management, which is no surprise with the continued increase in herbicide resistance. This was followed by concerns of pest pressures.”
Yield and genetic improvement was rated the highest breeding priority. Farmers also want to see trait discovery research concentrated on disease tolerance, soybean cyst nematode resistance and drought tolerance.
When looking at technology, drone research is top of mind, especially as it relates to practices such as herbicide application, fungicide application and cover crop seeding.
The Resulting Research
Following the research survey, MSMC distributes an annual Request for Proposal (RFP). This process includes a seminar outlining survey results and the subsequent research priorities.
“We invite researchers across the state — whether that’s from the University of Missouri, Missouri State University, University of Central Missouri, Northwest Missouri State University or other researchers — to learn more about the research proposals for which we’re looking,” Barlow says. “They’ll write a proposal for a research project for which they are wanting funding.”
Although results are not a one-size-fits-all approach, if the research proposal addresses an issue soybean farmers are ranking as a top area of concern, the likelihood of the project being funded is higher. ROI is more than money in this instance. The end result is highly considered when accepting proposals, Barlow says.
“On our end, we’re looking for projects that provide a true return on investment for soybean farmers,” he explains. “At the end of the research that is being conducted, we want a tool or knowledge base farmers can use to increase production.”
Since the main objective of the research proposals is to benefit Missouri soybean farmers, their input through survey results plays an important role in choosing projects to fund and pursue.
“MSMC’s research takes a different approach than that of industry,” Barlow says. “Industry has great tools for farmers, but most of them are for profit. MSMC’s approach identifies ways growers can directly increase production. Knowing what hurdles soybean farmers are facing across the state allows the board of directors to make well-rounded research investment decisions.”
