The Illinois Soybean Summit

The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) will host the 2013 Illinois Soybean Profitability Summit, "Shape Your Future as a Soybean Grower," at Illinois State University's Bone Student Center, March 4, in Normal, Ill.  Funded in part by the Illinois soybean checkoff, the event encourages farmers to learn new techniques and innovative practices to boost yields and maximize profits.

The one-day conference brings Illinois soybean farmers together with industry representatives from many major crop input suppliers and manufacturers for valuable learning and networking opportunities, plus an on-site trade show.

Featured speakers include John Baize, president of John C. Baize & Associates, an international agricultural trade and policy consulting firm; well-known field agronomist Ken Ferrie, who operates an independent agronomic consulting business in central Illinois; Steve Johnson, an Iowa State University Extension farm management specialist; Darin Newsom, senior market analyst with DTN; and Marion Calmer, a farmer from Alpha, Ill., and president of Calmer Research Center and Calmer Corn Heads.

Four breakout sessions will be offered.  Session speakers include John McGillicuddy, an independent agronomist from Iowa City, Iowa; Marion Calmer; and from the University of Illinois, Fred Below/Jason Haegele and Gary Schnitkey/Nick Paulson.

"We are looking forward to our second annual summit," says Bill Wykes, soybean farmer from Yorkville, Ill., and ISA board chairman.  "It is a great opportunity for farmers, consultants and agronomists to learn and network with a special emphasis on yield improvement and profitability."

The Illinois Soybean Summit is free to Illinois farmers.  Special lodging rates are available.  Registration is limited to the first 350 registrants by the Feb. 19 deadline. Reserve your seat at www.soyyieldchallenge.com or call 888-826-4011.

The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) represents more than 45,000 soybean farmers in Illinois through the state soybean checkoff and membership efforts.  The checkoff funds market development, soybean production and profitability research, promotion, issues management and analysis, communications and education.  Membership and advocacy efforts support Illinois soybean farmer interests in local areas, Springfield and Washington, D.C.  ISA programs are designed to ensure Illinois soy is the highest quality, most dependable, sustainable and competitive in the global marketplace. For more information, visit the website www.ilsoy.org.