Research

North Dakota soybean production has exploded in recent years to the point that the state is now the fourth largest in planted and harvested soybean acres in the country. Both acreage and productivity have steadily increased. Part of the reason for that growth is research that is helping farmers be more productive while stewarding natural resources and improving sustainability.

The North Dakota Soybean Council (NDSC) is committed to supporting research designed to benefit all North Dakota soybean farmers. The NDSC invests 30-40 percent of the checkoff funds they receive into production research. That investment yields positive returns by helping farmers in the state better manage diseases, pests and improve their yields.

Getting this research into the hands farmers is a key component of the NDSC’s efforts. Learn more about the focus and the results from NDSC-supported soybean research by downloading the 2023 Research Update.

Variety Trials

So much of farmer’s success comes from choosing the right seed for their farms. Whether farms are highly productive or deal with disease issues, the right soybean varieties can make an enormous difference in yield.

The NDSC supports independent variety trials conducted by researchers and extension personnel at North Dakota State University (NDSU). These trials take place across North Dakota in a wide array of soil types and climatic conditions to help farmers make the best management decisions possible.

Visit NDSU’s Variety Trial Results Webpage to learn detailed information about trial results from your area.

Production Guides

Raising high-yielding soybeans takes sound management. Thanks in part to NDSC support, NDSU has developed a series of issue-specific production guides to help North Dakota better manage many common soybean challenges.

Soybean production guide

The basics of soybean production are often the most important factors in raising soybeans. Learn more about all aspects of soybean production by downloading the NDSU Soybean Production Field Guide.

Fungicides

Fungicides are increasingly being used to help get soybeans off to a good start in the face of disease and pest pressure. Find out more about the role fungicides can play.

Insects

Soybeans face pressure from a wide range of pests, including insects. Timely and effective management can be vital to producing good yields. Information on insect management can be found here.

Weed Control

Few challenges are currently more daunting for North Dakota farmers than weed control. Herbicide resistant weeds and evolving weed populations require farmers to stay up to date in order to effectively manage weed populations and the seed bank. NDSU’s Weed Control Guide is a good place to find information that can help farmers with the war on weeds.

Soil Health

Farmers increasingly recognize the importance of their soil. Healthy soil is productive, holds water, supports life below ground and reduces erosion. Having healthy soil is the goal of every farmer, but achieving it takes effort.

NDSU has compiled an array of information about tactics and practices that can positively impact soil health. This information, including a series of videos, can be found at https://www.ndsu.edu/soilhealth/

Soybean Fertility Circular

https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/crops/soybean-soil-fertility

NDSC Funded Research

On behalf of soybean farmers, North Dakota Soybean Council (NDSC) is committed to supporting research and extension projects/programs to advance the soybean industry, solve production issues and create opportunities. NDSC’s emphasis on addressing soybean production issues, expanding the use of soybeans, and enhancing and protecting soybean yields through genetic and agronomic practices contribute to farmers’ success today and tomorrow.

In North Dakota, soybean production acreage and productivity have steadily increased since the 1980s. Soybean-production research is one of the main drivers that played a pivotal role in soybean expansion, sustainability, and yield improvements in our state. Breeding for early season, high-yielding varieties that are resistant to iron deficiency chlorosis, diseases, and soybean cyst nematode is an example of checkoff-funded research providing solutions for many complex soybean-production issues.

The NDSC invests 30-40 percent of the checkoff funds into two strategic research priorities: production and plant breeding research and new uses research.

Production and Plant Breeding Research – Invest in production practices and plant breeding to improve the current and long-term success of North Dakota soybean farmers.
New Uses – Invest in new uses for North Dakota soy with the potential for high volume or high value demand.
North Dakota Soybean Council’s funding decision follows a strategic plan to allocate funds to the most critical agronomic, breeding, and new uses needs of North Dakota Soybean farmers.

All research projects fall within at least one of the following categories, each representing specific areas of soybean production and profitability:
• Research Partnerships
• Soybean Breeding Program
• Integrated Disease, Weed, and Insect Management
• Soil Health & Cover Crop
• Production Agronomy
• New Uses Research