Wisconsin soybean farmers look to the future at area conferences

After battling the droughts and challenges of the 2012 growing season, Wisconsin soybean farmers are preparing for 2013.

At a series of Area Soybean Conferences, growers will head into the New Year with workshops addressing a wide range of agricultural issues and concerns.

Conference topics include "The 2012 Drought Impact on the 2013 Soybean Crop" and "New Soil Fertility Recommendations for Soybeans." A trio of area conferences is scheduled for Dec. 11-13 in Holmen, Janesville and Ripon.

One of the presenting experts, UW-Extension Soybean Specialist Dr. Shawn Conley, explains the timeliness and importance of these conferences.

Other conference sessions will be devoted to marketing, and the National Soybean Sustainability Initiative.

Also, as Dr. Conley notes, "Growers will learn how potential risks, such as drought, impact seed quality, crop fertility and soybean cyst nematode."

The latter is a soybean plant disease that costs U.S. growers $1 billion annually in crop losses.

Dr. Conley adds, "We will also discuss soybean growers' efforts to document and communicate stewardship and sustainability metrics."

For more information about the 2012 Area Soybean Conferences, visit the website for the Wisconsin Soybean Association and the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board at www.wisoybean.org.