Spring 2012
 
 
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Welcome to the Bean Brief
Arkansas Soybean Update

The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board consists of soybean producers nominated by various producer organizations within Arkansas and appointed by the governor. Although board members contribute many hours of their time to administering the program, they serve without pay.

 

This board, with a goal of improving the sustainability and profitability of the soybean industry in Arkansas, is responsible for distributing funds from the checkoff. Funds are used primarily for research and extension projects conducted with the University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service.

 

This newsletter will help keep you involved with the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board and our activities throughout the year to support soybean farmers in Arkansas. When you visit www.TheMiracleBean.com, you will also get updates on yield, weather, commodities, field challenges and so much more. All of these features are available on our mobile site and can be used with any smartphone on the go!
Mid-South Farm & Gin Show

The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board recently took part in the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show in Memphis, TN.  This annual farm show brings the latest innovations, equipment, machinery and technology to the Cook Convention Center, where more than 95 percent of the show space is devoted to agriculture-related products and services. The show attracts more than 20,000 attendees in two days.

During the show on March 2-3, we handed out information about animal agriculture, 3-D educational brochures for the kids, metric conversion decals for toolboxes and much more. We also gave away calibration jugs, soy-based hand sanitizer and barbecue grill cleaner made with soy. During the show we asked farmers to sign up for this newsletter for a chance to win an iPad2. The lucky winner was Tina Moody of Searcy, AR. Congratulations, Tina!
New Bean On The Block

In January, Governor Beebe traveled to Mulberry to announce Arkansas' newest agricultural investment, edamame. As soybean farmers, we were happy to be a part of that investment through research and education. We have provided funding for the University of Arkansas breeding program for decades, especially Dr. Chen's research devoted to special varieties and types such as edamame. Dr. Pengyin Chen is a soybean breeder in the U of A Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences.

 

Arkansas will have a dozen soybean farmers growing edamame in the first year. Farmers in Crawford, Yell, Pope, Conway, Faulkner and White counties will grow around 900 acres and the crop will be planted as early as April. We expect harvest to take place from late July to early October, depending on weather conditions. For more information on edamame in Arkansas, visit www.TheMiracleBean.com.

2011 Soybean Yield Challenge
Congratulations to the winners of the Go for the Green Soybean Yield Challenge. The board sponsors this challenge, which gives us an opportunity to provide information and tools to our soybean producers, such as a look at how their neighbors reached top yield. We will reward the first farmer that raises 100 bushels/acre with $50,000. This year's contest had three winners:
  • Paul Bingham of Trumann won $10,000 in the Early Season Production System division with 93.96 bushels/acre.
  • Perry Galloway of Gregory won $10,000 in the Full Season division with 82.07 bushels/acre.
  • Terry Fuller of Poplar Grove won $7,500 in the Double Crop division with 55.94 bushels/acre.

The winners were announced and recognized at the Arkansas Soybean Association annual meeting in Brinkley. All soybean producers are eligible to enter. Look for the 2012 contest information to be announced on www.TheMiracleBean.com.

4-H and FFA Students Learn About Soybeans
4-H logoWe will be hosting a number of FFA and 4H students at P. Allen Smith's Garden Home Retreat in late April. The group will tour Allen's farm as part of the half day event. Students will learn about the soybeans in Arkansas, career opportunities in agriculture and even have the opportunity to plant our favorite new soybean, edamame. We're excited about this event and will be posting photos to our Facebook page throughout the event.