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About Us
County Impact Statements - Conway County
Soybean Producers Adopt New Technology
Soybean producers in Conway County were averaging less than 20 bushels yield
per acre in 1997-98. There are approximately 25,000 to 30,000 acres grown of
which about 10,000 acres are irrigated. The weed problems, especially sicklepod,
were getting to be a problem that farmers were having major problems with.
Round-Up Ready soybeans were just coming onto the market, and some producers
were in need of additional information about varieties and production practices.
Our goal was to educate the producers on how to increase yields and control
weeds in soybeans.
Production meetings, crop tours, farm visits, and variety demonstrations were
planned and conducted to help farmers learn more about the Round-Up soybean
production system. County leaders, extension agents, specialist, and farm supply
personnel all worked together. A major part of the program involved a complete
soybean variety demonstration. The SOYVA program was utilized, soil testing,
irrigation scheduling, tillage, weed control timing of application, insect and
disease control were all parts of the demonstration.
This work has helped producers increase yields and control weeds more
effectively. In 2001 yield for Conway County is projected at about 27 bushels
per acre. When you take an average price of $5.25 per bushel x 7 bushel average
increase per acre x 30,000 acres, the economic impact to producers is in excess
of $1,000,000. Not only is this helping increase net farm income, but farmers
are spending less money on weed control and thereby increasing net farm income.
Tommy Thompson, county extension agent - agriculture, checks
soybean yields.
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Impacts
- Soybean producers need to increase net farm income and utilize new
technology.
- SOYVA and many other soybean production practices can be utilized to
assist producers with their educational needs.
- In 1997-1998 yields were less than 20 bushels per acre. Weed control
costs were over $35 per acre.
- Producers throughout the area wanted to know more about growing Round-Up
Ready soybeans.
Plans are to continue this effort and expand it to include early season
varieties and possibly some no-till production efforts.
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