For Half A Century, Soybean Performance Tests Have Helped Farmers Make Decisions

By: High Plains Midwest Ag Journal

The Iowa Crop Improvement Association, an Iowa State University affiliated nonprofit, is marking the 50th anniversary of its Iowa Crop Performance Tests for Soybeans, which offers Iowa farmers independent information to help select the best soybeans for their needs.

Founded in 1902, the Iowa Crop Improvement Association is a nonprofit organization affiliated with Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and designated as the official seed-certifying agency in Iowa.

“The soybean test is a tool to help Iowa farmers make decisions, but seed companies also participate so they can promote their products to farmers,” said Jim Rouse, executive director of ICIA, who holds a staff appointment in Iowa State’s Department of Agronomy.

From 200 to 250 soybean varieties, selected by seed companies or ICIA staff, are tested each year. The varieties are tested within three districts encompassing all of Iowa—north, central and south, and each district has five testing sites. Varieties are subdivided based on maturity, to include both early and full-season testing.