The Delaware Soybean Board (DSB) is pleased to announce the selection and funding of seven projects to address strategic needs of Delaware soybean farmers. These grants, totaling $53,762, are funded through the soybean checkoff program, where farmers collectively invest in research, promotion, and consumer and industry information to benefit all soybean farmers.

“We see significant results from research projects locally in better production practices that improve yields and protect the water and soil,” stated Cory Adkins, DSB Chair. “In addition, the investment is paying off financially. The latest economic evaluation shows an estimated rate of return of $12.34 for every dollar invested in the soybean program.”

Projects for 2020 include:

  • A Survey of Delaware Soybean Variety Tissue Nutrient Concentrations, Jarrod Miller and Amy Shober, University of Delaware – Plant and Soil Sciences, $5,625
  • Can Slug Egg Hatch Be Predicted? David Owens, University of Delaware – Plant and Soil Sciences, $7,186
  • Continued Survey and Characterization of Fungal Pathogens in Mid-Atlantic Soybean Production, Alyssa Koehler and Jake Jones, University of Delaware – Plant and Soil Sciences, $7,895
  • Evaluating Earlier Planting Dates for Increased Soybean Yields, Jarrod Miller, Alyssa Koehler and Cory Whaley, University of Delaware – Plant and Soil Sciences, $5,215
  • Potassium Sidedress on Soybeans, Jarrod Miller and Amy Shober, University of Delaware – Plant and Soil Sciences, $5,625
  • Reducing Deer Damage to Soybeans Using Forage Soybean as Biological Fencing, Jason Wight and Bo Zhang, University of Maryland – Plant Science, $8,378
  • Two Approaches for Palmer Amaranth Control, Mark VanGessel, University of Delaware – Plant and Soil Sciences, $13,838

Delaware farmers plant about 180,000 acres of soybeans each year and the crop generates approximately $60 million in value to the state. The Delaware Soybean Board consists of nine farmer-directors and the Secretary of Agriculture. Funded through a one-half of one percent assessment on the net market value of soybeans at their first point of sale, the checkoff works with partners in the value chain to identify and capture opportunities that increase farmer profit potential.