Soybean and Grain Research and Promotion Board members back row from left: Kellon Lee, Joey Olivier, Scott Wiggers Jr., Wil Miller, Burch Pierce. Front row from left: Joey Boudreaux, Charles Cannatella, Darrell VandeVen.

No two years are the same. If you’ve been farming for long, you’ve heard that said and likely have seen it proven true. After multiple years of wet weather challenges, 2021’s harvest was dry (thankfully) and now 2022 is the hottest and driest (not as thankful) we’ve seen in some years. That is why continuous research and promotion is so important.

As your checkoff board, the Louisiana Soybean and Grain Research and Promotion Board serves as Louisiana’s wheat and corn checkoff and facilitates the national checkoffs for soybeans and grain sorghum in Louisiana. This important responsibility allows farmers to collectively administer funds for research specific to the needs of Louisiana while contributing to the national and worldwide market promotion of these staple crops.

Often when the board is reviewing projects in November and January, we may question projects that we have not seen the cause for in a few years. To have research on drought tolerance and flood tolerance going on at the same time may seem silly to some. 2021 and 2022 say otherwise.

That is why many years ago farmers began to see the need for a greater research and promotional effort through a checkoff. It is necessary that we have research and promotional relationships in place for the betterment of all. When the markets, weather, disease, pests or other uncertainties occur, we have research and promotion continuing to carry us through. That is accomplished with your contribution every time your crop is delivered to the market. Thank you!

This continuous research is also paying off in combating the exponential spike in input prices. Research helps us find efficiencies the average farmer’s pocketbook might not be able to carry. We see this in our best management practices and variety selection trials. We see it at field days showcasing innovative new rotations from row-rice to soybeans. We also see it in the numerous input trails that select for different herbicide/pesticide/fungicide programs, fertility programs, or irrigation strategies that we fund annually. With inputs where they are in 2022, we can see how valuable one saved application or one saved watering can be on a fuel bill.

We hope in 2022-2023 to be more proactive on challenges before they arrive. The only way we can do that is to hear from you. The LSGRPB invites all checkoff participants to make their voice heard. Our nominations for the board come through organizations such as Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation and the Louisiana Cotton and Grain Association. Get involved now to let us know what we can do better to meet your needs. No matter the size, crop mix, location or demographic of your farm — if you farm soybeans, corn, wheat or milo — you have a place at this table.

As your chairman, I hope you find some area of your farm that is improved from scientific, credible, data-driven research, and you see how promoting these Louisiana crops worldwide benefits us all. Please attend the next board meeting Nov. 17-18 in Baton Rouge at the LSU AgCenter. You can hear reports on funded projects, review new proposals and provide feedback on the needs of your farm and how research and promotion could address them. I hope you have a blessed year and many more to come.

Sincerely,

Charles Cannatella

Chairman, Louisiana Soybean and Grain Research and Promotion Board