Missouri soybean farmers will have the opportunity to plant seven new varieties of soybeans as a result of partnerships supported by the soybean checkoff. The new varieties are all products of soybean breeding partnerships between the University of Missouri and Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council. The new soybean varieties include conventional options and several with glyphosate resistance.

NEW SOYBEAN VARIETIES: Missouri farmers have 7 new soybean options for the field this spring. Contact the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council to try one on your farm.

"Bringing the results of farmer-funded research back to our soybean growers is a key component of investing soybean checkoff dollars wisely," said Gary Wheeler, CEO and executive director for the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council. "Partnerships like these allow farmers to get the greatest return on their checkoff investment in the form of new technologies and ultimately new soybean varieties. We look forward to seeing these varieties in the hands of growers in Missouri and across the Midwest."

For growers interested in assisting with production of these soybeans in the 2016 growing season, very limited quantities are available through Missouri Crop Improvement Association. The new soybean varieties are expected to be available in quantities for commercial sale following the 2016 growing season.

The seven soybean varieties have maturity ratings from 4.1 to 5.1. The glyphosate tolerant varieties include two with 4.9 maturity ratings, one with a 5.1 maturity rating and two Roundup Ready 2 Yield® varieties with maturity ratings of 4.1 and 4.4. The two conventional varieties have maturity ratings of 4.3 and 5.1. Soybean varieties in maturity groups 3, 4 and 5 are most typically grown in Missouri. Maturity groups from late group 2 to early group 6 have seen success in the state according to University of Missouri Extension.

In Missouri, the Missouri Crop Improvement Association will have the commercialization and distribution rights for the conventional and glyphosate-tolerant varieties. Distribution plans are also underway for areas outside Missouri and will be announced as these varieties become available to farmers in those areas.

Farmers interested in growing these varieties for seed production should contact the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council at (573) 635-3819 or email [email protected].

These varieties were developed through the efforts of soybean breeders, researchers and their partners at the University of Missouri and funded primarily by the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council and the soybean checkoff dollars paid by Missouri farmers. Each year, Missouri soybean farmers dedicate a portion of their checkoff dollars in research into new soybean varieties and soy-based products, as well as on-farm technologies and management practices.

The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council is a statewide, farmer-led organization working to improve opportunities for Missouri soybean farmers through a combination of research, outreach, education and market development efforts. To learn more, visit the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council online at mosoy.org.

Source: Missouri Soybean Association