The soy checkoff and Plant Management Network will now feature updates on soybean research projects as a five minute summary webcast, which will provide soybean farmers with the information they need to make appropriate production decisions in a quick, easy-to-follow format.

"The webcasts provide valuable information to help soybean farmers better manage pests, diseases and other crop stresses," said Jimmy Sneed United Soybean Board communications chair and Mississippi soybean farmer.

"Focus on Soybeans" webcasts provide farmers the latest news on production research in five minutes or less.

Shorter webcasts will now provide more convenience for some farmers, yet the full-length versions, which include more science-related information, still remain available for soybean farmers who prefer the longer format.

New webcasts are posted on the last Monday of every month to www.UnitedSoybean.org, accessible via the "Focus on Soybeans" sign on the homepage. All U.S. soybean farmers have free access to the full-length webcasts for two months. The five-minute summary versions will be accessible at all times.

"We are pleased to work with the USB and the soy checkoff on this effort to help U.S. farmers, crop consultants and others to manage their soybean crops more profitably," said Greg Tylka, Ph.D., professor and extension specialist at Iowa State University and chair of the Focus on Soybeans editorial committee.

"Through this convenient, practical outlet, we provide research-based crop production and protection information to help U.S. farmers increase soybean yields in this growing season and beyond," he said.

"With cuts in resources such as extension, it becomes increasingly important that farmers have other resources to turn to help us boost our production," Sneed said. "That boost in production can help increase the profitability of every U.S. soybean farmer, which has always been a goal of the soy checkoff."