More than 50 ASA members from eight states gathered in St. Paul, Minn., this week to discuss ways to increase profitability at the inaugural ASA Soybean Marketing and Production College.

University of Arkansas Associate Professor and weed scientist Dr. Jason Norsworthy speaks on glyphosate-resistant weeds at the inaugural Soybean Marketing and Production College this week in St. Paul, Minn. (ASA photo by Patrick Delaney)

Sponsored by Bayer CropScience, AGCO and Farm Credit, the College opened with a keynote address on the general outlook for the grain and biofuels markets from Ohio State University economist Dr. Matthew Roberts, followed by an update on the soy family's Sustainability Assurance Protocol from the U.S. Soybean Export Council's Brent Babb and Tom Gahm from Farmer Lumpe & McLelland.

After a lunchtime presentation on eLegacy, ASA's newest member benefit that enables members to better plan for future generations of their operations, attendees heard an in-depth exploration from Meister Media's K. Elliott Nowels, CropLife Media Group's Paul Schrimpf, AGCO's Jason O'Flanagan, and Dr. Peter Kyveryga of the Iowa Soybean Association's On-Farm Network, on how advances in precision agriculture can help farmers be more productive and profitable.

The College wrapped up with an engaging discussion of herbicide resistance from three leading academic researchers: Dr. Jason Norsworthy of the University of Arkansas, Dr. Aaron Hager of the University of Illinois, and Dr. Christy Sprague of Michigan State University.

"Maximizing the profitability of producers is one way ASA is meeting its mission," said ASA Vice President Bob Worth of Lake Benton, Minn. "The type of education provided this week is something that can really benefit soybean farmers in their operations every day."

ASA thanks it's sponsors for this inaugural event: AGCO, Bayer CropScience, and Farm Credit, as well the farmer-members of the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board, Delaware Soybean Board, Kansas Soybean Commission, New York Corn and Soybean Growers Association, South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, Tennessee Soybean Promotion Board, and the host Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council.