Best Benefit Ever: Benchmarking a Bounty of Soybeans

A joint project between the American Soybean Association and FarmLink is aiming to help members make the most of their soybean crop.

What’s the benefit? The American Soybean Association  (opens in a new tab) (ASA) has discovered an $11 billion gap between what soybean farmers harvested last year and what they could harvest on an annual basis. In comes FarmLink  (opens in a new tab)‘s benchmarking tools, which allow farmers to project potential performance for their fields and maximize yields by planting crops in the best possible places. Combined, the two organizations will offer members benefits for using FarmLink’s tools through “Operation Benchmark.”  (opens in a new tab) FarmLink will contribute funding to ASA, contingent on farmer participation in the plan, for use in ASA’s educational and advocacy pursuits.

Why it works for members: Operation Benchmark brings the benefits of data to the farm, increasing efficiencies for members taking part in the initiative. In the words of ASA Director and Ag Data Working Group Chair Ron Moore: “Our members understand that one of the most important tools to increase yields is the application of data to their farming practices.”

Other benefits: ASA also offers members  (opens in a new tab) a subscription to its quarterly magazine, American Soybean; discounts on GM, Chrysler, and Ford vehicles; and scholarship opportunities for members’ children and grandchildren pursuing degrees in agriculture.

(fotokostic/ThinkStock)