In 2005, the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee (MSPC) and Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) launched Soybean 2010, a project to teach improved practices to producers. During the project, Michigan soybean growers were surveyed three times. The objective of this research was to conduct a survey of Michigan soybean growers to identify production practices, determine where producers go to find out agronomic information related to soybean production, and determine trends in Michigan soybean production practices by comparing results from the 2005, 2008, and 2011 surveys. The results of the surveys show that respondents use seed/chemical suppliers, grower meetings, and MSU Extension for information. 27% of respondents report making a change as a result of Soybean 2010. The results of the surveys also show that average seeding rates have dropped, growers are switching from drills to planters, and they are using inoculants and fungicidal seed coatings in greater numbers. They are also moving away from 7.5 inch row widths.Overall, the practices of Michigan producers have moved closer to the recommendations of the MSPC and MSUE since 2005.
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