Soybean Research Verification Program - Three Decades of Educating Arkansas Soybean Growers.

The 2011 growing season was the twenty-ninth year for the Soybean Research Verification Program (SRVP). The SRVP is an interdisciplinary effort between growers, county Extension agents, Extension specialists, and researchers from the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. The SRVP is an on-farm demonstration of all the research-based recommendations required to grow soybeans profitably in Arkansas. The specific objectives of the program are: 1.) to verify research-based recommendations for profitable soybean production in all soybean producing areas of Arkansas. 2.) To develop a database for economic analysis of all aspects of soybean production. 3.) To demonstrate that consistently high yields of soybeans can be produced economically with the use of available technology and inputs. 4.) To identify specific problems and opportunities in Arkansas soybeans for further investigation. 5.) To promote timely implementation of cultural and management practices among soybean growers. 6.) To provide training and assistance to county agents with limited expertise in soybean production.   The SRVP links soybean growers to Extension and Extension to research. Together, a team is formed with the goal of increasing soybean profitability in the state of Arkansas. Results obtained from the SRVP include examination of University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture recommended production practices on commercial-size fields, strengthening Extension’s knowledge on soybean production and increased technology transfer as it relates to soybean production efficiency in Arkansas.