Hundreds of soybean producers saw first-hand the work being done by University of Arkansas researchers and Cooperative Extension Service specialists and county agents to improve soybean yields and economic returns during 1996.

The UofA sponsored field days at its Northeast Research and Extension Center at Keiser, the Rice Research and Extension Center near Stuttgart, the Southeast Branch Station at Rohwer, the Cotton Branch Station at Marianna, the Pine Tree Branch Station near Colt and on Charlie Starks' farm in Miller County.

The field days often highlighted research and Extension projects funded by the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board.

Producers also toured farms taking part in the Extension Soybean Research Verification Program, which is supported by grower checkoff funds. Since 1983, the verification program has been showing farmers that research-based technology can increase their yields and income.

Farmers heard about the latest research and Extension studies during the Arkansas Soybean Research Conference in December at Brinkley.

UofA scientists are currently sharing information with growers are farm meetings around the state.

Other events for farmers being partly funded by the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board are the Tri-State Soybean Forum in January at Delhi, Louisiana, and the Southern Soybean Conference in February at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.