Division Of Ag Soybean Breeding Program Seeking Input Through Survey
Soybeans at the Lon Mann Research Station in Marianna, Arkansas.
Photo: University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture/Ryan McGeeney
FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.
Arkansas growers are being asked their input on what qualities they’d like to see in soybeans bred by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
The survey is being conducted with support from the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. The survey can be found here: http://bit.ly/ARSoySurvey19.
The survey is part of a study by Alvaro Durand-Morat, assistant professor of agricultural economics and agribusiness, Leandro Mozzoni, soybean breeder, and John Carlin, director of the Arkansas Crop Variety Improvement program, part of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station.
Arkansas grows about 3 million acres of soybeans each year. In 2016, the crop had a value of nearly $1.5 billion.
“We’re encouraging Arkansas soybean producers to take part in an electronic survey to tell us their preferences,” Durand-Morat said. “The results of this study will be used to guide the Division of Agriculture’s soybean breeding program.”
The division’s soybean breeding program is led by Leandro Mozzoni. A native of Pergamino, Argentina, Mozzoni earned his bachelor’s degree in agronomy at Rosario National University in Argentina. He earned his master’s degree and Ph.D. at the University of Arkansas, both in crop, soil and environmental sciences with emphasis in soybean breeding and genetics.
“Our goal is to get a better understanding of what Arkansas soybean producers are looking for when choosing a variety,” Carlin said. “The more responses we receive, the better we can calibrate the breeding program to meet your needs.” ∆