Why is it that farmers competing in state and national soybean
yield contests routinely grow 60 or even 85 bu. per acre yields
when the national average is closer to 44? That’s the question
that motivated some ground-breaking research by Fred Below, a
crop physiologist at the University of Illinois. The wise-
cracking, caffeinated professor presented his top-line results
to a standing-room-only audience of farmers at last week’s 2013
Commodity Classic. There’s a lot more at stake in the answer to
this question than a simple scientific inquiry. To feed an extra
2 billion mouths over the next 40 years, "we need to double the
production of all grains," says Below. But at current rates of
productivity gains, it will take 100 years to reach 85 bu. per
acre. "Fortunately, there’s a lot of low-hanging fruit," says
Below. In fact, nearly every tactic Below tried – whether it was
adding more nitrogen or planting in denser rows – improved
yields. The best course of action, he says, is "intelligent
intensification," acad