A big early-week rain brought big crowds to the annual Big Iron Farm & Construction Show at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds in West Fargo, N.D. For the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC), grower leaders maximized the event by chatting with the local producers about soybean research and their challenges and wins this growing season.  

“It’s great to see all the farmers from northern Minnesota that I know and meet many that I don’t know as well and talk about the crops and how they’re going to yield this year,” said Dave Garry, MSR&PC District 1, 2 & 3 director from Thief River Falls. “It’s kind of a last little hurrah or pre-game to harvest.” 

Garry was joined by fellow Council Director Corey Hanson in the Minnesota Soybean booth throughout the three-day event, which was held on the eve of soybean harvest throughout the region. Garry says there’s some optimism heading into harvest despite the dry conditions that have persisted throughout the region this summer.  

“The drought has been the biggest issue by far throughout the northern valley, and everyone’s been talking to everyone about how much or how little rain they’ve gotten,” said Garry. “But there’s still a lot of positivity about the yields they’re initially seeing despite a tough growing season.” 

Beyond drought, there were other agronomic concerns for the northern growers, and MSR&PC Director of Research Sergio Cabello Leiva made sure to spend as much time as possible visiting with growers and educating them about past and current checkoff-funded research on those issues.  

“Because of the drought we’re hearing a lot about spider mites, but on the other hand for the areas that got more rain they are dealing with a lot of weed pressure,” said Cabello Leiva. “I’ve gotten a lot of good feedback, and I can take that back to my research group and help shape our research priorities.” 

Just as Big Iron is known for showcasing the latest and greatest in farm implements and equipment, Cabello Leiva says the annual show is important for Minnesota Soybean to showcase the latest soybean checkoff research.  

“This is a great opportunity for us to show the farmers all the great research the soybean checkoff is investing in and talk about it firsthand with those farmers,” he said. “And not only just research, but all the different areas that their checkoff is being used for, such as new uses and product development.” 

Joining the MSR&PC contingency at Big Iron were several members of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association leadership team, including President Ryan Mackenthun and Vice President Kyle Jore. For Mackenthun it was his first visit to Big Iron, and the name lived up its hype. 

“I didn’t realize just how big this event was and just on my walk through the show to the booth I couldn’t believe how much there is to see here,” said Mackenthun, who made the three-hour trip from his farm in Brownton. “It’s fantastic.” 

Mackenthun made the most of his one-day visit to the north doing interviews with the local media and engaging with everyone from farmers to high school students on field trips to the event.  

“I actually had somebody interview from the South Dakota School of Mines, which was unique especially to me, as my father-in-law went to school there,” Mackenthun said. “The conversations are my favorite part and creating that connection through talking about agriculture and issues that are important to me as a soybean grower.”