While harvest is just around the bend, farmers in the northern half of Minnesota are gearing up for Big Iron. The Big Iron Farm Show, held annually on the Red River Valley Fairgrounds in West Fargo, N.D., is the largest show in the upper Midwest. The show runs Sept. 10-12 and typically draws 70,000 visitors each year.

The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) will be displaying a variety of soybean plants, as well as pests that farmers should keep an eye out for this season, including soybean gall midge and Palmer amaranth.

“It is important that farmers aware of these pests, as well as the varieties that can be grown in northern Minnesota,” says David Kee, MSR&PC director of research. “By ensuring that farmers have awareness of different pests, this allows for the right decision to be made not only for the crop at hand, but the crops to come.”

As supplies last, free hitch pins are available to any checkoff-paying soybean farmer.

In a joint effort between MSR&PC and the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA), blueprints for the Soy Innovation Campus, a small grain crush and biodiesel facility in Crookston, will also be on display.  This campus is due to break ground in the summer of 2020 and could raise the value of soybeans in northern Minnesota by up to 20 cents per bushel.

“The Soy Innovation Campus is a perfect example of how Minnesota is such an adaptable state when it comes to hard times,” says MSR&PC CEO Tom Slunecka. “We are excited to show farmers and stakeholders what this facility has to offer the community, state, Midwest and farming community.”

Soybean innovation at its best can be found in booth number C-09 & C-10 all three days at Big Iron.