The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) is entering the next chapter of its farmer-led, checkoff-funded research program. The Council is proud to announce that soil scientist Sergio Cabello Leiva has taken the helm as the organization’s new research director.  

“I’m excited for the opportunity to connect with growers and apply research and transfer that knowledge to farmers,” Cabello Leiva said. “This position feeds a lot of my interests as a researcher.” 

In his role, Cabello Leiva will be stationed in MSR&PC’s Mankato headquarters and oversee MSR&PC’s longstanding research program, which invests checkoff funds toward research that addresses agronomic and production issues facing growers across Minnesota.  

“Sergio is going to bring new expertise, energy and vision to the Council’s research program,” MSR&PC CEO Tom Slunecka said. “With his background and enthusiasm for agronomy, I know our farmers are excited to work with him, and we’re thrilled to welcome Sergio to our team.”   

Cabello Leiva said his research focus areas will prioritize weed control; fertilizer-use efficiency; breeding and genetics; crop rotation; and disease and insect pressure, with an end goal to improve yields and increase farmer profitability.  

“In order to have good soybean production, we have to have a good cropping system – and that applies to any crop,” he said. “The challenges for me are integrating farmers’ needs and challenges. I’ll be looking for the best research to solve those programs and to focus on farmers’ needs when it comes to quality or yield or market needs.”  

Cabello Leiva hit the ground running in his first days with MSR&PC, visiting several operations, including MSR&PC Secretary Pat Sullivan’s farm. Cabello Leiva is eager to travel the state this growing season and survey Minnesota’s unique geographic diversity. Thanks to checkoff advancements, he cited as an example, soybean production in areas in northwest Minnesota has increased by roughly 300% over the past quarter-century. Cabello Leiva will continue promoting Council research projects that improve the farm economy while adding his own agronomic voice.   

Earlier this spring, the Council formally approved 20 projects for funding, including the University of Minnesota’s breeding program, which the Council has supported for more than 50 years.  

“In terms of weather and soil, there’s no one recipe for the entire state,” Cabello Leiva said. “There are different varieties, seeding rates, diseases – and that’s why research is so important. Everybody involved in the checkoff program should be proud of what it’s accomplished.”   

A native of Central Chile, Cabello Leiva earned an agronomy degree and master’s degree in his home country before moving to North Dakota, where he received his Ph.D. in plant sciences from North Dakota State University. An expert in seed production and applied fieldwork, he was previously employed in NDSU’s Soil & Crop Nutrition Research Program. Sergio currently lives with his wife, Becky, in Shakopee.  

“I’ve worked in a lot of different roles in soil and cropping systems with farmers and researchers,” he said. “I’m very excited about this new position and the chance to communicate to growers the value of checkoff research and how it can improve their profitability.”