Farm-driven, data-backed: ISA's 2025 scoreboard

March 17, 2026 | Rosie Koch

Key takeaways

1. ISA provides agronomic and conservation support focused on profitability, productivity and long-term sustainability across all cropping systems.
2. Research and conservation efforts expanded in 2025, including 355 on-farm research sites, 16 research topics, 60,000+ acres of cover crop assistance and 119 edge-of-field practices (including completed and ongoing projects).
3. Checkoff dollars go further through leveraged external funding, allowing ISA to deliver more research, water monitoring and farmer-focused conservation outcomes.

Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) agronomists and conservation professionals are eager to help farmers achieve their unique operation goals. Agronomic and conservation assistance is available to farmers at no cost, due to support through checkoff dollars. Research topics span the cropping system, including soybeans, corn and small grains. Each project or program starts with the question of profitability at it’s core and grows to include farm productivity and sustainability.

Here’s how ISA worked alongside farmers in 2025:

Ag professionals

17 ag professionals directly supporting farmers through research, data processing and implementation

Partnerships

For every $1 of checkoff funds invested in RCFI projects, ISA brought in $1.40 through external funding in 2025

On-farm research

355 on farm research and survey sites focusing on nutrient management, crop protection and best management practices

Testing

16 research topics testing product efficacy and management factors

Water quality

371 sites voluntarily sampled and monitored for water quality

Conservation

118 edge-of-field conservation practices implemented that improve local environment and downstream water quality

Assistance

Provided agronomic assistance for more than 60,000 acres of cover crops

Projects

23 external industry projects funded

Written by Rosie Koch.

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