BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — A research study that measures how sustainable improvements affect crop performance, environmental impact and profitability has begun its second year, with 85 Illinois soybean growers participating.

The STAARS (Strategies Targeting American Agricultural Resources and Sustainability) initiative will help respond to growing demand from policymakers, consumers and other stakeholders for up-to-date data, in addition to providing key farm management information.

STAARS is sponsored by the United Soybean Board, Iowa Soybean Assoc., Illinois Soybean Assoc. and four other state soybean groups. The study will continue through 2013.

“The public is becoming more educated about and interested in how their food is produced,” said Ron Moore, Illinois Soybean vice chair for sustainability. “They are asking why we do the things we do.

“STAARS will provide us with data to tell consumers how a change in tillage practices, for example, impacts resource conservation and sustainability. STAARS will help American agriculture to take the lead in demonstrating the sustainability of U.S. crop production.”

Study results will be used to achieve goals such as estimating the energy use of new practices, or changing to a different price of equipment. The data will also be used to determine the cost-effectiveness of various fertilizer programs, for example.

“STAARS monitors performance from the time the combine pulls out of the field after harvesting the previous year’s crop, until the new crop is delivered to its primary point of delivery off the farm,” according to Martha Zwonitzer, technical assistance manager for Iowa Soybean and project leader of STAARS.

“Every participant wants to maximize the profit from each acre, while maintaining or increasing long-term productivity. The large sample size and three-year study period will help producers make more informed management decisions.”

Data collected from the STAARS project will be shared with collaborators such as the National Resource Conservation Service, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, watershed groups, land grant institutions, USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and the Nature Conservancy, to identify areas of concern in participating states.

Participating farmers will receive aerial images of their cornfields that are in rotation with soybeans, fall silk nitrate testing and energy and nutrient management plans. Illinois producers and others may still enroll in STAARS by contacting Zwonitzer at 515-238-2534 or via email at mzwonitzer@iasoybeans.com