Support for Technician Position with the Kentucky Soybean Variety Performance Program- Fiscal Year 2018

The Kentucky Soybean Variety Performance Tests are conducted to provide an unbiased and objective estimate of the relative yield performance of soybean varieties grown in Kentucky. Over 200 soybean varieties in the maturity groups II, III, IV, and V are expected to be entered in the 2017 tests by soybean growers, commercial companies and federal institutions. Performance of soybean cultivars is affected by many factors including location, weather pattern over the course of the growing season, soil type, time of planting, and agronomic management. A particular variety is usually adapted for a geographical area approximately 100 miles wide from north to south. Therefore, the best varieties in northern Kentucky may not be the best in southern parts of the state. For these reasons, the tests are conducted at 8 locations in the major soybean producing areas of Kentucky. The Technician will assist the project leader with planting, stand count, pest and disease controls over the course of the growing season, and preparing for harvest and collection of samples for seed composition. In addition, the Technician will operate and maintain plot research equipment, and will participate to field days and training sessions offered by the University of Kentucky. The support to the program provided by the technician will help optimize the program's resources. This will likely result in the timely release of the "2017 Soybean Variety Performance Tests" report by early December. The objective of the program is to provide this publication at a time when soybean producers in Kentucky need resources to help them select the best soybean varieties for their production systems. The bulletin can be downloaded from the program website, and is also available as printed copies at the University of Kentucky Extension Offices. In addition to providing strong support to the Kentucky Soybean Variety Performance Tests with all steps of soybean production and data collection, the position also offers educational and professional development with the University of Kentucky.