Here’s how local research is hoping to boost soybean production [Video]

A new Clemson University research project is starting next week with hopes of helping South Carolina farmers. 

The research will be that of one of the state’s most important crops: Soybeans. 

This crop, vital to the U.S. economy, is particularly important in the Southeast. 

It’s something Kirkman Finlay III, a soybean farmer here in the Midlands knows all too well. 

“From baby food to tortillas, there is no food product you buy in America that doesn’t have soybeans in it,” Finlay said.

The problem is, he has to rotate his soybean crop every third year because when there are periods of drought, like we just had from late June to early August, they can kill the crop. 

“Especially on drier ground, more sandy ground, I’ve seen ’em completely die,” Finlay said.

Researcher …