Shawn Conley

Shawn Conley is a Professor and the State Soybean and Small Grain Specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He leads the UW Soybean Research Program (UW BeanTeam), focusing on generating science-based solutions for soybean and small grain production systems in Wisconsin and the Midwest. His work integrates research with extension outreach to deliver actionable knowledge to agricultural professionals and growers.

His research spans two domains: (1) addressing immediate production challenges identified by growers, and (2) investigating fundamental agronomic issues through long-term studies. Key areas include nitrogen fixation, cover crop integration, precision agriculture, and climate adaptation strategies. His program emphasizes translating findings into accessible extension publications and digital resources.

Recent publications highlight advancements in soybean nitrogen management, cover crop modeling, AI-driven decision tools, and planting date optimization. Collaborative projects with organizations like the Wisconsin Soybean Association and USDA demonstrate his commitment to applied research. He also coauthored the children’s book Coolbean the Soybean to engage younger audiences with agronomy.

Conley utilizes digital platforms (@badgerbean) and extension newsletters to disseminate findings, having spoken at over 830 events to nearly 70,000 stakeholders. His program has secured $8.0M+ in extramural funding and produced 151 refereed journal articles.