Integrated Crop Management News

Links to these articles are strongly encouraged. Articles may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Integrated Crop Management News, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. If articles are used in any other manner, permission from the author is required.

Possible Breakdown of SCN Resistance Topic of New Webcast

July 28, 2012
SCN females on roots of SCN resistant soybean

Since the early 1990s, almost all soybean varieties resistant to the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) have had the same resistance genes, from a breeding line called PI 88788. As a result, SCN populations have developed increased reproduction on PI 88788. Some have said that PI 88788 SCN resistance is "failing"; Iowa State University data obtained with soybean checkoff funding indicate otherwise. A new webcast describes the situation and discusses the results of numerous field experiments conducted in Iowa illustrating the effects of elevated SCN reproduction on yield of SCN-resistant soybean varieties.

Take Precautions When Feeding Drought-Damaged Corn as Silage

July 24, 2012

When a corn plant is stunted, or not growing normally, nitrates can build up in the plant. Typically nitrogen that is taken up by the corn plant is converted to amino acids — the building blocks of protein — but in the stressed plant this conversion does not occur. And that's why producers need to know how to handle and feed drought-damaged corn in silage form, according to Steve Ensley of Iowa State University's Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine (VDPAM) department.

Symptoms of SCN Damage Apparent Early, Yield Loss Likely Great in 2012

July 23, 2012
Mid yellowing and stunting of plants caused by SCN

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is widely considered to be one of the most damaging soybean pathogens in Iowa every year. Damage from SCN is usually much greater when soil moisture is limiting. The early onset of stunting and yellowing caused by SCN damage in Iowa this season seems to indicate that yield loss to this pathogen is going to be significant - perhaps even on SCN-resistant soybean varieties.

Soybean Potential in Drought Conditions

July 20, 2012

By Andy Lenssen, Department of Agronomy

Farmers and non-farmers alike are asking the questions, "What is going to happen to soybeans this year? What level of yield can we expect?" Given the lack of rain in Iowa and much of the U.S. soybean belt, current prices and high demand, these are legitimate questions. 

Insurance Coverage for Drought-Damaged Crops

July 13, 2012

By William Edwards, Department of Economics

Nearly 90 percent of the corn and soybean acres in Iowa are covered by multiple peril crop insurance. Drought damage is an insurable loss under these policies. Producers should consult with their crop insurance agents before harvesting or destroying any drought-damaged crops, however. 

Scout for Twospotted Spider Mites This Summer

July 9, 2012
Prolonged spider mite feeding in soybeans

A few places in Iowa and surrounding states have reported heavy twospotted spider mite populations in soybeans, and the first reports of spider mites in Iowa corn started this week.

New Safety Guidelines Developed for Two-tank Anhydrous Ammonia Wagons

July 3, 2012

By Mark Hanna, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Size and capacity of farm equipment keeps getting larger and fertilizer equipment is no exception. Each year in Iowa approximately a billion pounds of nitrogen is applied as anhydrous ammonia. As equipment has gotten larger, many dealers are now using multi-tank systems with two anhydrous ammonia tanks mounted on to a single wagon running gear. 

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