What is the Ideal Fall Planting Date for Cover Crops?
It's August, and farmers are preparing for harvest, which for some includes planting cover crops. What is the ideal fall planting date and seeding rate for planting cereal rye or clover cover crops in Illinois? Nathan Johanning, Extension Educator with the University of Illinois, has been conducting field trials across the state to answer these questions.
Research Update: Documenting the Extent of Resistance to Group 15 Herbicides in Illinois Waterhemp Population
Travis Wilke shares an update on an Illinois Soybean Association-funded project documenting waterhemp resistance to Group 15 herbicides, noting progress in seed testing, a new discriminating dose, and summer screening plans.
Strategies for Maintaining Crop Yield Among Low Commodity Prices
Dr. Connor Sible presented "Strategies for Crops Among Low Commodity Prices" at a recent field day, covering actionable steps you can take now and what to plan for next spring.
Illinois Farmers Needed: Contribute to Research on Conservation Practices
Prof. Kaiyu Guan’s team at the University of Illinois seeks 20 farmers for a study on conservation practices, offering analysis of the environmental benefits of adopting major climate-smart methods.
Sign Up for ILSoyAdvisor’s Upcoming Webinar: “Navigating Soil Health Tests”
Join Dr. Andrew Margenot and Heidi Allen Asensio from UIUC for a webinar on soil health testing. Learn about test types, interpreting results, and using them for management decisions on Aug 22, 10 AM CT via Zoom.
Suspect Red Crown Rot in Your Soybeans? Get a Free Diagnosis Now.
Researchers are on the lookout for Red Crown Rot (RCR) across Illinois. If you suspect RCR in your fields, send your diseased samples to the USDA-ARS lab in Urbana for free. Help us monitor and identify new areas in Illinois where this pathogen has spread.
Understanding the Crop Injury Risks of PRE Herbicides in Early-Planted Soybeans
As farmers continue to plant soybeans earlier, there are concerns about preemergence (PRE) herbicide injury to emerging seedlings. Supported by the Illinois Soybean Association, the University of Illinois Crop Sciences department is evaluating different PRE herbicides on early-planted soybeans to give farmers access to crop injury ratings for better weed management decisions.
Which Insect Pests and Diseases Cause the Most Damage to Soybean Stems in Illinois?
Researchers collected over 200 diseased stems from 59 counties in Illinois between 2022 and 2023 to address gaps in understanding soybean stem pests and diseases. Based on this data, Dr. Nick Seiter highlights the significance of dectes stem borer in no-till fields in south-central Illinois, while Dr. Jason Bond discusses prevalent diseases such as fusarium, stem-canker, and charcoal rot across various counties, offering management strategies to combat these issues.
Soybean Phytophthora Stem and Root Rot Resistance Genes Have Become Less Effective
Managing soybean Phytophthora stem and root rot starts with variety resistance. A recent study led by Michigan State University determined that previously relied upon resistance genes are failing and there is a need for soybean breeders to incorporate new sources of resistance.
How Can the Profitability of Double Crop Wheat and Soybeans Be Improved?
Double crop soybeans after winter wheat can enhance profitability and soil health in the Midwest, but success depends on identifying early-maturing winter wheat varieties to optimize soybean planting conditions. This Illinois Soybean Association-funded project aims to identify high-yielding winter wheat varieties that can be harvested earlier and allow earlier planting of double-crop soybeans to maximize soybean yield potential.