Field Talk: To Spray or Not to Spray Fungicides?
Dr. Boris Camiletti, Plant Pathologist at the University of Illinois Extension, and Dr. Carl Bradley, Plant Pathologist at the University of Kentucky Extension, explore the impact of fungicides on yield. They also share fungicide trials and when to consider an application. This presentation was featured at the Illinois Soybean Association's Field Talk at Rend Lake College on June 20, 2024.
More Rain…Now What?
Illinois experienced significant rainfall this week, including a derecho that brought substantial precipitation to several areas. How will this impact the crops? Our IL Soy Envoys share their insights on the situation, along with updates on fungicide applications, pollination challenges, corn leaf aphids, soybean diseases, and more.
Phytophthora In Your Fields? Why You Need to Start Planning for 2025
After several weeks of heavy rain, Stephanie Porter, CCA, has been receiving calls about sparse soybean stands in certain fields. If hail, slugs, herbicides, or human error aren’t to blame, what else could be causing the problem? Find out in our latest blog post.
Should You Apply a Fungicide?
Halfway through the growing season, many farmers are debating fungicide application despite low commodity prices. What do our IL Soy Envoys and Certified Crop Advisers think? Tune in for their latest crop updates, Hurricane Beryl rainfall reports, Illinois record crop predictions, and more!
Staging Soybeans for Fungicide at the R3 Growth Stage
When scouting soybeans for fungicide application, it's important to first check the growth stage across the field. Stephanie Porter, CCA, demonstrates how to identify the R3 growth stage in soybean plants and how to inspect for diseases such as Septoria brown spot and insect damage.
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.
And the Bad News Is?
After a week's break, the IL Soy Envoys have returned to provide their latest field reports. They cover precipitation levels—or the lack thereof in some regions—and discuss the emergence of tar spot and other potential diseases.
Crop Scouting During the Awkward Junior High Stage
In a "normal" year, Stephanie Porter's focus would be on scouting V7 corn and R1 soybeans. However, with corn planted at varying intervals this year, it's essential to approach each field with a different mindset. Read on to see her photos and observations from the field.
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.
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