Patience & Planning: Key Preparations for Getting Back to Field Work
With some areas still grappling with rain delays, saturated soils, and a lack of planting progress, IL Soy Envoy Kelly Robertson shares a few thoughts on the tough situation many farmers are facing and offers some advice that might help while they wait to get back into the fields.
Farmers Share Real-Life Experiences of Using Edge-of-Field Conservation Practices
This June, producers can get their questions answered about installing edge-of-field conservation practices by connecting with experienced farmers at a west-central Illinois panel discussion hosted by Illinois Extension.
Checklist for Late Soybean Planting (Mid-May to June)
If you're planting soybeans from mid-May to June, refer to this checklist from Illinois Soybean Association Agronomist Stephanie Porter, CCA, for insights on seeding rate, row spacing, maturity, weed management, disease control, and more.
How Will Planting Delays Impact Yield?
In this episode, the Soy Envoys discuss recent field activity, highlighting variability in conditions with some regions dry and suitable for planting while others remain wet. They also discuss significant weed pressure, reports of black cutworm feeding in both corn and soybeans, replanting, and more.
Contributors Needed for Weed Mapping Project
Scientists are working to track troublesome weeds across the country by creating and updating weed distribution maps. They are seeking help from crop consultants, agronomists, and weed scientists for this project.
Is It PPO Damage?
In 2024, weather conditions have shifted from ideal in March to cool and wet from April into May, raising concerns about herbicide applications, seedling diseases, and emergence issues. IL Soy Envoy, Eric Beckett, CCA, focuses on the use of PPO inhibitors which are crucial for preemergence weed control but may raise some alarms of unsightly-looking soybeans as they emerge and begin to grow.
May Weather Update: Heavy Rains and a Slow Start
Matt Reardon from Nutrien Ag provides a May weather update, highlighting the frequent rainfall in Illinois that has increased soil moisture and alleviated drought concerns. He also discusses the long-range forecast, indicating the potential for continued wet conditions through the end of May and a warmer, stormy summer ahead.
It MAY Be Time to Evaluate Soybean Populations
As planting season moves through May, IL Soy Envoy Shelby Weckel says it's time to reassess soybean populations. She explains why farmers should increase soybean populations and other key management factors to consider.
Wet Spring Weather and Nitrogen Loss Revisited
With May's rainfall continuing following a wetter-than-usual April, concerns regarding nitrogen (N) losses are on the rise. In this farmdoc article, Giovani Preza Fontes and Emerson Nafziger talk about the concern of how much N will be available for the 2024 corn crop and determining the optimal timing for additional N application.
Participating in ISA’s Mentorship Program: Exploring Compeer Financial and Beyond
During its pilot year, the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) collaborated with Illinois Central College to introduce "Growing Careers in Ag," a mentorship program tailored to community college students. Anna Alexander shares her journey within the program and reflects on the the information she learned through the program.
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