Don’t Sleep on Drought this Winter
Consecutive drier growing seasons have depleted deeper layer soil moisture and dropped water table levels across much of Illinois. Without near to wetter than normal conditions in winter, dry soil conditions could persist into the spring. El Niño conditions in the Pacific increase the chances of drier and warmer than normal weather, which could also impede longer-term drought recovery, especially in parts of western Illinois that have accumulated the largest deficits since the start of 2022.
The Rising Costs of Soybean Production in Illinois
Since 2000, the direct costs associated with soybean production in central Illinois have increased at an average annual rate of 5.4%. The costs associated with primary inputs have grown at average annual rates slightly above the total direct cost average, while other direct costs have increased at average annual rates slightly below the direct cost average.
Soybean-Specifics of Soil Health: What Do We Know?
When it comes to soybeans, are there specific considerations on soil health? In this webinar, Dr. Andrew Margenot will review reasons for anticipating soybean-specific considerations on soil health processes and management, and methods for testing soil health.
Seeking Farmer Cooperators for Insect Pest Management Research in Soybeans During 2024
Dr. Nick Seiter, Assistant Professor and Field Crops Entomologist at the University of Illinois, is leading a research project funded by the Illinois Soybean Association to explore the return on investment of insecticide seed treatments and foliar applications in soybean farming.
November Weather Outlook: Temperature Swings, Winter Forecast, and Monitoring Brazil’s Soybean Season
When will it rain again? How about snow? ...Maybe not anytime soon. Matt Reardon shares a warmer weather forecast for Illinois and discusses the influence of El Nino on the winter outlook. He also highlights the weather forecast for Brazil and its implications for the ongoing soybean growing season.
Chronicles of Red Crown Rot: Part 1
Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) Outreach Agronomist, Stephanie Porter, CCA, recounts a visit to a soybean farm in Pike County plagued by red crown rot for the past five years. She shares historical information on the disease and how the ISA Agronomy team is actively engaging with plant pathologists, consultants, and researchers to explore current research and management strategies for red crown rot.
Advancing Ag Research: Updates from ISA Check-off Funded Projects
Maintaining strong connections with research collaborators is a top priority at the Illinois Soybean Association. In this report, we provide progress updates from four research initiatives carried out in partnership with Southern Illinois University and the University of Illinois.
Grower Groups Cheer Court’s Defense of Science-based Regulation in Chlorpyrifos Ruling
Agricultural organizations are celebrating a victory as the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a ruling that overturned the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ban on chlorpyrifos, a pesticide used by farmers to protect their crops from pests, allowing agricultural use of the pesticide to continue.
A Silent Threat: The Growing Concern of SCN in Soybean Fields
Soybean cyst nematode remains a critical threat to soybean yields, with populations adapting to the predominant source of resistance. The problem is intensifying and farmers are encouraged to monitor SCN and consider diversified management strategies.
EPA Seeks Public Input on Pesticide Treated Seed and Paint
The U.S. EPA is seeking public input through an ANPRM to gather information on the use of pesticide-treated seed and paint products. They aim to determine if additional regulation is necessary based on comments, and may enact rules or administrative actions accordingly.
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