Helena Agronomy

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is the single most damaging pest affecting soybean in the United States, where annual yield losses due to SCN have been estimated at about $1.5 billion.  Dr. Greg Tylka joined Iowa State University in February 1990.  He currently is a professor in the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology and serves as director of the Iowa Soybean Research Center at Iowa State University.Dr. Tylka discussed 1. Nematode biology: Nematodes hatch from eggs, they go through multiple molts on their way to adulthood.  Similar to just about everything else, their lifecycle is dependent on heat – Soybean Cyst nematode can go through a generation in a little less than a month under the right conditions.  They were introduced from asia in the early 1900’s, They are incredibly small, Greg says a female the size of a period on a printed page have hundreds of eggs.  They move locally through blow through wind, water run off, with equipment.  In the 90’s there was

In many cases, prevent plant acres were filled with forage crops this year.  Bill and I discussed managing these crops to prevent prussic acid and high nitrate concentration.  

This is a recording of a conference call where Ben, Randy, and Ryan discuss late season scouting in corn and soybeans.  We cover a lot of topics at a very high level - nutrition, insects, diseases.  In short, late season scouting is the best window into understanding what went right and what needs work on the farm.  If you wait much longer, leaves mature and the symptomology is erased leaving you with just a yield number and the farmer looking for something to blame for the disappointment or give credit for exceeding their expectations.      

Dr. Aaron Hager is an associate professor at the University of Illinois.  He contributes to increased crop production through development and implementation of integrated weed management programs.  On the podcast we discuss the biology and history of waterhemp, cases of resistance, and management of this tough weed.  The reproduction strategy of water hemp makes it highly diverse which opens up the opportunity for the evolution of several cases of herbicide resistance.  Resistance to 7 different herbicide classes have been demonstrated in water hemp.  In addition, the mechanisms of resistance seen in water hemp  require farmers to think differently about how they manage this weed.  As agronomists and advisors we need to understand this important weed in order to provide the best information, products and services to farmers.  

Recently, I was asked to cover adjuvants on the podcast.  The efficacy of crop protection products are dependent on the proper formulation, mixing, and delivery to the target site.  The proper selection and use of adjuvants is critical to each of these processes and often determine the ultimate success or failure of the crop protection product.  I spoke with Corbin Abrell, Helena product manager, about adjuvants during a visit to Parkland College in Champaign, IL.     

Recently, tar spot was identified in the northern portion of Indiana and southern rust was confirmed in west-central Indiana.  I called Dr. Darcy Telenko of Purdue University to discuss these and other diseases.  We discussed the biology of the diseases and scouting for them in the field.  We also discussed fungicide decisions.  Dr. Darcy Telenko is an assistant professor at Purdue.  Her research program focuses on promoting sustainable and economically sound disease management practices in Indiana field crops. Her interdisciplinary plant pathology research and extension program is involved in studying the biology and management of soilborne and foliar pathogens of agronomic crops. This research encompasses four major themes: 1) Detection and monitoring of disease pathogens to minimize and/or detect the development of fungicide resistance or impact of new diseases in field crops; 2) Integration and evaluation of new chemistries or tools into cropping systems; 3) Evaluation of host res

We all know that there are a number of fields that remain unplanted.  If those fields are left untouched, we will either deal with weeds or fallow syndrome - nutrient problems next year.  Cover crops are a good option for these fields.  Dr. Eileen J. Kladivko is Professor of Agronomy at Purdue University, where she teaches and does research in soil physics, soil biology, and soil management. Her overall research focus has been to identify soil management systems that improve environmental quality and promote agricultural sustainability. Specific research areas have included tile drainage and water quality; the interactions of earthworms, soil management, and soil physical properties; conservation tillage and cover crops for soil quality improvement; and preferential flow of chemicals through soils. She is a founding member of the Midwest Cover Crops Council​.You'll find a number of good resources on her Purdue website:Impacts of tile drainage on crop yields and nitrate losses to surface waterCo

Post-emergence herbicide spraying has been significantly delayed. Herbicides applied this season will probably not have as much time to breakdown prior to planting in 2020. Additionally corn and soybeans will be at many different growth stages when we get the opportunity to spray so correctly staging plants will be very important. Bill Verbeten and I discuss the cutoff stages for herbicide applications to corn and soybeans along with rotation intervals for post applied herbicides.

Recently, the USDA relaxed the prevent plant rules for forages - they allowed corn to be used as silage and moved the forage harvest date to September 1st from November 1st.  This opens the door for farmers to plant some different crops.  In some cases these will be new to them although they tend to be old practices.  Bill Verbeten discusses the management practices needed to ensure success with these crops.  

Poor planting conditions have pushed back planting in the Eastern Corn Belt.  Typically, in mid-June we're starting to think about reproductive stages of crops but this year we're talking early season scouting.  The rain and cool weather have also created a variety of nutrient deficiencies.  Ryan and Ben discuss the characterization of these nutrient deficiency symptoms and adjustments to crop nutrition to address the problems.  We also discuss a few insect problems that have been common this spring including Black cutworm and Bean Leaf Beetle.  

The rain continues throughout most of the upper midwest and Great Lakes regions.  Farmers are considering their options for plant 2019.  Insurance is a tool that is new to me - so I called Chris Hollis to explain the details.  Chris is the leader of Helena Crop Insurance.  We discuss the options that insurance provides for farmers that are not able to get into the field.  We briefly discuss cover crops as well.  There are no CCA credits associated with this podcast.  

Rain has kept many farmer out of the field delaying important spring work including planting.  Ryan and Randy discuss the potential problems of late planted corn and look ahead to possible solutions.