February 28, 2006

Awareness is key with soybean cyst nematode infestations

Testing and awareness are key to combat this pest, said John Wilson, UNL extension educator in Burt County. Recent soybean cyst nematode tests revealed the nematodes have spread to six more Nebraska counties. Adams, Butler, Colfax, Lancaster, Seward and Valley counties joined 27 other Nebraska counties in the eastern half of the state where the pest had been found earlier.

Recent soybean cyst nematode tests revealed that nematodes have spread to six more Nebraska counties. Adams, Butler, Colfax, Lancaster, Seward and Valley counties joined 27 other Nebraska counties in the eastern half of the state where the pest had been found earlier.

Soybean cyst nematode infestations have steadily increased in Nebraska since they were first detected in Richardson County in 1986. Although most infestations reduce yields by 5 to 10 bushels per acre, Wilson said he's seen yield losses of 20 bushels or more and talked to farmers with 100 percent losses in parts of their fields.

"If you notice areas in a field where soybeans yields are lower, and it can't be explained by weather, soil type, flooding, insect infestations or weed pressure, then there's a good chance it's soybean cyst nematode," Wilson said. "Often there are no above-ground symptoms, just lower yields than what would be expected."

During the 2005 growing season, the Nebraska Soybean Board provided growers with free sampling kits valued at $20. The test kits were distributed through UNL Extension offices, by Nebraska Soybean Board members and at Soybean Management Field Days and Solution Days. Sampling kits will again be available in 2006 from the Nebraska Soybean Board. They can be picked up at local UNL Extension offices later this spring and will be distributed through field scouts and at some summer events.

"Taking a soybean cyst nematode soil sample is easy and the first step toward controlling them," Wilson said.

More than 300 samples were returned and more continue to be sent to UNL's Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic. Of those 300 samples, 24 percent tested positive for soybean cyst nematodes, Wilson said.

One of the most significant findings from the tests was that the nematodes have spread to six more counties. Adams, Butler, Colfax, Lancaster, Seward and Valley counties joined 27 other Nebraska counties in the eastern half of the state where the pest has been found earlier. Soybean cyst nematodes showed up as far west as Buffalo County in 2004.

"This was not a random survey, but taken by farmers or crop scouts who felt there was a reason to survey the fields," Wilson said. Still, it provides a rough idea of where these nematodes are in Nebraska.

For years, soybean cyst nematodes were thought to be a Missouri River Valley problem, said Tom Powers, a UNL plant pathologist who studies nematodes for the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Now the pest is spreading west, and growers need to be aware of it. Once the nematodes are established in fields, the egg numbers continue to increase unless they are managed correctly, he said.

"Samples can be taken any time during the year, but following harvest is an optimal sampling time if lower yields can't be explained," Wilson said.

UNL Extension field days and workshops are helping educate growers about soybean cyst nematodes, and Wilson hopes growers will scout for them and manage them if the pest is found.

"Although soybean cyst nematodes cannot be completely eradicated from fields, management really is fairly easy and not expensive," Wilson said. "There are two main components -- rotation with non-host crops, such as corn, sorghum, small grains and alfalfa, and planting resistant soybean varieties."

Resistant soybean varieties do not cost any more than susceptible varieties because there are no technology fees associated with them.

"What can be expensive is if growers are not managing this," Wilson said. "There have been documented yield reductions of 25 percent to 30 percent with no visible above-ground signs."

From 1999-2004, UNL Extension conducted 12 field trials comparing soybean cyst nematode-resistant and susceptible varieties on infested sites and the same varieties on six non-infested sites. On the 12 infested sites, soybean cyst nematode-resistant varieties yielded an average of five bushels better than the susceptible varieties. Results varied from no difference in yield to a 13 bushel advantage for the resistant varieties.

When the same varieties were planted in fields that were not infested with soybean cyst nematodes, results showed no yield difference between the susceptible and resistant varieties.

"Ten to 15 years ago resistant varieties didn't have the yield potential of susceptible varieties if planted in fields with no or few soybean cyst nematodes and (that) held growers back from planting them," he said. "However, varieties have been improved so there is little or no difference associated with soybean cyst nematode-resistant varieties today."

The UNL Extension field trials also demonstrated the effect using resistant varieties can have on soybean cyst nematode reproduction. On the 12 infested sites, the soybean cyst nematode egg counts were taken from each plot in May and again after harvest. In the plots with susceptible varieties, fall soil samples showed an average increase of 300 percent compared with spring egg counts. However, in plots with soybean cyst nematode resistant varieties, fall egg counts declined by an average of 20 percent from spring count levels.

Options for modifying wheat systems

The day's program will begin with registration and refreshments and end with an open discussion from 2:35 to 3 p.m. Lunch is included. Program topics will include:

• Administrative Update, Charles Hibberd, director, UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center (PHREC), Scottsbluff;
• Farm Update, Tom Nightingale, farm manager, UNL High Plains Ag Lab
• Biodiesel, Spring Barley, and other Variety Releases, David Baltensperger, alternative crops specialist, PHREC;
• The Future of Agronomy and Horticulture at UNL, Mark Lagrimini, department head, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture;
• Flexible Fallow, Drew Lyon, dryland crops specialist, PHREC;
• Cattle Research and Animal ID Issues, Ivan Rush, beef specialist; PHREC
• A Discussion on Integrating Annual Forages into Dryland Cropping Systems, David Baltensperger, alternative crops specialist and moderator, PHREC;
• Proso Flu, Francisco Claderon, soil scientist, USDA-ARS Central Great Plains Research Center, Akron, Colo.,
• Managing High Cost Nitrogen for Wheat, Gary Hergert, soil fertility specialist, PHREC;
• Breeding for Drought Tolerance in Dry Beans, Carlos Urrea, dry bean breeder, PHREC;
• The Area-wide Pest Management Project, Gary Hein, entomologist, PHREC; and
• Skip Row Corn, Alexander Pavlist, crop physiologist, PHREC.

Genetic engineering has been one of the most rapidly integrated and intensively scrutinized technologies applied to crop production in the United States, Namuth said. The impact of transgenic crops on the nation's food system requires producers, agribusiness professionals, educators and current students to have a working knowledge of the genetic engineering process and how these crops are different from their conventional counterparts. This workshop will focus on the steps required to create a biotech crop, as well as methods used to test for the presence of a GMO in seed and food samples.

Nationally, U.S. cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 12.1 million head on February 1, 2006. The inventory was 7% above February 1, 2005 and 9% above February 1, 2004. This is the largest inventory since the series began in 1994. Placements in feedlots during January totaled 2.20 million, 16% above 2005 and 25% above 2004. Marketings of fed cattle during January totaled 1.81 million, up 2% from both 2005 and 2004. Other disappearance totaled 83,000 during January, 14% above 2005 but 12% below 2004.

USDA’s Agricultural Statistics Board

"We want to get the word out across Nebraska that information on our college's scholarships is as near as the nearest UNL Extension office," Waller said.

"If students are interested in food, in new product development, in biotechnology, in law, in production, in business, in the environment, in people -- we have majors in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources that can springboard them to extremely fulfilling and productive careers," Waller said. "Extension educators are tremendous resources for students who want to learn more about our college and the university. Being able to offer students scholarships is a plus for both students and educators."

Jack Schinstock, associate dean of the college, said because extension educators work in every county in the state, they are well positioned to know students in their communities, which is why the college makes it possible for educators to offer scholarships.

"Besides interest in our college's majors, other criteria for the scholarships educators can offer are a student's character and above average academic ability, which for this fall's incoming class was being in the upper third of a student's graduation class, and an ACT score above 25," Schinstock said.

Maureen Burson, UNL extension educator based in Lincoln, awarded a scholarship to a Wilber-Clatonia area high school student in fall 2005.

"It is really uplifting for families to receive notice from the University of Nebraska early in the application process," Burson said. Typically scholarships are awarded in March or April for that fall. With educator-awarded scholarships, prospective students can be notified they are a recipient over a year ahead of their arrival to campus.

"It was quick and we were able to personalize the effort," Burson added.

Schinstock added that even if a student doesn't meet criteria for educator-awarded scholarships, the educators can put students in touch with the college to pursue other scholarships or financial assistance.

"The average new student scholarship in our college is $1,000," Schinstock said. "Some are more and some are less. Each can help a great deal as students explore and compare the costs of attending college."

Waller said extension educators also can award scholarships to potential transfer students from other post-secondary institutions who have at least a B+ average and excellent character.

"Extension educators are the front door to the university," Waller said. "They're a tremendous resource both for students and parents interested in studying with us. We see making it possible for educators to award scholarships to our college as a natural recognition of their role."

Both the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and Extension are part of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at UNL. For more information on College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources scholarship possibilities, contact your nearest extension office, or the college at 103 Agricultural Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0702, telephone (402) 472-7908.