The southeast Nebraska Soybean/Corn Disease Field Tour will be August 24, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Nemaha County Fairgrounds in Auburn. (This is a change from the original location due to muddy field conditions.) Sponsored by Nebraska Extension, the field day and tour will begin at the soybean field research site on the southwest corner of Highway 136 and Half Breed Road, in Ryan Beccard’s soybean field. Research at this site is focused on soybean diseases, particularly soybean cyst nematode (SCN). Soybean cyst nematode continues to cost Nebraska soybean growers millions of dollars each year. Yield losses of 20%-30% have been documented in the state with no above-ground symptoms.
Loren Giesler, extension soybean plant pathologist, will discuss UNL soybean disease research. UNL researchers have been evaluating the Bayer Crop Science seed treatment ILeVO® and its effect on sudden death syndrome (SDS) and SCN and its impact on soybean yields. Extension Educator John Wilson will also discuss SCN research.
The tour will then move to the 4-H Building (816 I St.) on the Nemaha County Fairgrounds in Auburn, where there will be a dinner. Tamra Jackson-Ziems, extension corn plant pathologist, will discuss corn diseases, the importance of identifying corn diseases correctly, the feasibility of fungicides, and UNL research on corn diseases. She’ll also discuss corn bacterial diseases to be watching for.
The program will be held rain or shine. If rainy conditions develop prior to the field day and the plots are muddy, the field plot portion will be moved to the 4-H Building. (Check on Aug. 24 by calling 402-274-4755.) While registration is not required, it is encouraged for meal planning. Please register by calling the Nemaha County Extension office at (402) 274-4755 by Friday, August 19.
