August 7, 2009

Last year soybean cyst nematodes cost Nebraska soybean growers more than $25 million in yield losses, often without being detected.

To help reduce these staggering losses, UNL Extension will host four field days in late August and early September on identifying and managing soybean cyst nematode, Wilson said.

"If SCN caused holes, lesions, spots or other plant abnormalities, it would be much easier to convince producers to test for and manage it," said Loren Giesler, UNL Extension plant pathologist. "However, infested plants usually look healthy. The first indication of a problem is soybean yields that have leveled off or even started to drop while corn or other crop yields in the same field continue to improve."

Originally identified in counties bordering the Missouri River, soybean cyst nematodes have been identified in 48 counties in eastern and central Nebraska as far west as Boyd, Holt, Valley, Buffalo, Kearney, and Red Willow counties. As soybean production has moved across the state, so has the distribution of soybean cyst nematodes.

Meeting Schedule

The 2009 Soybean Cyst Nematode Field Days will be held:

• August 18, 10 a.m., near Laurel, Jerry Johnson farm.
  From Highway 116 and Highway 20 junction east of Laurel, go 2 miles west on Highway 20, then 4.75 miles north on 575th Ave. (west side).
• August 18, 6:30 p.m., near Royal, ground farmed by Lynn Rader.
  From Highway 20 and Highway 14 junction east of Royal, go 1 mile west on Highway 20, then a half mile south on 523rd Ave. (west side).
• August 26, 6:30 p.m., near Herman, ground farmed by Randy Blomker.
  From Herman, go 1 mile south on Highway 75, then 2.5 miles east on County Road P4 (north side).
• September 2, 6:30 p.m., near Cedar Bluffs, ground farmed by Brian and Jim Vech.
  From Cedar Bluffs: go 6.5 miles west on County Road X (south side).

At each SCN Field Day site you will be able to:

• see SCN-resistant and susceptible soybean varieties;
• examine cysts on the roots of infested soybean plants;
• learn how to identify and manage SCN infestations;
• receive a kit for one free SCN analysis (a $20 value); and
• get answers to questions on SCN.

The Soybean Cyst Nematode Management Field Days are presented by UNL Extension with support from the Nebraska Soybean Board. Registration is at the field day. For more information, contact a local UNL Extension office.

IANR News Release