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February 26, 2016 In some crops bees are necessary for pollination and seed production. In corn single tassels pollinate ears on multiple ears on multiple plants. Soybeans, though, are self-pollinated and flowers mostly pollinate themselves. But will bees improve pollination and final pod set? As an agronomist, I receive really interesting questions from farmers across Illinois. Here is just one of the most recent questions that I received: “Can bees... |
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February 24, 2016 There has been some concern about the large amount of rainfall in southern Illinois, the subsequent flooding of many fields and the impact on the winter wheat crop. Before the water could completely leave some fields freezing temperatures arrived, causing sheets of ice to form and remain for a long time. The initial concern is what impact the water and ice have on stands. That concern is magnified by the brownish or purple color of the... |
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February 22, 2016 Farmers are needed for a regional and state soybean yield benchmarking survey in order to identify what is causing yield gaps on your farm. Derek Rapp and Emerson Nafziger from the University of Illinois are part of a regional team participating in a Soybean Yield Benchmarking project. The goals of the project include:
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February 19, 2016 Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) and soybean aphid (SBA) are important soybean pests in the north-central region. Soybean varieties with host plant resistance for SCN (PI88788) and SBA (Rag1) can suppress pest populations and subsequently protect yield. In addition, seed treatments are becoming widely adopted and now can include a nematacide, fungicides and insecticide. Combining host plant resistance with seed treatments could potentially further... |
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February 17, 2016 ILSoyAdvisor received a question from Willings Mulendema in Zambia on an article I wrote back in August 2014. He wrote, “This is a very important publication Dan. I am a start-up farmer and I want to grow soybeans on the new virgin land, about 125 hectares (over 300 acres) here in Zambia. I would like to get more information on the guidelines of growing soybeans. Please advise? Best regards, Willings” ... |
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February 16, 2016 Phosphorus (P) is one of the two nutrients to contribute to hypoxia. Nitrogen is the other. New insights into how phosphorus leaches into groundwater can reduce its potential impact on water quality and its impact on the environment. Phosphorus poses an environmental threat when it travels from soils to open bodies of water, including lakes, streams and rivers. Click... |