NEWS

As the 2024 growing season begins in Illinois, the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association (IFCA) reminds applicators that the dicamba use restrictions mandated by the Illinois Department of Agriculture remain unchanged from those in 2023. Annual dicamba label training remains a prerequisite before applying dicamba over-the-top of soybeans.

Illinois Soybean Association Outreach Agronomist, Stephanie Porter, CCA, shares the challenges of winter annual weeds, highlighting henbit and purple deadnettle as alternative hosts of soybean cyst nematode. Research suggests that managing winter annuals in the fall, applying residual herbicides, and removing winter weeds before planting are crucial strategies for management.

A multi-year Illinois Soybean Association project led by Dr. Andrew Margenot is benchmarking tillage and cover crops effects for soil health and water quality. Results will inform farmers of tradeoffs among soil health, carbon credits, and water quality.

The Soy Envoys provide a short update on planting progress and field conditions across different regions of Illinois. They discuss weed control strategies and herbicide applications as well as the connection of winter annual weeds being a host for soybean cyst nematode. Listen to the full episode here or on all major podcasting platforms.

Soy Envoy, Craig Grafton, shares the process of soybean breeding, shedding light on how new soybeans varieties are being developed. He also discusses the evolving landscape of soybean traits and the future of soybean breeding.

ILSoyAdvisor Soy Envoy, Karen Corrigan, introduces Bulletins Live! Two, a web-based application with access to Endangered Species Protection Bulletins, an extension of pesticide labels. She urges applicators to generate reports outlining any usage limitations or restrictions in their area prior to spraying.