Drones are very useful, especially for data gathering. They can capture real-time data, can cover areas not feasible with ground methods and capture data not available through remote-sensing methods. It is possible to fly a drone in the morning and get data to evaluate issues to be addressed in the afternoon, limiting down time for…
From Jim Dunphy, Crop Science Extension Specialist (Soybeans) and Lindsey Thiessen, Extension Plant Pathologist Although Asiatic Soybean Rust may be moving up the Mississippi River valley pretty rapidly, it seems to be moving more slowly up the east coast. This week, rust was confirmed in Arkansas County, AR, Caldwell County, KY, and Williamson County, IL,…
As we move into September, preparing for harvest is on everyone’s mind, but now is also the time to think about nematode numbers in your fields. Nematodes are microscopic roundworms which may feed on the roots of plants. There are hundreds of different species of nematodes, but most are not economically important. Two that are…
The North Carolina Wildlife Federation and the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission have partnered on a program to help farmers manage whitetailed deer through hunting and to help local food banks through donations of venison. The program works through local civic organizations, youth groups and hunt clubs that seek to encourage donations of venison to…
Checkoff funded research has helped identify a previously unused gene pool from Europe which will enable scientists to breed more weather-tolerant soybeans. Check out this new video from USB featuring North Carolina’s own Dr. Tommy Carter of the USDA, discussing the work they are doing to improve the tolerance of soybeans to a variety of…
Remember the wet weather and ensuing problems with the soy crop this time last year? This year’s situation for soy growers is much more promising in comparison. Back of the envelope calculations show that N.C. soy growers failed to realize at least $40,000,000 in sales last year. The 2015 crop was adequate in terms of…
From Jim Dunphy, Crop Science Extension Specialist (Soybeans) and Lindsey Thiessen, Extension Plant Pathologist Asiatic Soybean Rust has been confirmed on soybeans in Bamberg County, SC, which is a little closer to some of our NC soybeans than had previously been confirmed. This find is approximately 140 miles from Charlotte, 345 miles from Elizabeth City, 175 miles…
Economic thresholds are developed by researchers to let farmers know when to invest in managing an insect, disease or pest to keep it from reaching an economic injury level (EIL). The EIL is when the crop value lost to injury exceeds the cost of treatment. Using thresholds are an important tool for farmers in knowing…
Did you spot the use of soy while watching the Olympics? The 17 days of competition took place in host city Rio de Janeiro, where the three electrical transformers powering the games were built with Cargill’s Envirotemp® FR3® natural ester fluid, which is soybean-oil based. Power utility company Light, which already uses FR3® in its…
With Tropical Storm Hermine coming through North Carolina last weekend, Dr. Jim Dunphy warns there is a good chance of rust spores coming into North Carolina. As the storm crossed the Florida panhandle there is a chance it picked up and carried rust spores to our state as it passed through. In the next two…