Seed Situation in N.C.

Soybean seed supply is limited for 2016 plantings.  The extremely limited supplies will be in maturity groups 6 and 7, and supplies of late group 5 seed may also be very tight.  Watch for announcements from the seed companies in the coming days about seed availability, germination rates, and incentives.  Expect some suppliers to tag seed…

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Soybean Population Information for 2016

Have questions on what soybean population to plant this year, given the potential for poorer seed quality and lower germination percentage? The chart below shows plants per acre based on various potential germination rates. Dr. Dunphy, Extension Soybean Specialist at N.C. State University, considers 75,000, 90,000. or 100,000 an adequate stand for maintaining yield when planted…

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Roundup Ready 2 Xtend Soybean Varieties

‘Roundup Ready 2 Xtend’ (RR2 Xtend) soybean varieties are now becoming available for planting. Farmers should be aware of some significant concerns about use of these varieties. As of May 2, 2016, these seed were not approved for sale in Europe.  Processors and elevators may require special conditions for purchasing these beans from growers. Perdue…

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2016-2017 Research Project Locations

As farmers gear up for planting season, North Carolina Soybean Producers Association researchers are too. Each year, the NCSPA sponsors research projects throughout the state to gain valuable information to share with growers. Hopefully that information will help N.C. soybean growers make better decisions on how to manage their crops. Over 30 research projects and…

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Palmer amaranth Control in Soybeans

A cool, wet spring, followed by heat and sun has led to the perfect storm for weed development over the last few weeks. As weeds begin to grow, timeliness of post-emergence applications is critical to suppressing weed populations and protecting the soybean yield. While there has been some late-season horseweed in soybean fields this year,…

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Time of Spraying and Herbicide Efficacy

When it comes to weed control, growers must use every tool in their toolbox to fight the battle. One of the often overlooked tools is ensuring maximum herbicide efficacy through time of spraying. Over the last few years, a number of different research groups from universities across the Southeast have been looking at the impact…

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Scouting for Insect Pests

Walking and scouting fields is important for a number of reasons but as we move into July, identification of insect pests is key to maintaining maximum yields. I recently met a bed bugs exterminator expert who told me that understanding the insect population in your field, allows you to formulate the most effective and profitable…

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Frogeye Leaf Spot

Frogeye leaf spot (FLS) is a common foliar disease in North Carolina soybeans especially in our Northeastern and Piedmont counties. Frogeye leaf spot is a fungus caused by the pathogen Cercospora sojina. It can infect soybean plants at any stage of development, but disease most often occurs after flowering. The disease is most serious during…

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Foliar Fertilizers: Are They a Sound Investment? – Part I

Growers are constantly being hit with information from products that advertise their ability to increase yield, specifically, foliar N, P, K, and micronutrient fertilizers. Is in-season fertilization needed for “catch-up” in a soybean crop and are these products consistently a sound investment for an operation? Research from groups across the United States over the last…

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2017 Double-Crop Insurance Changes

Effective in 2017: The following change from USDA Risk Management Agency has been made regarding the double-crop indemnity provisions in crop insurance. For more information and the full website with FAQs visit the link here: http://www.rma.usda.gov/help/faq/doublecropping.html Frequently Asked Questions Double Cropping Revision and Practical to Replant Jun 22, 2016 Q: What is double cropping? A: Planting and harvesting two or…

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Soybean Rust Update 2016

From the office of Jim Dunphy, Crop Science Extension Specialist (Soybeans) and Lindsey Thiessen, Extension Plant Pathologist Asiatic Soybean Rust has been confirmed in Tift County, Georgia, earlier today, on soybeans in a Sentinel plot.  This is the first find of rust on soybeans in Georgia this year, and is approximately 260 miles from Murphy, NC,…

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