Soy in Motor Oil? The Engine Is Getting Started

Thanks in part to checkoff-funded research, motorists could have a new choice in motor oil in a few years, made from high oleic soybean oil. Biosynthetic Technologies received a key certification for the oil recently and a pledge for a $100 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture so they can break ground on…

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Keeping Farms Sustainable With GMO Crops

Gene Stoebel, a third generation Minnesota farmer and US Farmers & Ranchers Association board member, recently wrote a guest post for Forbes.com about the benefits of using GMO’s on his farm. It’s a well-written educational piece about why GMO’s are helpful, and encourages consumers to ask farmers any questions they have. Feel free to SHARE…

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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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NCSPA 2015-2016 Soy Scholarship Video

[columns] [one_half] The Soy Scholarship at N.C. State University, sponsored by the association, has assisted several outstanding undergraduate students. This year, we prepared a short video to better engage our 2015-2016 Soy Scholarship recipients with our board and soybean farmers, to show the value that the scholarship creates for the students and the agricultural community. This video…

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Preventing Spray Drift

Herbicide-resistant weeds have become more prevalent and the importance of using multiple modes of action to manage them has increased. It is vital that products are applied according to the label and with stewardship in mind, so that spray drift doesn’t damage neighboring crops. Managing spray drift is critical to preventing herbicide injury on non-target…

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Scott Brothers Continuing the Family Tradition

[columns] [one_half] Brothers Frank and Wyatt Scott are recent recipients of the North Carolina Soybean Producers Association’s Annual Soy Scholarship and a part of the May 2016 graduating class from North Carolina State University. Both the scholarship and the CALS program helped them accomplish their after graduation goals,carrying on the 200 year old family tradition. This video…

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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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