As if the extremely wet and cool weather wasn’t enough to worry about, slugs are becoming active in many fields. Again this year I am participating in the United Soybean Board Multi-State Slug Monitoring Project. As part of this project, I have several fields throughout Knox County that I monitor for slug activity on a weekly basis. Today was the first time I found any significant activity. Several fields are now beginning to show significant slug feeding. To make matters worse most of the slugs that I am finding are small juvenile slugs. This would indicate that a slug hatch has recently occurred. These juvenile slugs are like teenagers – As they grow, they will eat anything in site, and a lot of it!
Soybeans
Soybean Seedling Disease
Soybean seedling diseases are often the cause of reduced stands and can cause significant economic losses on an annual basis. Diseased seedlings are often less vigorous and severe stand loss may require replanting of affected areas. So far, this spring, the persistent wet weather we have been experiencing has created ideal conditions for the onset of early-season soybean seedling diseases. Diagnosing seedling diseases in the field can be difficult since the symptoms of various seedling blights are similar, and seedlings often decompose quickly. Since it’s too wet to plant, now is a great time to scout your existing emerged fields for stand issues.
Below are common diseases we can find in Knox County.
Fusarium Root Rot
Many Fusarium species reside in the soil and can infect soybean. Infected plants may be stunted and spindly with brown or black lesions on the roots and poorly developed root systems.
In severe cases, seedlings may die before emerging. Species of Fusarium can infect plants under a wide variety of environmental conditions. Fusarium root rot is often associated with stressed plants.
Rhizoctonia Seedling Blight
Is caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani. The characteristic symptom of Rhizoctonia seedling blight is a reddish-brown lesion on the lower stem or hypocotyl, usually at the soil level. Lesions on the diseased stem appear sunken (canker-like) and dry, and can girdle the hypocotyl. Continue reading Soybean Seedling Disease
Corn-to-Soybean Yield Ratios Across Midwestern States
Source: farmdoc daily (15):84, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Summary
While corn and soybean yields have increased over time, corn-to-soybean yield ratios generally have not trended up or down at the national or state levels in the 21st Century. However, there does exist variation in relative yields across states. States in the central Corn Belt region (Illinois, Iowa, Indiana) tend to have higher corn and soybean yields than states in the western Corn Belt and Great Plains (Kansas, North Dakota). In relative terms, as measured by the corn-soybean yield ratio, corn is relatively more productive (higher yield ratios) in the states with lower average corn and soybean yields.
Both corn and soybean yields have trended up over time at the national and state levels. Relative yields, as measured by the corn-to-soybean yield ratios, have not trended up or down at the national or state levels over the last 25 years. Differences in yield levels and relative yields exist across states. States with higher corn yields also tend to have higher soybean yields. States with lower yields tend to have higher corn-to-soybean yield ratios.
U.S. Corn-to-Soybean Yield Ratios
Relative yields of corn and soybeans are often evaluated using a corn-to-soybean yield ratio. We used yields reported by the National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) for harvested acres. In 2024, the U.S. yield for corn was 179.3 bushels per acre, while the U.S. yield for soybeans was 50.7 bushels per acre. The 2024 corn-to-soybean yield ratio was 3.54, which equals the 179.3 corn yield divided by the 50.7 soybean yield. This ratio means that one acre yields 3.54 times more bushels of corn than of soybeans.
Since 2000, the U.S. corn-to-soybean ratio has averaged 3.49, with much variation around that average. The highest U.S. ratio of 4.19 occurred in 2003 when soybeans were particularly hard hit by aphids and other pest infestations. The lowest ratio of 3.08 occurred in the 2012 drought year. The extremely dry weather in 2012 had larger adverse impacts on corn, with rain occurring in August helping soybean yields. Statistical tests suggest that the corn-to-soybean ratio has not been trending up or down since 2000. Continue reading Corn-to-Soybean Yield Ratios Across Midwestern States
Ohio Crop Weather
Planting has begun!
It looks like we are mirroring our 5-year average … so far.
Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference March 11-12
Don’t miss this year’s Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference March 11-12, 2025, (Tuesday-Wednesday) at Ohio Northern University, Ada, Ohio. Connect with other great farmers and CCAs, experience new ideas, and increase your net income.
The theme is “Getting More from Less.” Cutting costs is key following a year where corn and soybean yields were reduced for many farmers. And crop prices are barely breakeven. We don’t know what the weather will be in 2025, but commodity prices are projected to stay low.
Fred Yoder, no-till farmer at Plain City and former president of the National Corn Growers Association, will be the opening keynote speaker and will appear two more times on the program. He’ll discuss economic benefits of continuous no-till. Also, he will share insights into the new USDA leadership and the Farm Bill.
Jeff Duling, Putnam County, will discuss how he works with Mother Nature to increase yields with no-till and cover crops. Part of his farmland is Paulding clay, considered the worst soil in Northwest Ohio. He has increased corn yields on it by 50 to 75 bushels per acre. He is sponsored by Pioneer.
Connor Sible, Assistant Professor, University of Illinois, will share his research on various methods of “Managing Residue (from high-yielding corn): Mechanical, Chemical, and Biological.” He is sponsored by Calmer Corn Heads.
Etienne Herrick-Sutton, University of Missouri, will speak on the Regenerative Agriculture Outlook. Rodrigo Werle, University of Wisconsin, will present information on Managing Waterhemp in Soybeans. The full conference program is available at ctc.osu.edu
With about 60 speakers total, the Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference gives plenty of opportunities to gain valuable information. The program features four faculty from Midwest universities and more than 20 OSU Extension Educators and campus faculty.
The opening General Session will start at 8:30 a.m. March 11. Master Farmer Awards and the Ohio CCA of the Year will be announced. Four concurrent sessions will begin at 10:00 a.m. The Tuesday sessions include: Soil Health, Cover Crops and No-till; Nutrient Management; Agronomic Crops Management; and Precision Ag & Technology.
The four sessions on Wednesday will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end about 4:30 p.m. Sessions include: Soil Health, Cover Crops and No-till; Agronomic Crops Management; Water Quality; and Regenerative Agriculture. Take advantage of the opportunity to discuss one-on-one with speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, and other participants. Bring a friend and/or family members.
Registration will be a flat rate $100. Register online at https://www.allenswcd.com/cttc/ or call Albert Suniga at 419-222-0846 x1005. (Registration after February 25, or on-site, will be $150.) If you are planning to stay overnight, take advantage of available but limited rooms at discounted rates at “The Inn “at the Ohio Northern University. To take advantage of this promotion, call 844-535-2805. (When reserving, mention CTTC)
Soybean Resilience Blueprint- Free Webinar Series
The Science For Success team is hosting a two-part webinar series focused on some of the biggest challenges in soybean production: the ever changing environmental and economic landscape. The webinar series is free and open to anyone. Certified Crop Advisers can earn 1.0 CEU in Crop Management by attending the webinar.
Register at: https://soybeanscienceforsuccess.org/webinars-and-events/
Part 1: Climate Challenges in Soybean Production
- Date & Time: February 28, 2025 at 1:00 PM
- Topic: This session will explore the impacts of changing weather on soybean production and offer actionable insights into overcoming these challenges.
- Speakers:
- Chris Kucharik, Professor of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences at University of Wisconsin- Madison
- Alex Lindsey, Associate Professor of Crop Ecophysiology and Agronomy at The Ohio State University
- Laura Lindsey, Professor of Soybean and Small Grains at The Ohio State University
- Michael Plumblee, Assistant Professor of Agronomy at Clemson University
Part 2: Economic Insights for Uncertain Times
- Date & Time: March 14, 2025 at 1:00 PM
- Topic: This session will provide practical strategies to manage economic volatility in soybean farming.
- Speakers:
- Paul Mitchell, Director of the Renk Agribusiness Institute at the University of Wisconsin- Madison
- Shawn Conley, Professor and State Soybean and Small Grain Specialist at University of Wisconsin- Madison
- Seth Naeve, Professor and Extension Agronomist at University of Minnesota
- Nicole Fiorellino, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Agronomy at University of Maryland
- Michael Plumblee, Assistant Professor of Agronomy at Clemson University
About Science for Success: Science For Success is a national team of soybean Extension Specialists from Land-Grant Universities. We collaborate to bring you sound research information on soybean Best Management Practices (BMPs). Science for Success is funded by the United Soybean Board through the checkoff program. To learn more about Science For Success, please visit our new website: https://soybeanscienceforsuccess.org/
2025 Corn College & Soybean School
Join us on February 27th for the 5th annual virtual Corn College and Soybean School presented by the Ohio State University Extension Agronomic Crops Team. The program will run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and feature OSU Extension field and state specialists with updates and topics relevant for the 2025 growing season. CCA CEU credits will be available upon viewing the live presentations. Talks will also be recorded for later viewing on the Ohio State Agronomy YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@OSUAgronomicCrops.
Please register by February 26th at noon. To register, visit https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bKLRxGoOPaOkBka or scan the QR code below. There is a $10 registration fee for this event, which goes directly to support the activities and efforts of the OSU Agronomic Crops Team.
2025 Speaker and Topic Lineup
- Battle for the Belt – Osler Ortez, Laura Lindsey & Taylor Dill
- Corn Disease Management – Stephanie Karhoff
- Weather Outlook – Aaron Wilson
- Nutrient Management in Low Grain Prices – Glen Arnold
- Water Management Considerations – Vinayak Shedekar
- Agronomic Weed Management – Alyssa Essman
- Soybean Disease Management – Horacio Lopez-Nicora
Battle for the Belt – Chilling Injury
Dr. Alex Lindsey, Associate Professor of Crop Ecophysiology & Agronomy, walks us through his current research project on how cold temperatures and water can affect early planted soybeans within the first 24 hours of planting.
How does cold temperature and water affect germination and emergence?
We have been studying how cold temperatures and water affect soybeans under ultra-early planting conditions using some lab experiments. We planted soybeans into field soil (starting at 20% or 60% available water content) at 1” (shallow) or 1.5” (normal) planting depths, and exposed them to different combinations of cold temperatures and water treatments during the first 24 hours after planting (Table 1). After the first 24 hours, we raised the temperature in the chamber to 70°F and measured emergence.
Table 1. Temperature and water treatments evaluated during the first 24 hrs after planting.
Preliminary results suggest that no water application (even if temperature dropped to 35°F) resulted in the greatest emergence (75%) after 11 days. Water application immediately after planting, regardless of whether it was 50°F or 35°F, cut the emergence totals in half. Application of ice after planting was less damaging to emergence but still reduced germination compared to where water wasn’t applied. This suggests that avoiding precipitation within the first 24 hours of planting is key to ensuring good emergence.
Does planting depth matter? Continue reading Battle for the Belt – Chilling Injury
Ohio Crop Weather
Source: USDA
Sustained Wet Conditions
Heavy rains last week saturated fields and prevented any large-scale planting activities, according to Ben Torrance, State Statistician, USDA NASS, Ohio Field Office. Topsoil moisture conditions were rated 31 percent adequate and 69 percent surplus. Statewide, the average temperature for the week ending on April 14 was 56.8 degrees, 9.4 degrees above normal. Weather stations recorded an average of 1.86 inches of precipitation, 0.98 inches above average. There were 0.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 14.
Farmers reported that with the excess rain, the only field work that could be done was applying herbicide and fertilizing wheat. Oats were 11 percent planted. Winter wheat was 51 percent jointed and winter wheat condition was 70 percent good to excellent. Warmer than normal conditions continued to push fruit crop development.
Ohio Crop Weather – April 1, 2024
Source: USDA
This year’s weather has been temperamental, with temperatures fluctuating wildly between above average to below average over the past few months, according to Ben Torrance, State Statistician, USDA NASS, Ohio Field Office. Topsoil moisture conditions were rated 32 percent adequate and 68 percent surplus. Statewide, the average temperature for the week ending on April 7 was 46.3 degrees, 0.3 degrees above normal. Weather stations recorded an average of 2.67 inches of precipitation, 1.8 inches above average. There were 0.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 7. Precipitation last week left fields saturated and brought fieldwork to a stop. Drier weather settled in towards the end of the week, but most fields remained too wet to hold heavy equipment. Oats were 7 percent planted. Winter wheat was 16 percent jointed and winter wheat condition was 67 percent good to excellent. Fruit trees began blossoming in the northern counties after last week’s light frost.
