Soybean Cyst Nematode Keeps Spreading, Economic Losses Increasing
Joshua Putman, Field Crops and Forage Specialist
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

-Information provided my Julianne Johnston, The SCN Coalition-
"In just the past three years, soybean cyst nematode (SCN) has spread to 55 new U.S. counties in 11 states," says Dr. Greg Tylka, Iowa State University (ISU) nematologist and co-leader of The SCN Coalition. "SCN is now widespread in New York," says Dr. Gary Bergstrom. "Soybean growers are fortunate that in most fields where SCN has been detected, population densities are low, although it's concerning that a few counties had higher numbers." Growers are asking questions about SCN-resistant varieties, nematicide seed treatments, and soil testing for SCN. In 2020, researchers concluded that from 1996 to 2016, SCN caused yield losses of $32 billion dollars; averaging $1.5 billion annually. Research and sampling will be continued into the 2021 growing season in SWNY and throughout the state.
Upcoming Events
Soil Health Field Day
June 30, 2026
Farmersville, NY
Save the date! We're hosting a Soil Health Field Day at Nichols Farm in Farmersville on June 30th. Topics include soil health demonstrations, cover crop uses and benefits, and lunch is being provided. Call 716-699-2377 (ext.106) to RSVP.
Fecal Egg Count Mobile Workshops Summer 2026 - CCE Erie County Pavilion (Orchard Park, NY)
June 30, 2026
Orchard Park, NY
Amy Barkley, Livestock Specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension's Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops Program (SWNYDLFC) will be teaching a series of fecal egg count mobile workshops for those who are interested in the internal parasite challenges affecting sheep, goats, llamas, and alpacas.
Dairy Grazing Pasture Walk
July 1, 2026
Bath, NY
FREE
0.75 DEC credits in CORE, 1a, 21 Available
Presentations from Steuben County Soil and Water and SWNY DLFC Team
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