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
WNY Pastureland Conversion & Soil Health Field Day
July 16, 2025
Middleport, NY
Join American Farmland Trust for the Western New York Soil Health Field Day on July 16, 2025, at Zeliff Farm in Middleport, NY, from 9:00 AM-3:15 PM. Learn about pasture conversion, soil health benchmarking, biochar in grazing systems, and best grazing practices. Plus, enjoy hands-on demos with the NY Soil Health Trailer, drones, and cover crops! Check out the attached agenda for more information about the field day and REGISTER HERE. Zeliff Farms is a regenerative beef operation who has recently partnered with AFT on outreach and education to farmers including learning circles and evaluating biochar effects on soil health.
IPM Strategies to Protect Corn and Soybean Seed in NY

July 30, 2025
Hamburg , NY
SWNYDLFC and Cornell IPM are hosting a grower meeting to discuss integrated pest management strategies for protecting corn and soybean seed in New York.
FAMACHA Training for Sheep and Goat producers in Woodhull NY
August 13, 2025 : FAMACHA Training in Woodhull
Woodhull, NY
Join us for a discussion and hands-on training for internal parasite integrated pest management in sheep and goats. Certification is available to all students participating in the workshop.
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