Monitoring Fields for Soybean Cyst Nematode in Southwest NY
Joshua Putman, Field Crops and Forage Specialist
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program
Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) is the most destructive pest of soybean in the United States. Yield losses in soybean due to SCN have been estimated at more than $1 billion annually in the U.S. Because the nematode can be present in fields without causing obvious aboveground symptoms, yield losses caused by SCN are often underestimated.
After three years of intensely surveying field soils in 17 counties from Western through Northern NY counties (2014-2016), the nematode was identified for the first time in Cayuga County in 2016. A Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) in 2019, funded by NYS Dept. of Ag. and Markets, identified seven more positive fields in six additional counties. The map below outlines survey efforts and results conducted by CALS faculty, staff, and students. Formal statewide funded SCN testing will continue in 2020 and beyond, supported by the CAPS program and the NY Corn and Soybean Growers Association.
Field Crops Specialist Josh Putman, is now monitoring soybean fields in SWNY that display uneven drydown patterns or random yellow patches. The best way to confirm SCN is to scout soybean fields with symptoms, dig plants, look for cysts on the roots, and submit a soil sample for testing and confirmation. We are looking to sample 2-3 fields per county within the SWNY region and test for SCN. If you see uneven patterns in your soybean field or suspect an issue, contact Josh Putman to visit your fields. Additional resources about SCN can be accessed at: https://www.thescncoalition.com/resources/tools-to-download.
Upcoming Events
WEBINAR - Automated Milking Systems Efficiency: Balancing Focus on Individual Cows and System Optimization
May 8, 2024
Please join Cornell the SWNY team and MSU Extension for our talk with Dr. Pablo Silva BoloƱa on improving efficiency of Automated milking systems by focusing on milking settings for individual and group success.
Broiler Field Day at Sunny Cove Farm
June 6, 2024
Alfred Station, NY
Join us for a field day to explore broiler production, processing, and finances. Meghan Snyder of Sunny Cove Farm will be our host. She raises small batches of organic broilers, processing them on-farm under the 1,000 bird exemption.
Stockmanship and Stewardship 2024
October 25, 2024
Hamburg, NY
Save the date!! The event is one of 4 across the US and is a two-day educational experience featuring low-stress cattle handling demonstrations, Beef Quality Assurance educational sessions, facility design sessions, and industry updates.
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