Volume 3 Issue 9     July 18, 2006

Polk County Soybean Variety Plot Tours
Tuesday    July 25   9:30AM    Rick Roed Farm N of Fosston
Wednesday    July 26   9:30AM   Tyler and HD Ross Farm W of Crookston

Soybean Rust in the U.S.: An update from a rust-free state
Soybean rust is in the news, but not in Minnesota. The aggressive fungal pathogen that causes Asian soybean rust continues to be of interest, and in the last two years has become commonly known in the southern US. The chances that it still may develop into a production issue here during 2006 dwindle with every week and each soybean growth stage that pass.

Soybean Aphids, Drought and Heat
Most questions about soybean aphid pertain to temperatures affecting the population growth, and how insecticide treatments might be impacted by high temperatures. The following comments were prepared by Dr. Ken Ostlie, Extension Entomologist with the U of Minnesota and should compliment earlier remarks published in previous issues.

Wheat and Barley Storage
Tips for on-farm grain storage from regional experts.

Dry Summer 2006 - Situation Report (July 11, 2006)
Weak northwesterly flow in the upper atmosphere since early May has led to often-comfortable temperatures and very few severe weather episodes. Inactive weather also means dry weather. When this persistent weather pattern has produced rain events at all, they have occurred in the form of geographically isolated, short-lived showers and thunderstorms.  

U.S. Drought Monitor
                                 http://drought.unl.edu/dm

Current Corn Conditions in Minnesota
Corn is extremely sensitive to soil moisture conditions now. For most of the state corn plants are under some level of low moisture stress. The effect this has on yield cannot be accurately assessed now, but the conditions are certainly not good for the crop.
 

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