Dale Cowan has seen a lot of changes in agronomy and its application over his career. Well known for his exploration of new technology, the AGRIS Co-operative agronomy strategy manager and member of the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame gets excited when he discusses the benefits digital technology is bringing to the practice of agronomy.... Read More
Category: Soybean School
When growers discover soybean cyst nematode (SCN) in their fields, sudden death syndrome (SDS) may not be far behind. Those nematodes act as an enabler for SDS by creating an entry point for the disease pathogen to enter roots and infect the plant. That's why it's important for growers to employ an integrated management program... Read More
Soybean growers in Ontario are now seeing the impact of difficult spring planting conditions and a roller coaster growing season as they survey variability in crop maturity that's visible across farms and fields. On this episode of RealAgriculture Soybean School, BASF Canada agronomist Rob Miller offers tips on how to time harvest aid herbicide treatments... Read More
Soybean cyst nematode is the number one robber of soybean yield in fields across Ontario. In many instances, growers don't realize the pest is impacting yield because the damage is done underground as parasitic nematodes feed and reproduce on soybean roots and interfere with the plant's uptake of water and nutrients. On this episode of... Read More
Potassium deficiency can cost soybean growers as much as five to seven bushels per acre if the levels of the key nutrient sink below critical values. If farm fields show a deficit, how much potash should be broadcast to maintain yield? Is that rate safe for the plant and economical for the grower? Those are... Read More
New herbicide tolerant technology such as Enlist and Xtend soybean systems have helped solve significant management challenges, especially when it comes to tackling glyphosate resistant Canada fleabane and waterhemp. But Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness weed specialist Mike Cowbrough says farmers need to be vigilant when scouting their crops because "nature abhors a... Read More
The list of herbicides that are losing their effectiveness against kochia is growing, leaving fewer tools to control the rapidly-evolving tumbleweed in soybeans. As of 2024, kochia populations in the Canadian Prairies/Northern U.S. Plains region have shown resistance to herbicides in Groups 2, 4, 5, 9, and 14, with some plants showing combined resistance to... Read More
New developments in testing are expected to provide soybean growers with valuable information to fend off yield-robbing root rot caused by the water mould known as Phytophthora sojae. Beyond crop rotation and drainage, selecting varieties with genetic resistance, via major genes and overall field tolerance, is the best management tool for mitigating phytophthora infection, but... Read More
When fungicides are effectively applied to protect soybean plants growers can expect to see more uniform and bigger seed size when the combine rolls through fields at harvest. On this episode of the RealAgriculture Soybean School, BASF Canada agronomist Ken Currah says growers can harvest heavier and denser seed, which produces extra bushels, when they... Read More
It's late June and growers are still planting soybeans in Ontario. It's been that kind of year, says Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness soybean specialist Horst Bohner as growers in rain-soaked areas of the province make a final dash to plant soybean acres. On this episode of the RealAgriculture Soybean School, Bohner looks... Read More