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Red Crown Rot of Soybean Confirmed In Minnesota for The First Time

By Dean Malvick, University of Minnesota Red crown rot of soybean has been found for the first time in Minnesota. It was detected and confirmed in one field in southwestern Minnesota. This disease can cause significant yield loss in soybean depending on severity, weather, and timing of disease development. Red crown rot is caused by a soilborne fungal pathogen (Calonectria ilicicola) that infects the roots and lower parts of stems of soybean plants. Symptoms on leaves include yellow and brown patches between veins that are like symptoms of sudden death syndrome (SDS) and brown stem rot (BSR). Red coloration (similar to Rhizoctonia stem rot) and reddish dots develop on roots and lower stems, and roots are often rotted. The disease in Minnesota was confirmed to be red crown rot based on signs and symptoms of the disease as well as by isolation and identification of the pathogen via DNA sequencing. Red crown rot symptoms on roots and leaves of soybean ( Photos courtesy of N. Kleczewski, S...
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What to do with leftover pesticide-treated seed

Jamison Scholer, MDA Research Scientist. Reviewed by Jolene Warnke, Tana Haugen-Brown, and Sally Raymond, Extension Educators, UMN Pesticide Safety and Environmental Education program Sample of treated soybean. Photo credit: Tana Haugen-Brown Do you have leftover pesticide-treated seed and are not sure what to do with it? The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has created a helpful fact sheet to guide you through proper disposal, along with relevant state regulations. You can find it here: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/w-hw4-51.pdf . Although pesticide-treated seed isn’t categorized as a pesticide product, it is still considered industrial solid waste. Leftover pesticide-treated seed must be disposed of properly to minimize contamination of water resources and harm to wildlife. Planting treated seed on a farm. Photo: AdobeStock Farmers, retailers, distributors, and manufacturers who generate leftover pesticide-treated seed and its packaging are responsible for...
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Phosphorus fertilizer sources: What are the differences and which one should you use?

By: Dan Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist For most farmers, the source of dry phosphorus (P) fertilizer is limited to what local retailers have on hand. The most common sources sold in Minnesota are mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP) and di-ammonium phosphate (DAP). Triple superphosphate (TSP) and Crystal Green (struvite) are also available in some areas. What are the differences between these sources and how should growers decide which one to use? What are the differences between MAP and DAP? The chemical formulas for MAP and DAP are: MAP: NH₄H₂PO₄ DAP: (NH 4 ) 2 HPO 4 Looking at the chemical formulas, the primary difference between MAP and DAP is the number of ammonia (NH₄) ions present. MAP contains one ammonium ion per phosphate versus two for DAP. An additional difference is that, when MAP is dissolved in water, it tends to produce an acidic pH while DAP is more alkaline (basic). Since MAP is acidifying, it provides more available P for high pH soils. However, most resea...
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High stakes harvest 2025: Soybean resources

Claire LeCanne, Angie Peltier, Matthew Pfarr, Lizabeth Stahl, Extension educators - crops Photo: Sara Berg Market forces have resulted in lower farm-gate soybean prices through Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) and local basis combinations. Soybean producers may wish to store soybeans if they feel they can capture higher prices later or if they simply have no acceptable market options in their geography. As soybeans are often sold right off the field it is helpful to review the principles for successful on-farm storage as some producers may wish to pivot. Soybean storage options Moisture is key but not the whole story for successful farm storage of soybeans. Soybean yield is typically normalized to 13% moisture and soybean buyers will pay full price for soybeans up to a moisture content of 13%. Also, grain bins will typically store 13% moisture soybeans for up to 6 months without spoilage at temperatures below 60°F.   However, even when soybeans are at the standard moisture cont...
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A Tiny Bit of Good News

Other than the great weather, there isn't much to smile about since soybean harvest started: The  basis in the Northern Plains  has plunged far below historical levels, while prices across the board, including soybeans, are quite a bit lower than the past three years.   Indications are that much the same is true for spring wheat. So....is there any good news? USDA-NASS released its annual Small Grains Summary hours before the federal government shutdown on September 30th. The good news? Minnesota's spring wheat crop averaged 69 bu/acre, eeking out a new state record by 0.5 bu/acre.  A tiny bit of good news.
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In Other News From the Neighborhood

Mayetiola destructor  is thought to have evolved alongside the ancestors of wheat, barley, and rye in the Fertile Crescent region of the Middle East. It is believed to have been introduced into North America in the straw bedding of Hessian mercenaries during the American Revolution, making it likely the first invasive insect pest on the North American continent. Its common name became Hessian fly as a result of this introduction. Hessian fly is now a permanent resident anywhere in North America where wheat, barley, or rye is grown. Populations of Hessian fly, and in turn economic losses, can effectively be held in check with the use of Hessian fly-resistant varieties, seeding winter cereals after the so-called fly-free date, and avoiding the green bridge with proper field hygiene by destroying volunteers of any host species early enough that the insect can not migrate to the newly seeded host species. A few summers ago, Hessian fly infestations in spring wheat reached high enough l...
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Updated corn nitrogen rates: What are we currently seeing for N fertilizer requirements in Minnesota?

By: Dan Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist & Fabian Fernandez, Extension nitrogen management specialist A recent update has been made to University of Minnesota Extension’s suggested nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates for non-irrigated corn. The update adds data from the 2022, 2023, and 2024 growing seasons to our long-term dataset. The tables below summarize the current values which are included in the updated Fertilizing Corn in Minnesota web page and publication, as well as the Corn Nitrogen Rate Calculator. The inclusion of the newer data resulted in an increase in suggested N application rates for both corn following corn and corn following soybean, with an increase in suggested N rates of around ten pounds per acre in both situations.  For those using the Corn Nitrogen Rate Calculator , results may vary from the below tables within 1-2 lbs. for similar price ratios due to rounding of the values used in the tables. The acceptable range is included to account for...
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