New Crop Scouting Resources Available

May 14, 2025

By Liz Gartman

The UW–Madison Division of Extension Crops and Soils Program has released two resources for field crop scouting: the Field Scouting Report Template and the Scouting Tools Checklist.

The Field Scouting Report Template is designed to streamline the process of documenting field conditions. It includes sections for recording grower and scout information, crop details, and observations on weed pressure, insect damage, and disease infection. This template helps crop scouts systematically capture data at each survey stop, ensuring comprehensive and consistent reporting.

Download the Field Scouting Report Template

Complementing the report template, the Scouting Tools Checklist provides a detailed list of essential tools for effective field scouting. It covers field tools like soil probes, insect vials, and sweep nets, as well as personal materials such as sunscreen and bug repellant. This checklist ensures scouts are well-prepared for any situation they might encounter in the field, promoting thorough and accurate assessments.

Download the Scouting Tools Checklist

Together, these resources enhance the efficiency and accuracy of field crop scouting, supporting better decision-making and crop management.

Source : wisc.edu

Video: Our Own On-Farm Research Is the Best Source - Managing White Mold in Northeast Nebraska

If you assumed Nebraska was too hot and dry for white mold to be a problem in soybeans, think again.

This week we're featuring Galen Samuelson, a farmer and dealer from Wakefield, Nebraska, who knows all too well how devastating white mold can be.

"We don't have it consistently every year, but with our temperature and humidity, it can hurt us quite bad," Samuelson says. Looking for alternatives, he explains, "What I like about Heads Up is that it's non-harmful to the beneficial fungal colonies in the soil." Galen has been using Heads Up for several years now, after first hearing about it through a small ad in a regional newspaper. Watch below to hear about his journey.

When asked to write about Samuelson Seed, Galen said the following:

"Samuelson Seed is a 4th-generation, family-based company. It started with my grandfather, and I'm now starting to pass the torch to my son, Caleb."

"In the early 1990s, I started working with a company whose focus was on plant and soil health before those benefits were widely known. I've continued to keep plant and soil health the main focus in our farming operation decisions."