Strategies to shield soybeans from white mold in Michigan

Sep 27, 2023

Michigan is witnessing a substantial white mold outbreak, affecting soybean yields considerably. LG Seeds' agronomist, Justin Schneider, is at the forefront, providing farmers with crucial insights and strategies to tackle this issue and safeguard future crops.

The weather, initially dry, followed by abundant rainfall, has been a catalyst for the widespread spread of white mold, putting many soybean plants at risk.

The impact on yield varies, but Schneider estimates a loss of 5% to 10%. To mitigate this, he emphasizes the importance of preventive measures. One of the primary defenses is choosing soybean varieties like LGS2001E3 and LGS2025XF, known for their resistance to white mold.

No-till farming is another beneficial practice, preventing the fungus spores from reaching the soybean flowers by utilizing the debris from previous crops.

Additionally, strategic crop rotation plays a vital role, especially following sugar beet crops, with corn being an ideal choice to reduce white mold levels. Fungicide application is also crucial, with timing adjustments based on row spacings to protect the plants effectively.

Finally, managing soil fertility is essential, avoiding over-fertilization, which favors white mold growth. By following these guidelines, farmers in Michigan can better manage white mold and ensure healthier soybean yields.

Source : wisconsinagconnection

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.