Soybean aphids have been around now for a few years, and we have learned a lot about them since their arrival.
They were particularly devastating in 2003 when they had their first real year of infestation in south central Minnesota. Since then we have been developing strategies to control them. However, research continues to see what we can do to control them without having to use as much insecticide as we have in the past.
Soybeans originated in China and other parts of Asia. They were imported here many years ago because of their versatility and many uses both as livestock feed and human food. For many years soybean plants were used as hay on area farms. For the past 40 years or so they have become an important part of our local crop rotation and almost every farm raises significant acreages of soybeans.
Soybean aphids made the jump from China within the past 10 years. No one is absolutely sure just how they made this jump. The problem here is that while the aphids were able to make the transition, the insect predators that help control them in their native land were not able to make the jump and thus soybean aphids have been able to cause a lot of problems and have not had as many predators to help control population as are needed.
In the Asian countries that raise soybeans, soybean aphids are almost non-existent or at low numbers due to these predators. One predator that is in the United States in great numbers is the Asian lady beetle.
These insects look like and are related to the common lady bug. They are more aggressive and when we have a year where we have a lot of soybean aphids, we will see a lot of these insects.
Most homeowners, especially in rural areas can tell you that they can be a real nuisance especially in the fall of the year when they come out of the fields and are looking for a place to overwinter. They will look for a place to spend the winter and often times will come into your house and make a mess.
So where does that leave us in 2008?
Well, the aphids are definitely here. If you haven’t checked your fields to determine not only whether or not you have aphids but also what population levels are out there it would be worth your effort.
The threshold that we are looking at is 250 aphids per plant. This may be less (or more) than you think. Scouting is necessary because the kind of typical summer weather that we have is not always conducive to aphid survival. Aphids need warm weather and moisture, but they have a fairly narrow range of temperatures before funguses can set in and kill most or all of the population.
Aphids are incredibly resilient. As a matter of fact, aphids are all females and are born pregnant. They can have many babies in a few days and can double and quadruple their populations in just a few days. However, this can also turn around just as quickly as the weather changes and temperatures and moisture levels allow aphid levels to plummet.
That is why you need to spend some time in your fields looking at plants and seeing what is actually out there.
Soybeans
Prime time for aphids
<i>Field scouting important to determine threshold</i>
- Soybeans
-
-
MDA offers help to farmers with grain storage shortages
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is linking up farmers who lost storage facilities due to summer storms with those who may have storage space available. The MDA has established a free online service where farmers needing storage can find a listing of farmers offering storage bins, buildings or space.
-
Grain Outlook: Little to attract corn buys
The corn market took full advantage of the holiday-shortened week to extend the losses of the previous week as there was little to attract buyers to the market.
-
Grain Angles: Kelly focused, passionate
This column is a dedication to Dennis Kelly, who passed away last week as he lost his battle with pancreatic cancer. Dennis was the author of this column for many years, contributing his vast experience and knowledge to The Land.
-
Grain Outlook: Corn futures fall hard
Potential increases in demand have been supporting the market lately, specifically the Chinese interest in buying corn.
-
Grain Outlook: Corn shining star for one week
Corn was the shining star of the commodity world this week as it was able to push higher in spite of negative macro influences.
-
Grain Angles: Fundamental case for lower prices
The early planting and warm weather is optimal for developing crops. As always, the weather that follows will make or break the crop.
-
Home improvements made greener with soybeans
Soy-based products can help today's homeowners improve the comfort and usability of their homes and make their improvements environmentally friendly at the same time.
-
Grain Outlook: Buying rumors, selling facts
The corn market staged an impressive mid-week rally this week based on trade talk that China was once again in the U.S. corn market, before giving back those gains - and more - in classic "buy the rumor, sell the fact" fashion.
-
Grain Outlook: World economics discussion points
Corn started off May holding up surprisingly well in spite of the extreme bearishness of outside markets. By the end of the week, everything caught up to it and corn put in its own bearish signals.
-
Grain Angles: Be a student of your business
May has been cooler and is starting to remind us of last year as we had a cooler-than-normal growing season. Soybeans are going into the ground at a record clip and will likely be complete by the time many of you read this column.
- More Soybeans Headlines
-
MDA offers help to farmers with grain storage shortages
