Survey Results Show Impact:

1
INCREASING AWARENESS OF SOYBEAN CYST NEMATODE IN
SOUTHEAST NEBRASKA THROUGH EXTENSION PROGRAMMING.
Lesoing, G.W., Giesler, L.J., Hay, P.C.,
Heidzig-Kraeger, S.L., Wilson, J.A., University
of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension
Impact
Program Delivery Methods
Abstract
Survey Results Show Impact

• Partner with Nebraska Soybean Board and Industry
• Complementary Sampling of Fields Analysis for
  SCN
• Initiate SCN Field Research
• Field Days
• Distribute Publications on SCN Management
• Crop Clinics
• Newsletters
• Newspaper articles
• Website
• Conduct survey of producers.

Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) is one of the most
yield-limiting pests of soybeans in Nebraska.
Soybean producers in the United States lost over
300 million bushels to the soybean cyst nematode
from 2003 to 2005. More yield is lost to SCN than
any other soybean pathogen. While SCN is a
relatively new soybean pest to most Nebraska
soybean producers, 47 of the states 93 counties
have fields that have tested positive for SCN
through 2008. Many fields do not even display
visual symptoms from SCN, but exhibit significant
yield losses of 30 percent. The impact of SCN on
soybean producers in southeast Nebraska is
difficult to measure. In 2004 a project was
initiated to determine the extent of SCN
infestations in southeast Nebraska, evaluate the
impact of SCN on soybean production, increase the
awareness of SCN and educate soybean producers on
management of SCN. Through efforts of University
of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, the Nebraska
Soybean Board and support of the agricultural
industry, a successful SCN awareness and
education program has been developed in southeast
Nebraska.   From 2004-2008 in the southeast
Nebraska counties of Nemaha, Richardson, Otoe and
Johnson, over 130 fields were sampled, with 54
testing positive for SCN. Four fields days were
conducted to educate farmers on SCN and view
field trials conducted to evaluate the impact of
SCN infested fields on yields of SCN-resistant
and non-resistant varieties. A survey conducted
for soybean producers in 2008 indicated that 84
believe UNL Extension is providing the tools
needed to manage SCN.

• 65 farmers or 23 responded to a survey on SCN
  that went
• to 283 southeast Nebraska farmers.
• Respondents grow approximately 37,500 acres of
• soybeans.
• 88 of farmers are now aware of the yield
  reducing
• potential of SCN in soybeans.
• 77 of farmers go to UNL Extension for questions
  on SCN.
• 84 of farmers believe UNL Extension is
  providing the
• tools to effectively manage SCN.
• 63 of farmers are planting SCN resistant
  soybean
• varieties.
• 57 have a management plan to limit increase of
  SCN in
• their fields.
• 80 believe that improved management strategies
  against
• SCN can improve soybean yields.

Goals

• Determine the extent of SCN infestations in
  southeast
• Nebraska.
• Evaluate the impact of SCN on soybean production
  in
• southeast Nebraska.
• Increase soybean producers knowledge of SCN
• identification, biology and management.

At Field Days, SCN was shown to producers on
soybeans .
Program Results

• 1350 farmers in SE Nebraska increased their
  knowledge on the impact of SCN
• Over 130 fields were sampled for SCN, with 54
  of all fields testing positive, and over
• 75 of river bottom fields testing positive.
• SCN egg counts were generally low, less than 500
  eggs per 100 cc of soil , although a
• few fields ranged from 2,000-4,000 eggs and
  one sample contained 20,000 eggs per
  
• 100 cc of soil.
• Three Research Trials were conducted in 2004,
  2006 2008 to evaluate and compare
• SCN-resistant and susceptible soybean
  varieties in southeast Nebraska.
• In 2008 research trials in southeast Nebraska
  indicated a 12 bu/ac yield advantage for
• SCN- resistant varieties compared to
  susceptible soybean varieties.
• 110 farmers and consultants attended four SCN
  Management Field Days in 2004, 2006
• 2008.

Why?
Field Days provided the opportunity for farmers
to learn about soybean production and SCN from
UNL Extension Specialists.

• 1. SCN is the most yield limiting pathogen of
  soybeans in Nebraska.
• 2. Over one-half of Nebraska counties are
  infested with SCN and
• these counties produce over 80 of the
  soybeans grown in
• Nebraska.

2
Economic Impact of Programming
3

• At four SCN Management Field Days , participants
  estimated the value of the information presented
  was 35.08 per acre, which makes the value of
  these programs 1,315,500.
• 2. With approximately 50 of the 37,500 acres
  of fields
• infested with SCN in SE Nebraska and a
  potential 11
• bu/ac increase in yield by using resistant
  varieties , the
• potential increase in income at 10/bu due
  to SCN
• awareness is 2,062,500.

4
(Tom Schultz Iowa State University )
Free soil sampling testing for SCN helped
encourage farmers to test their fields .
Soybean Field Infested With a High Level of
Soybean Cyst Nematodes