Soybean Workshop to Address White Mold and Irrigation

Purdue Extension has joined Michigan State University Extension in sponsoring a daylong program in which farmers will learn more about the soybean disease white mold and irrigation management. The program is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. EST on March 5 at the Blue Gate Restaurant, 195 N. Van Buren St., Shipshewana. White mold can cause significant yield losses in soybean fields during years when weather conditions favor infection. “One of the conditions that favors infection of soybean plants by white mold is a moist environment combined with cool temperatures during the early reproductive stages of soybean growth,” said Eugene Matzat, a Purdue Extension educator in LaPorte County and an organizer of the workshop. “Irrigating soybeans during the early flowering stage (R1) may make conditions more favorable for infection, especially if temperatures tend to be cool and remain cool for a while after irrigating.”

Speakers from North Dakota State University, Purdue and Michigan State will give presentations on a variety of topics important to soybean producers, and Don Stall, a two-time winner of the Michigan Soybean Yield Contest, will discuss his experience raising irrigated soybeans.

Other speakers and topics are:

* “Understanding and Managing White Mold in Irrigated Soybean Production Systems”: Michael Wunsch, plant pathologist at North Dakota State University.

* “Sudden Death Syndrome and White Mold Research Results and Management Recommendations from Indiana and Michigan”: Kiersten Wise, Extension field crop pathologist at Purdue, and Martin Chilvers, field crop pathologist, Michigan State University.

* “Breaking Bean Yield Barriers: The Next Generation”: Shaun Casteel, Purdue Extension soybean specialist.

* “Soybean Growth, Development and Yield”: Mike Staton, soybean educator at Michigan State University.

Other sponsors are the Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee.

Indiana producers can earn Pesticide Applicator Recertification Program and commercial applicator credits, and Michigan producers can earn pesticide recertification credits. Indiana Private applicators must bring their license and a $10 fee to receive PARP credit. Certified crop advisers can also earn continuing education units.

There is no fee to participate in the program, which includes lunch and educational materials. But registration is requested by calling 269-673-0370 before noon on Feb. 27. Online registration is also available at https://events.anr.msu.edu/event.cfm?folder=2015soybeanshipshewana