2019
Soybean Extension Group: Bringing Science to Farmers
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Field management
Lead Principal Investigator:
Daren Mueller, Iowa State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Martin Chilvers, Michigan State University
Albert Tenuta, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture-Food & Rural
Carl Bradley, University of Kentucky
Kiersten Wise, University of Kentucky
Loren Giesler, University of Nebraska
Shawn Conley, University of Wisconsin
Damon Smith, University of Wisconsin
+6 More
Project Code:
NCSRP
Brief Project Summary:

Research is conducted by many entities, not all of which require reporting outputs to end users. The may result in a lag in information transfer that can delay its impact on soybean production. Our group bridges the gap between research and Extension, providing farmers with up-to-date information on soybean management. Formerly the North Central Disease Study Group, the group has expanded to include soybean agronomists and entomologists, with the goal of diversifying information to farmers about soybean issues. The developed model improves awareness of soybean issues and creates a template for information recognized by farmers as an output by Extension (through the Crop Protection Network) and NCSRP.

Key Benefactors:
farmers, extension crop specialists, agronomist, entomologists, plan pathologists

Information And Results
Final Project Results

Update:
Reporting period: 10.01.18 to 9.30.19

Objective 1: Develop and distribute information on emerging and important soybean diseases
• Create awareness of emerging diseases and update current disease management recommendations based on the latest research
• Create at least two publications per year on new and emerging disease issues

Accomplishments toward objective during reporting period:

Developed a web tool that allows for Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs) to gain continuing education units (CEUs) for reading Crop Protection Network publications and then passing a corresponding quiz. This tool is found at https://ceu.cropprotectionnetwork.org and there are publications with quizzes, including the following publications sponsored through NCSRP:
• Charcoal Rot: doi.org/10.31274/cpn-20190620-010
• Considerations for Selecting Soybean Varieties: doi.org/10.31274/cpn-20190620-011
• Factors to Consider Before Using a Soybean Seed Treatment: doi.org/10.31274/cpn-20190620-012
• Frogeye Leaf Spot: doi.org/10.31274/cpn-20190620-013
• Pod and Stem Blight and Phomopsis Seed Decay: doi.org/10.31274/cpn-20190620-016
• Seedling Diseases: doi.org/10.31274/cpn-20190620-023
• Soybean Vein Necrosis Virus: doi.org/10.31274/cpn-20190620-025
• Stem Canker: doi.org/10.31274/cpn-20190620-026
• Sudden Death Syndrome: doi.org/10.31274/cpn-20190620-028
• White Mold: doi.org/10.31274/cpn-20190620-030

This web tool was released in June 2019 and more than 200 quizzes have been taken across a variety of topics, with 108 CEUs being awarded to many CCAs on a variety of topics.

Created a new Crop Protection Network (CPN) webpage with updated functionality at https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/. This webpage also includes sponsor information and directs viewers towards sponsor webpages https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/sponsors/.
This new website went live on March 19, 2019. More than 20,000 PDF views of soybean-related publications have occurred, including those viewed since the previous website when live.

Created a new publication on soybean disease losses:
• Bradley, C., Allen, T., Tenuta, A., Mehl, K., and Sisson, A. 2019. Soybean Disease Loss Estimates from the United States and Ontario, Canada – 2017. Doi.org/10.31274/cpn-20190729-001

Updated two publications on fungicide use in soybean:
• Members of the North Central Regional Committee on Soybean Diseases (NCERA-137). 2019. Soybean Disease Management: Fungicide Efficacy for Control of Soybean Foliar Diseases. Crop Protection Network: CPN 1019. Doi.org/10.31274/cpn-20190620-014

• Members of the Identification and Biology of Seedling Pathogens of Soybean Project and North Central Regional Committee on Soybean Diseases (NCERA-137). 2019. Soybean Disease Management: Fungicide Efficacy for Control of Soybean Seedling Diseases. Crop Protection Network: CPN 1020. Doi.org/10.31274/cpn-20190620-015


Developed Feature articles for Soybean-related management topics at the CPN website:
• Bradley, C., Mueller, D., Smith, D., Conley, S., and Wise, K. 2019. Soybean Seed Quality Considerations for 2019. Doi.org/10.31274/cpn-20190621-001.
• Mueller, D., Robertson, A., Stoetzer, E., Wise, K., Bradley, C., Tenuta, A., Chilvers, M., Smith, D., Conley, S., Matcham, E., Lindsey, L., Kleczewski, N., and Telenko, D. 2019. Foliar Fungicide Decisions for Late-Planted Crops. Doi.org/10.31274/cpn-20190729-003
• Wise, K., Allen, T., Mathew, F., Mueller, D. 2019. Diagnosing Interveinal Chlorosis in Soybeans – it’s not just SDS. Doi.org/10.31274/cpn-20190826-000.

These three feature articles have garnered nearly 4,000 views on the CPN website.

Information was disseminated through multiple channels to stakeholders.

New members from North Dakota State University and the University of Arkansas were added to the CPN Executive Committee.

Objective 2: Continue to work with Soybean Research and Information Initiative (SRII – now the SRIN) to improve soybean disease content on the website

Update and revise the SRII website (now the SRIN) to host most current information about soybean diseases, and insect and agronomic issues

Accomplishments toward objective during reporting period:
SRII was updated with the most current versions of Crop Protection Network publications on soybean disease management using foliar and seed treatment fungicides.

Other accomplishments:

A survey instrument was used to assess the value of the Crop Protection Network in mid-2019. This questionnaire was sent to users of the Crop Protection Network’s collaborative publication creating process, and 38 responses were collected. Although the data has not yet been fully analyzed, there are a few items that can be reported, and are found in the Performance Metrics and Final Project Results sections of this project update.

This project enabled leveraging of funds from multiple other sources including:
• North Central Integrated Pest Management Center
• USDA NIFA – Integrated Pest Management Program
• Individual state and Extension program funds to deliver and disseminate information

This project continues to leverage the resources developed toward creating outreach for other major crops in February 2019:

• Members of the Corn Disease Working Group. 2019. Corn Disease Management: Fungicide Efficacy for Control of Corn Diseases. Crop Protection Network: CPN 2011. Doi.org/10.31274/cpn-20190620-002

• Friskop, A., Stoetzer, E., Mueller, D., Telenko, D., and Johnson, K. 2019. Ergot: Six things to be mindful of with ergot in small grains and grasses. Doi.org/10.31274/cpn-20190903-000.

• Telenko, D., Chilvers, M., Kleczewski, N. Smith, D., Byrne, A., Devillez, P., Diallo, T., Higgins, R., Joos, D., Kohn, K., Lauer, J., Mueller, B., Singh, M., Widdicombe, D., and Williams, L. 2019. How Tar Spot of Corn Impacted Hybrid Yields During the 2018 Midwest Epidemic. Doi.org/10.31274/cpn-20190729-002.

View uploaded report PDF file

View uploaded report 2 PDF file

View uploaded report 3 PDF file

View uploaded report 4 PDF file

The Crop Protection Network (CPN) has a direct benefit to soybean farmers and agronomists in the North Central region and elsewhere by providing current and timely Extension material to aid in the identification and management of diseases. This project also increased collaboration between university scientists, as well as reduced duplication of extension efforts.

This includes the creation and updating of extension publications at the CPN and Soybean Research Information Network (SRIN), the creation of webtools to help crop advisors and others, and updating the web presence of CPN in 2019. These publications and tools are available at https://cropprotectionnetwork.org and https://ceu.cropprotectionnetwork.org

Besides the number of publication views, website metrics, and credits earned, a survey instrument was used to assess the value of the Crop Protection Network. Respondents reported short term (change in knowledge) and medium term (change in behavior) impacts among the clientele they serve. Selected information is as follows:
• 95% of respondents either strongly agreed or somewhat agreed with the following statement: The collaborative nature of the CPN has increased value and impact of the information provided (e.g., richer/better/more applicable information). N=38
• 91% of respondents reported an extension client increase in knowledge about disease management. N=34
• 97% of respondents reported an extension client increase in knowledge about fungicide efficacy. N=34
• 76% of respondents reported an extension client change in behavior as a result of the information provided by CPN. N=38

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.