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Extension educator, farmer recommend vigilance for soybean aphids

It’s possible that aphids may soon do damage to Midwest soybean fields.  At Farmfest, Minnesota Extension Educator Dave Nicolai tells Brownfield that aphid populations vary, but he recommends frequent scouting to determine when it’s time to treat for them.

“The newer growth tends to be a little higher in nitrogen concentration, and in fact that’s where the aphids are seeking out some of that,” said Nicolai, talking to Brownfield Ag News Tuesday at the University of Minnesota Extension Service booth.  “Later on in August those aphids will move farther down into the canopy and you’ll have to really be looking farther down on the soybean plant for their existence.”

Chris Hill, who grows soybeans near Brewster, in the southwestern corner of Minnesota, says he has found some light aphid populations on his farm, and some populations that are heavier.

“It’s hit and miss,” Hill told Brownfield Ag News Monday.  “We have some fields where we’ve noticed counts high enough to spray, and some of the counts, it’s not there yet, so we just have to be vigilant and keep after it, check things out every day or so, and spray when necessary.”

Hill, who is also a board member on the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, says the organization is active in promoting biofuels and plans an event to spotlight the use of soybean oil in heating fuel.  The Minnesota Soybean Growers Association will host a delegation of East Coast Bioheat experts, as well as local and national biodiesel experts for a Biodiesel and Bioheat Forum August 19 in Mankato.

Hill and Nicolai are among exhibitors talking to people at Farmfest, which goes on through Thursday near Redwood Falls, Minn.

AUDIO: Chris Hill (2 min. MP3)

AUDIO: Dave Nicolai (5 min. MP3)