Soybean disease education which focused on SCN identification, management, and testing in addition to other soybean diseases was provided to over 2,000 producers and consultants at various meetings which included: Private Applicator Training (statewide), Commercial Applicator Training (Sioux Falls (2), Yankton, Mitchell, Pierre, Brookings, Aberdeen, Watertown), Row Crop Clinics (statewide), 1st ever SDSU hands-on winter Agronomy Shortcourse (lecture and lab), Independent Crop Consultants Update, Soybean Cyst and Soybean Aphid Education Clinic, Grower Days, Farm Tours, and the SDSU IPM Field School for Agronomy Professionals.

Forty four SDSU agronomy students enrolled in the Soybean Production Course heard multiple presenations focused on soybean diseases and SCN identification and management while we (SDSU Extension) were guest lecturers. 607 students and 168 adults had the opportunity to learn about soybean diseases through plant mounts and photos and see SCN cysts at aWomen in Science event geared towards 8th Grade Females. Another 350 students were able to observe soybean disease plant mounts, photos, and SCN cysts at Sanford Promise Day which is an event gerared towards those students interested in science. In addition, soybean disease education and SCN testing was also promoted and SCN sample bags were made available at the Dakota Farm Show in Vermillion, the Sioux Falls Farm Show, the Southeast Research Farm (SERF) tour in rural Beresford, and the South Dakota State Fair. Numerous iGrow articles and Sioux Falls Regional Extension Center news columns were written and focused on soybean diseases and pests. Also, different media reports and interviews (WNAX, KWAT, KELO AM, SD Public Broadcasting, Red River Farm Network, iGrow Radio, Tri-State Neighbor, Yankton Press and Dakotan, and the Green Sheet) were given. A media focus was geared towards SCN, what it is, when to sample, how to sample, etc.

We updated/re-wrote the SCN publication. Additional iGrow articles written to support and promote soybean disease education included soybean cyst nematode, phytophthora root rot, brown stem rot, and sudden death syndrome of soybeans. Additional soybean disease factsheets are under review for updating. A misunderstanding occurred and apparently I put the printing costs for the updated and/or new publications in the wrong category so the updated and/or new publications were not printed this fiscal year.

We conducted an evaluation survey focused on soybean seedling diseases and fungicide use in soybeans. This survey was conducted in the Southeastern part of the state during CATs, PATs, and the Row Crop Clinic. 491 producers completed the surveys.

In asking the question, “Based on what you have learned at Extension meetings the past two years, has your ability to manage seedling diseases of soybean improved?”
~ 331 producers answered yes that their ability to manage soybean seedling diseases improved; while 31 producers did not answer this question.
Another question we asked was, “What seedling disease management practices have you incorporated into your production?”
~ 282 producers stated seed treatments
~ 34 producers stated changes in planting dates
~ 191 producers said resistant varieties
~ While 27 producers answered “other”
~ 56 producers said “none”
~ And 25 producers did not answer this question

Soybean producers were asked to think about the past two growing seasons, and estimate the average impact (in bushels per acre) that seedling disease management strategies have had on soybean yields.
Results were:
~ 76 producers stated 0 bushels per acre
~ 155 producers answered 1-2 bushels per acre
~ 162 producers said 3-5 bushels per acre
~ 55 producers stated more than 5 bushels per acre
~ While 43 producers did not answer this question
The last question soybean producers were asked involved early fungicide use (R1 – soybean beginning flowering) as part of their routine soybean disease management. Page 133 of 158
~ 336 soybean producers stated that they do not use an early fungicide as part of their routine soybean disease management strategy.
~ 117 soybean producers said that they utilize an early fungicide application a part of their routine soybean disease management strategy.
The results of this soybean disease survey will be used and considered when planning up-coming SDSU Extension educational programs, articles, publications, and media interviews.
~ Due to FMLA, a few supplies were not ordered and travel was not used like anticipated.