Here are Excerpts from the "Extension Update" newsletter:

• USDA's Acreage Report today indicated 92.888 mil. acres of corn were planted this spring, up 19% from 2006, and above the range of 89.85 and 91.70 million acres expected by the market. USDA also reported 64.081 mil. acres of soybeans were planted this year, down 15% from the 2006 crop. That is well below the 66 to 69 mil. acre range expected by the market. The report was bullish for soybeans and bearish for corn.
• USDA also released the Quarterly stocks report. Corn stocks were reported at 3.53 bil. bu. which is down 19% the 4.362 bil. bushels a year ago. Bean stocks were estimated at 1.09 bil. bu. which is up 10% from the 991 mil. bu. a year ago. Wheat stocks are estimated at 456 mil. bu. which is a 20% decline from the 572 mil. of a year ago.

Prophylactic Fungicide Applications on Corn: A Good Practice?

If rumors hold true, Illinois will likely see higher use of foliar fungicides on hybrid corn in the 2007 growing season than in any of the previous seasons added together. Three factors seem to be driving this potential increase in fungicide use: market price of corn; increased corn-on-corn acreage, which increases foliar disease risk; and marketing of fungicide products. Although some of these factors may be good reasons to consider purchasing a corn fungicide, additional factors should be considered: the disease susceptibility of your hybrid; the weather (i.e., has conducive weather, namely rainfall and humidity, been present, or has weather been forecasted to be conducive for disease at tassel emergence and beyond?); and your scouting observations.

Scouting observations are very important and can be used to help make fungicide decisions. Below are some fungicide guidelines based on scouting observations (adapted from G. Munkvold, Iowa State University):

• Susceptible or moderately susceptible hybrids. A fungicide application should be considered if the disease is present on the 3rd leaf below the ear or higher on 50% of the plants before tasseling.
• Intermediate hybrids. A fungicide application should be considered if conditions and factors are favorable for disease. These include the following situations: there is a history of problems with gray leaf spot or other disease; the previous crop was corn and at least 35% surface residue; disease is present on the third leaf below the ear leaf or higher on 50% of the plants before tasseling; the weather is warm and humid through July and August.
• Moderately resistant or resistant hybrids. A fungicide application is generally not recommended, but field scouting is still important.

Prophylactic fungicide applications without scouting observations that favor an application are less likely to provide a yield benefit, and there are potential secondary adverse effects of applying an unwarranted fungicide, including the development of fungicide resistance.

A little background on the fungicides that will be applied to corn this season: these products contain a fungicide chemistry known as the "strobilurins." Some fungicides, like Headline and Quadris, contain only a strobilurin component; other fungicides, like Stratego and Quilt, contain a strobilurin component plus propiconazole, which is from another fungicide chemistry known as the "triazoles." The strobilurin fungicides have been characterized as being at high risk for the development of resistance to them, and resistance has been documented in several fungal pathogens that cause diseases of different crops.

Some of the same factors that encouraged the development of glyphosate herbicide-resistant palmer amaranth and waterhemp in the "weeds world" may also encourage the development of strobilurin fungicide-resistant pathogens in the "disease world." The pollen grains from palmer amaranth and waterhemp are extremely small, which allows their transport--and hence transport of potentially resistant genetic material--across long distances. Palmer amaranth and waterhemp also produce hundreds of thousands of seeds within about 40 to 60 days of germination. Similarly, many fungal pathogens of corn produce very mobile spores that can travel relatively long distances, and the number of spores that can be produced by fungal pathogens under suitable conditions are far greater than any weeds.

To reduce the risk of fungicide resistance development, follow these practices:

1. Apply a fungicide only when it is warranted. Use IPM practices, and base fungicide applications on good scouting observations.

2. Observe recommended fungicide rates. Applying a fungicide at a sublethal rate can increase the risk of fungicide resistance development.

3. Mix or alternate fungicides with different modes of action.

4. Do not make back-to-back applications of fungicides with the same mode of action.

2007 Logan Co. Field Crop Scouting Workshop Series

Date	Host	Educator	SW	NM	IPM	CM
May 16	Blair Hoerbert 2506 100th Ave. San Jose, IL 62682 (309)247-3547	Loretta Ortiz-Ribbing Crops Educator, U of I Extension	0	.5	1	.5
May 30	John Adams 1659 2500th St. Atlanta, IL 61723 (217)648-2338	Bill Dickerson District Conservationist Natural Resources	1	.5	.5	0
June 13	Richard Martin 542 1800th St. Lincoln, IL 62656 (217)732-3349	John Fulton County Extension Director, Logan County	0	.5	1	.5
June 27	John Fulton 2040 1700 Ave. Lincoln, IL 62656 (217)732-8289	Bill Dickerson District Conservationist Natural Resources	1	.5	.5	0
July 10 (note day change)	Broadwell Farm Center 204 Jacobs St. Broadwell, IL 62634 (217)732-7895	George Czapar IPM Educator, U of I Extension	1	0	1	1
July 25	AgLand FS – Mt. Pulaski 1758 St. Rte. 54 Mt. Pulaski, IL 62548 (217)792-5027	John Fulton County Extension Director, Logan County	1	.5	.5	0

The Field Crop Scouting Workshop series offers a combination of hands-on and classroom experience in integrated pest management and crop growth and development. CCA continuing education credits have been applied for at all sessions.

Session will be from 9-11 am each time at the listed cooperators farm, except the July 10 should include some additional time for a pond inspection. If you would like to be on the email reminder list for sessions, please send an email to fultonj@uiuc.edu . Of course, if you received this by email, you're on the list!

Please try to bring a lawn chair for the classroom portion of the sessions.

Logan County Extension Office

Week ending	Rainfall in inches	Week ending	Rainfall in inches
3/11	.14	6/10	0.0
3/18	.02	6/17	0.0
3/25	1.24	6/24	3.12
4/1	.34
4/8	.12
4/15	.80
4/22	0.0
4/29	1.32
5/6	.94
5/13	0.0
5/20	.6
5/27	.56
6/3	1.4

The beginnings of the Japanese beetle emergence is underway now. Small groupings have been seen feeding on field weeds and trees.

Field crop control measures are warranted when beetles are doing 30% defoliation on soybeans prior to bloom, 20% defoliation after bloom, and during pollination of corn when 3 or more beetles are clipping silks and pollination is not complete.

Products include most of the synthetic pyrethroids, Sevin XLR plus, and Lorsban 4E in some instances.

Logan County Extension Office

Week ending	Rainfall in inches	Week ending	Rainfall in inches
3/11	.14	6/10	0.0
3/18	.02
3/25	1.24
4/1	.34
4/8	.12
4/15	.80
4/22	0.0
4/29	1.32
5/6	.94
5/13	0.0
5/20	.6
5/27	.56
6/3	1.4

Dry conditions have brought about some relatively unusual insect phenomena such as false chinch bug and burrower bug. Both have the capacity to do damage, but often they are more conversational. Here is some information on burrower bugs from Mike Gray in 2001

What are burrower bugs?

These small insects (less than 8 mm in length) look somewhat like stink bugs.

They are slightly more oval than stink bugs and also have very small spines

that protrude from their tibiae (lower legs). Most burrower bugs are black

and found beneath objects such as stones, boards, and tufts of grass. They

also may be observed commonly around porch lights in the evening.

How do they injure plants? Like stink bugs and chinch bugs, they

may injure plants by removing plant fluids with their piercing and sucking

mouthparts. Damage is more likely to result if plants are under drought

stress. Are there any suggested economic thresholds or labeled insecticides for burrower bugs in corn and/or soybeans?

No. Because this insect is not a common pest, no thresholds have been

established for either crop. In corn, injury to plants may resemble chinch

bug feeding. No insecticides are labeled for burrower bug control in corn

or soybeans.

- SOUTHERN CORN LEAF BEETLE - While not really a 2007 area problem, the Southern Corn Leaf Beetle is at least "detectable" in the Sangamon-Menard Unit. Southern Corn Leaf Beetles are a more recent addition to our pest spectrum, only noted in our unit during the 1998 growing season. They became somewhat infamous during that brief period of time riddling the leaves and stems of seedling corn with small holes. One generation occurs in Illinois each year. The larvae, which resemble grape colaspis larvae, are typically deemed less significant than the adults, which overwinter in our area. As adults feed during the early spring, they also deposit eggs near the base of the corn plant. Adult injury to the plant, typically wraps up by mid to late June in our area. Cutworm thresholds of 3 percent stand reduction are used to gauge the severity of SCLB infestations and to gauge any need for management. (Picture type "southern corn leaf beetle" at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/PhotoLibPublic/?libID=1).
- CLOVER ROOT CURCULIO - These small 1/4 inch long, gray-brown mottled beetles are somewhat teardrop shaped and are very difficult to find in alfalfa (usually noted on the ground where they blend nicely with their surroundings). The leaf damage that they cause is more easily noted. The margins of alfalfa leaves are removed in crescent shape notches and stems are sometimes gnawed upon as well. Regrowth in our area has recently been damaged by the feeding of both clover root curculio in and alfalfa weevil adults. We recommend that producers use weevil thresholds to guide management "50 percent of the crowns damaged and regrowth prevented by 3 to 6 days." The larvae scar and pit legume roots and are usually deemed the more damaging stage. (Picture type "clover root curculio" at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/PhotoLibPublic/?libID=1).
- COMMON STALK BORER - Stalk borers are in "migration mode" and can occasionally be spotted as they move from small girth stem plant materials to larger girth stem plant materials. These insects overwinter as eggs on leaf material in border or "waste" areas, hatch in May, and begin to feed on plant material. Larvae injure corn when they borer into the stalk and begin to feed. The moths of the species will emerge in August. Larvae are typically of minor importance and usually appear only in that corn nestled against border areas and waterways. However, no-till and strip till areas (especially those plagued by weed management issues) may prove ideal for economically significant distribution. The critical period for management is that period when larvae migrate from small girth to large girth plant material. (Picture type "common stalk borer" at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/PhotoLibPublic/?libID=1).
- LEAF HOPPERS AND APHIDS - We remind producers to keep a wary eye on potato leafhopper populations in alfalfa, which seem to reached impressive levels. Remember that 0 to 3 inch alfalfa requires approximately 0.2 leafhoppers per sweep with a 15 inch sweep net. 3-6 inch alfalfa requires 0.5 leafhoppers per sweep, 6-12 inch alfalfa requires 1.0 per sweep, and 12 plus inch alfalfa requires 2.0 per sweep. In addition, producers are reporting impressive populations of cowpea aphid. While populations must be exceptional for this pest to warrant management, we still recommend that producers keep their eyes open for these small black shiny insects.

RUST UPDATE

Asian Soybean Rust has been detected in Louisiana in an area that "might" yield spores capable of reaching Illinois via prevailing winds in 2007. As happened last year, January and February appeared a little disturbing from an Asian Soybean Rust (ASR) standpoint but cold weather has once again largely driven ASR back into the state of Florida (which "might" be good news). Readers will remember that ASR did reach the state of Illinois in 2006 (a total of 8 Illinois counties). Additionally, it was detected in West Lafayette, Indiana. The ASR "remnants" detected in an Iowa grain bin just a couple months ago are now suspected to have been "planted" there by "less scrupulous" individuals. Regardless of this Iowa peculiarity, 2006 did indicate exceptional northward progress for this disease and thus accents the need for vigilance. Remember that U of I Extension offices serve as sites for initial rust diagnosis and that sentinel plots are scattered throughout the state to monitor for this disease as well. One should keep a vigilant eye on the lower quarter of the soybean plant. Should rust appear, this region of the plant will be more prone to display the roughly polygon-shaped lesions centered about a pustule. Also remember that a 40X lens should allow one to easily observe the spores nestled within the pustule (a quick means of identifying rust). (References include "Look Low As You Go" at: http://ipm.uiuc.edu/bulletin/pdf/protocol.pdf and "National Pest Alert Soybean Rust" at http://www.ncpmc.org/alerts/soybeanrust/soybeanrust_alert.pdf).

OTHER SOYBEAN LEAF DISEASES

The following represent some common soybean diseases, noted from May through August. We encourage readers to review these diseases as they attempt to "spruce up" their identification skills in preparation for rust scouting.

- SEPTORIA - Caused by the fungus Septoria glycines, Septoria leaf blight is sometimes the earliest disease spotted in the field. The disease can be noted on unifoliate leaves and is commonly noted on the lower part of the plant as the season progresses. Leaves may turn yellow and are covered (upper and lower surfaces) with small chocolate brown spots. The disease overwinters in debris, infects the lower part of the plant first (similar to the infection pattern of rust), and progresses up the plant via wind, rain, and contact with infected tissue. Septoria can appear over a much wider range of temperatures than some other noteworthy soybean leaf diseases (ideal temperatures range from the low 70s to the mid 90s). Minimum tillage and wet weather increase the chances that one might observe this disease as well. This disease is not deemed to cause noteworthy yield losses. (Picture type "septoria brown spot" at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/PhotoLibPublic/?libID=1).

-FROGEYE - Caused by the fungus Cercospora sojina, frogeye leaf spot has been known to occasionally appear in our area over the past few years. However, leaf symptoms have typically been restricted to a few haphazard markings as opposed to the more prolific "speckling" of trifoliates sometimes noted in other parts of our state. The fungus responsible for this disease overwinters in crop debris and can also be transported by infected seed. Spores are primarily transported via wind and tend to infect young tissue more easily than old tissue. For this reason, lesions associated with this disease are often noted on upper plant trifolates as opposed to lower trifolaites (a pattern of infection less similar to rust). Favored by temperatures in mid 70s to mid 90s, frogeye leaf spot also tends to appear when the weather has been wet. Crop scouts typically note 1/8 inch, light brown, slightly round lesions bordered by a thin dark brown band (thus the frogeye appearance). This disease is not deemed to cause noteworthy yield losses in our area in most cases. (Picture type "frogeye" at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/PhotoLibPublic/?libID=1).

- DOWNY MILDEW - The canopy of the bean crop generally is well established by the time this disease appears. Caused by the fungus Peronospora manshurica, Downy mildew typically does not cause significant yield losses when it shows itself in the field. The upper surface of infected leaflets is spotted with light yellow areas. Corresponding with each of these spots is a mass of fuzzy gray or slightly purple fungal hair that juts from the leaf underside directly below each area of discoloration. The fungus overwinters on infected leaf debris and can be transported via infected seed. It is primarily transported via wind and often is noted on the upper portion of the plant. Favored by cool temperatures (upper 60s to low 70s), the disease tends to show itself during wet, dewy, or humid conditions. (Picture type "downy mildew" at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/PhotoLibPublic/?libID=1).

- SUDDEN DEATH SYNDROME - Leaf symptoms of this disease are well known in the Sangamon-Menard area. The veins of infected plants remain green while the region between the veins turns brown during. Initially, small, irregular yellow blotches appear between the main veins of the plant. Symptoms typically appear throughout an impressive region of the upper 3/4 of the soybean canopy. Caused by the fungus Fusarium solani f. sp. glycines, Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) tends to appear when spring temperatures are cool and wet and late season conditions are slightly "stressful." A soil-borne fungus that actually infects the root in the spring, F. solani eventually produces toxins that are translocated to leaf tissue resulting in the leaf symptoms typically noted by producers. The fungus overwinters in debris (some studies also indicate that the fungus may be housed inside soybean cyst nematodes as well). Its look-a-like is "Brown Stem Rot," which also colonizes the root resulting is similar leaf symptoms. Brown Stem Rot is differentiated from SDS via a brown discoloration of the pith. (Picture type "sudden death syndrome" at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/PhotoLibPublic/?libID=1).

- BACTERIAL BLIGHT - Unlike the other, previously mentioned, leaf diseases; this leaf disease is caused by a bacterium termed Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea. The bacteria responsible for this disease overwinter in debris and can be transmitted via seed. Wind, rain, and infected leaf contact serve as the mode by which these bacteria are transported to otherwise healthy portions of the plant and a little bit of injury (such as the scouring of leaf tissue caused via blowing sand) increases the chances that one will encounter bacterial blight. Small, angular water-soaked spots eventually turn yellow then turn brown and then coalesce. These areas then drop from the plant and/or wind causes these areas to rip from the plant. The end product is a ragged, brown margined trifoliate that gives the infected field an unsettling appearance. Favored by temperatures in the mid 70s to mid 80s, this disease tends to be more prevalent on the upper portion of the plant (symptoms polar opposite to Asian soybean rust). Leaves also tend to remain on the plant. (Picture type "bacterial blight" at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/PhotoLibPublic/?libID=1).

- BACTERIAL PUSTULE - This disease, of all the diseases mentioned, has the best chance to be misidentified as Asian Soybean Rust. Small yellow-green spots with brown centers, wrapped about a pustule contribute to easy misidentification. Unlike ASR, this disease is caused by a bacterium termed Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines. The bacterium overwinters in unburied debris and wheat root tissues. Additionally, the bacterium can be transported via infected seed. Within the field, Xanthomonas is transported via the action of wind, rain, and leaf contact. Preferring warmer temperatures than those associated with Bacterial Blight (in this case mid 80s to mid 90s), bacterial pustule tends to appear on the upper portion of the plant (a distribution pattern atypical to soybean rust). Additionally, examination of the lesion via a 40X hand lens will show that pustules are devoid of spores.

GRAPE COLASPIS BACK FOR 2007

Grape Colaspis has made an "impressive" reappearance in our area with several area producers noticing evidence of injury from this pest in their fields. Sangamon-Menard Extension would rank area pressure as "the most intense observed in the last four years."
The adult Grape Colaspis resembles a brown Northern Corn Rootworm Beetle in size and shape and is typically noted on silks, corn leaves, or soybean trifoliates. Appearing around the middle part of June the adults mate, and females deposit egg clutches numbering approximately 30 per cluster. Egg deposition usually occurs in August, and the small white eggs hatch within a couple weeks. The resulting larvae, which resemble very small white grubs (roughly 1/8 3/16 inch long), spend the winter several inches deep in the soil profile. They migrate back into the root zone the following spring and cause the injury recently noted in several area fields. Following this period of feeding, which starts in May, they pupate in an earthen cell emerging as adults within a couple weeks. Then the process begins anew. A single generation of Grape Colaspis occurs each year in Illinois. (Picture type "grape colaspis" at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/PhotoLibPublic/?libID=1).
The larvae, as noted, are the more damaging stage of this insect pest and that damage consists of injury to the root tissue. Feeding reduced the ability of the root system to take up phosphorous (which results in purpling plus other nutrient deficiency symptoms). It also inhibits the plant's ability to take up moisture (which results in the browning and yellowing of leaf tips). Economically significant infestations may also occur where soybeans have been planted.
Management has typically focused on the use of such products as Aztec, Counter, or Poncho (registered trademarks - no promotion intended) at planting. Other products have proved ineffective on this pest, and there are no "after the fact" solutions to managing the larvae once damage appears. Rainfall should help plagued fields outpace root feeding injury.

AGRONOMY DAY

Thursday, August 16 has been set as the date for Agronomy Day 2007 at the Crop Sciences Research and Education Center on the Urbana campus of the University of Illinois. The theme for this year's Agronomy Day is "Growing Our Future"
This 51st consecutive Agronomy Day is a partnership among several academic units in the U of I's College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES). The event features four tours on the latest developments in agricultural research, as well as numerous tent displays.
A special program at noon will feature Hans Blaschek, Director of U of I's Center for Advanced BioEnergy Research (CABER). He will discuss the future of bioenergy and implications for Illinois agriculture.
"Agronomy Day provides faculty with the chance to discuss their latest research findings with clientele from Illinois and neighboring states," said Pat Tranel, associate professor of molecular weed science in the Department of Crops Sciences and chairperson for Agronomy Day. "The major focuses of this year's program will be bioenergy in Illinois and the expanding career opportunities for students in the field of crop sciences."
Tour topics will cover research on invasive insects and weeds, SCN management, soybean rust, biodiesel, and alternative energy sources.
Agronomy Day will begin at 7 a.m. Hour-long wagon tours around the research plots will repeat every half-hour as groups are available. Lunch will be available at a nominal charge.
The Crop Sciences Research and Education Center is located south of the U of I's main Urbana-Champaign campus off of St. Mary's Road on South Wright Street Extended.
Additional information about Agronomy Day 2007 is available at www.cropsci.uiuc.edu/agronomyday or by contacting Sharon Conatser, (217)333-4256.

University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

Logan County Extension Office

Week ending	Rainfall in inches	Week ending	Rainfall in inches
3/11	.14
3/18	.02
3/25	1.24
4/1	.34
4/8	.12
4/15	.80
4/22	0.0
4/29	1.32
5/6	.94
5/13	0.0
5/20	.6
5/27	.56
6/3	1.4