Even though it doesn't look like it right now, the 2008 growing season is getting closer. Now is a good time to "take stock" of your agronomy references – those resources that will come in handy during the upcoming growing season. Here are a few suggestions for your library or pickup truck.

The 2008 Illinois Agricultural Pest Management Handbook is a 294-page reference that consists of current pest (insects, weeds, and diseases) management guidelines for field crops, stored grain, and vegetable crops. Also included are brush control suggestions, weed control for non-crop areas, and various types of pesticide information (toxicity, weed resistance, restricted use pesticides, application and calibration, etc.).

The Field Crop Scouting Manual (5^th edition, 2004) helps you identify and evaluate common problems in the field. It describes nutrient deficiencies, herbicide injuries, insects, diseases, weeds, and other crop problems. It contains color photos, line drawings, and crop scouting worksheets and guidelines.

The Pocket Guide to Soybean Diseases in the Midwestern U.S. is a great tool to choose the best disease management strategy. The laminated guide covers 24 common soybean diseases and offers practical information on background, disease agent, symptoms, time of occurrence, conditions that favor disease, and management planning.

Color photos are included with each disease description for accurate identification.

The Field Guide to Corn Diseases is a laminated guide that provides the needed details to identify common disease problems in the cornfield. The booklet contains color photographs of more than 50 different diseases and physiological abnormalities.

For details on cost and ordering the above mentioned references, see this website https://pubsplus.uiuc.edu/. Your local University of Illinois Extension office can also help and provide information.

There are two Internet resources that should be utilized. A timely field crop on-line reference is The Bulletin, a source of pest management and crop development information available at this web site: http://www.ipm.uiuc.edu/bulletin/index.php

With the concern over soybean rust, producers can learn the current status and be updated on the disease at this web site: http://www.sbrusa.net/

Lastly, don't overlook crop scouting tools and personal protective equipment for pesticide application. Some companies that carry this equipment are Great Lakes IPM, Gempler's, and NASCO.