Georgia Soybean News Soybean / Small Grain Expo set for February 4th. Farmers Putting Soybean Checkoff Dollars to Work for You

Transcription

1 GEORGIA SOYBEAN COMMODITY COMMISSION Georgia Soybean News Volume 2, Issue 4 Winter 2015/ Soybean / Small Grain Expo set for February 4th Farmers Putting Soybean Checkoff Dollars to Work for You INSIDE THIS ISSUE How Weeds Become Resistant Soybean Historic Marker Dedication Godwin Reappointed To USB 5 Tasks That Will Help You In 2016 Improve Sustainability GATE Cards Expire December 31st The Georgia/Florida Soybean Association and the Georgia Soybean Commodity Commission present the Soybean & Small Grain Expo on February 4, 2016 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry. The Expo provides up-to-date market projections and information on the newest production techniques, as well as remarks from University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences leaders. Dr. Nathan Smith World Outlook for Southern Ag Commodities John Anderson The Farm Bill Update Dr. Michael Towes Stored Grain Insect Control Dr. Christina Cowger Fusarium head blight (scab) of small grains Dr. Eric Prostko 2,4-D and Dicamba Resistant Soybeans Billy Skaggs Update on Research Projects funded via the Soy Checkoff PLUS Presentations related to soybean/wheat production, the latest Extension recommendations, and an update on the UGA wheat breeding program. Come visit with our exhibitors who will be showcasing the latest in new varieties and integrated pest management products. Should you have questions or comments, please contact the Georgia/Florida Soybean Association at

2 Page 2 Georgia Soybean News How Weeds Become Resistant 1957 The first herbicide-resistant weed 143 The number of weeds with herbicide-resistance in the U.S. today 13 No. of weeds in the U.S. resistant to glyphosate What caused the rapid evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds? Herbicide-resistant weeds have evolved in response to repeated use of herbicides with the same site of action (SOA). How does herbicide resistance evolve? Herbicide applications that eliminate susceptible weeds before they reproduce create a selective advantage for any rare, resistant individuals in the weed population. Reproduction by these escapees then transmits the resistance trait to their offspring, facilitating their survival when exposed to the same herbicide SOA. Sustained use of either the same herbicide or, in some cases, the same SOA, favors survival and reproduction of these resistant biotypes, leading to a weed population in which resistant plants dominate. Repeating the same control tactics at a given time may also result in the evolution of avoidance mechanisms in a weed population by selecting for biotypes that have not emerged, or are outside the optimal growth stage, when control is implemented. Did biotechnology cause HR weeds? Herbicide-resistant weeds did not begin with herbicide-resistant crops; resistant weeds have been evolving in conventional crop cultivars worldwide from selection pressure placed on them from repeated use of herbicides. A plant does not evolve resistance because herbicides cause a genetic change in the plant that makes it resistant. Rather, a few plants with natural resistance to the herbicide survive an application of the herbicide, and as those plants reproduce and each generation is exposed to the herbicide, the number of resistant plants in the population increases until they dominate the population of susceptible plants. The wide-scale use of any single herbicidal SOA contributes to the evolution of resistance to that SOA, and the unprecedented scale of glyphosate use in glyphosate-resistant (GR) crops has clearly contributed to the number of GR weeds identified in recent years. See more at:

3 Volume 2, Issue 4 Page 3 Historic Marker Text In 1764, Samuel Bowen, a former seaman employed by the Honorable East India Company, brought soybeans (Chinese vetch) to the Savannah, the Colony of Georgia, from China via London. Since Mr. Bowen did not have land available to sow seeds, he asked Henry Yonge, the Surveyor-General of Georgia, to plant the first North American soybean crop in the spring of Henry Yonge s plantation was called Orangedale and was located on Skidaway Island. Today the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, a research unit of the University of Georgia, is situated on part of the Orangedale property. Bowen and Yonge s endeavors gave birth to the thriving U.S. soybean industry.

4 Page 4 Georgia Soybean News Georgia s Walter Godwin reappointed to United Soybean Board Georgia / Florida Soybean Association President Walter Godwin is one of 17 soybean farmers from across the country appointed by US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack as a director of the United Soybean Board (USB). Godwin, from Mitchell County, is one of 12 returning directors. The board was recently sworn in at the USB Annual Meeting in St. Louis. Godwin will serve a three-year term. The USB board of directors invests soy checkoff funds on behalf of all US soybean farmers in projects to improve farmer profit potential and expand soy markets. The USB and soy checkoff is overseen by the USDA s Agricultural Marketing Service. 5 Tasks That Will Help You in ) Take soil samples A solid nutrient-management plan begins with a soil test. After harvest is an ideal time to take soil samples since it allows for plenty of time to process the results and develop a nutrient-management plan before the next growing season. 2) Update your nutrient-management plan Your nutrient-management plan should be a long-term plan, but be sure to update it when you have your soil-test results. Now is the time to apply any fall fertilizer or lime as outlined by your plan. 3) Protect your soil Look for ways to minimize soil loss when there is no crop growing in your fields. If you don t already, consider planting a cover crop to reduce soil erosion and hang on to soil nutrients during the offseason. 4) Repair equipment Harvest can be tough on your equipment. Now is the time to start making repairs so it s ready to go when you re ready to use it again. Be sure to clean your equipment before putting it back in the shed for the winter. It s important for general upkeep and toprevent weed seeds from spreading between fields. 5) Select seed for next year Harvest is over, and now it s time to plan for next year. If you haven t already, do your research and set up a meeting with your seed dealer(s) to place your seed orders. For more information, visit

5 Volume 2, Issue 4 Page 5 Improve Sustainability All Year Long Soybean farmers are committed to continuous improvement making sure the land they farm now is prosperous for years to come. Sustainability is a year-round effort; start your sustainability journey with these 10 sustainable practices. For more information and additional resources, visit

6 Farmers Putting Soybean Checkoff Dollars to Work for You. GEORGIA SOYBEAN COMMODITY COMMISSION 2425 South Milledge Avenue Athens, Georgia Phone: Fax: Commission Members Greg Mims, Chairman Donalsonville, GA Ray Cobb Davisboro, GA Joe Moore Resaca, GA Brian Ogletree Milner, GA Tony Smith Arlington, GA Billy Skaggs Executive Secretary 2015 GATE Cards Expire December 31 The Georgia Agriculture Tax Exemption (GATE) program is an agricultural sales tax exemption certificate issued by the Georgia Department of Agriculture that identifies the card holder as an ag producer qualified for the tax exemption. All 2015 GATE cards expire Dec. 31. To renew your card visit forms.agr.georgia.gov/gate/ or call FARM-TAX ( ) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. There is a $20 fee for online applications and a $25 fee for applications made via mail or phone. Many county Farm Bureau offices will assist their members with online signups or renewals. The GATE card should only be used to purchase items that qualify under the program for the production of agricultural commodities.