Solving the irrigation puzzle in the Pacific Northwest

Cercospora leaf blight (CLB) is a major disease that can significantly decrease soybean yield and grain quality. To aid practitioners, this article describes how to identify and manage CLB, which is caused by several Cercospora species. Symptoms of CLB on leaves, pods, and soybean seeds, which often appear late in the season, are described. Readers will also learn about environmental conditions (including humidity and temperature) that favor disease transmission, as well as how to properly collect samples for accurate diagnosis. 

Earn 2 CEUs in Integrated Pest Management by reading this article and taking the quiz.

Maximizing wheat yield while maintaining grain protein is a perennial challenge in the semi-arid Great Plains, where weather variability complicates nitrogen (N) management decisions. This study shows how N rates, soil conditions, and seasonal precipitation interact to influence both yield and protein and when higher N inputs pay off economically. The results provide practical, weather-responsive guidance to help producers and their advisers fine-tune N strategies for improved productivity, grain quality, and profitability under dryland conditions.

Earn 1 CEU in Nutrient Management by reading this article and taking the quiz.

Can healthier soils help crops withstand drought? The free Drought Resilience Calculator gives farmers and advisers a powerful way to see how practices like residue management and increasing soil organic carbon can improve water availability during dry periods. Built on decades of research and local soil and weather data, this easy-to-use tool helps visualize the real-world drought resilience benefits of soil health management.

This article is the first in a new series titled, “Soil Carbon in the Carolinas.” It is adapted from a series that originally was published in The Carolina Cattle Connection. While regional soils, climate, and farm data from North and South Carolina are used as primary examples, readers outside the Carolinas will still find it highly useful, especially for understanding soil health, interpreting soil carbon data, and advising on management practices that build resilience.

This first article in the series highlights how soil carbon improves physical structure, nutrient retention, water availability, and biological activity, making soils more resilient and fertile. It also shows that soil carbon varies with depth, texture, and region, and that good forage and grazing management can significantly increase soil carbon storage and help address climate challenges.

Earn 0.5 CEUs in Soil & Water Management by reading this article and taking the quiz.