Soybean plant stand and other plant population information
In many of the soybean fields in Northwest Minnesota the soybeans plants have emerged. With frost damage in some areas and excess water in other areas of the region it is time to evaluate stands and determine whether you need to (partially) replant. Even in the absence of either frost or drown-outs it is not a bad idea to take some time and evaluate the stands

Moths in Small Grains
There have been numerous reports of moths in small grains throughout the RRV. We have had wind events that are of the type that bring us insects from the south – but in this case it’s not likely a problem. By far the most common moth in grain fields this week was the Forage Looper, Caenurgina erechtea.

Aphids in Small Grains
There have been some limited reports of winged aphids in small grains in the region. This is not unusual for this time of year. The aphids we get in small grains cannot overwinter in the region, rather populations need to be re-established annually from locations to the south.

Windy Conditions (and other issues) present a
Challenge for Early Season Weed Control: 
“What can be done to avoid herbicide drift complaints”
Has wind (or rain), good corn growing conditions and postemergence weed control created the perfect storm? This spring a combination of good growing conditions and a significant increase in glyphosate application on increasing acres of Roundup Ready™ corn has run into conflict with a very windy (and wet) spring.

Minnesota Fusarium Head Blight (Scab) Epidemic
Risk Forecasting Website
Wheat is growing rapidly in the RRV. Before you know it, awns will be emerging and a decision will need to be made about applying an early flowering fungicide. The on again-off again wet and humid weather conditions will increase the risk of a scab epidemic if the trend continues until the crop is flowering.

Managing soybean cyst nematode
in the Red River Valley
Currently, SCN has been established in only a few fields in the Red River Valley. Measures to slow the spread of SCN into uninfested fields can still be effective. The first step is detection of SCN in order to identify fields where SCN is present. Detection should be followed by actions to limit the spread of SCN and the buildup of populations of SCN where it does occur.