By KEVIN WALKER
Michigan Correspondent

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Corn Marketing Program (MCMP), Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee (MSPC) and Michigan State University extension are teaming up again this year to present checkoff-funded research results for the benefit of farmers across the state.

The idea is to keep farmers up-to-date on how the research actually helps them, according to Jody Pollok Newsom, executive director of the MCMP.
“The program, for the most part, will be the same from one location to another, with only slight variations for short discussions on local research by extension educators,” said Dan Rajzer, an MSU extension specialist in Cass County.
One research topic that will be presented is the latest information on the Western bean cutworm (WBC), a recent addition to the list of pests with which Michigan farmers must contend. According to Pollok Newsom, the WBC has been in this area for several years.

Farmers in the Great Plains region of the country have been dealing with it for much longer. The caterpillar-like creature goes through several stages, eventually turning into a moth. It can seriously damage crops, if not dealt with effectively.

“It seems to behave quite a bit differently in Michigan than it does out West,” she said. “It’s relatively new in Michigan. It seems to live longer here and emerges longer. It seems to be overwintering here.”

Other research results discussed include the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) state survey, local research in corn and soybeans, management of manganese deficiencies in soybeans, Michigan’s corn performance trials, Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS), options for white mold management, economics and yield with different herbicide-resistant soybean traits, new products made with corn, “SPARTA” host plant resistance to soybean aphid and corn and soybean market prospects.

Regarding new products, Pollok Newsom said one example is a no-sodium salt substitute that Heinz is now using in its no-salt ketchup – and it’s made from corn. “This is the first product they have it in,” she added.

Keith Reinholt, director of research at the MSPC, said George Bird from MSU will present survey results from work he did earlier this year on the SCN in Michigan.

“He took a very detailed statistical sampling of fields across Michigan,” Reinholt said. “What percentage of fields across Michigan have cyst nematodes? He will be presenting the data.”

He also said there are different cyst nematode types out there, and some soybean varieties are resistant to some of them. “We hope to extract some useful data from this survey,” he said.

“Another disease that has caused us a problem for some time is white mold. We’ve had some challenges with this in the past.”

A third disease soybean growers are having to contend with is SDS. Reinholt said it’s similar to a mold.

“It infects the root and causes root challenges,” he said. “It’s only been here for five or six years. It’s getting worse.”

Reinholt expects to see some new management tools offered at the presentations. “They’re usually pretty well-attended,” he said. “They’re going to be good meetings.”

The meetings will be held at the following places and dates:
•Jan. 17 – Ubly Heights Country Club, 2409 E. Atwater Road, Ubly, Mich.; register with Bob Battel at 989-269-9949 or e-mail sowles@msu.edu

•Feb. 2 – Comfort Inn, 622 Allegan Highway, Plainwell, Mich.; register with Dan Rajzer at 269-445-4438 or e-mail rajzer@msu.edu

•Feb. 3 – Dearth Community Center, Branch County 4-H Fairgrounds, 262 Sprague Street, Coldwater, Mich.; register with Mike Metzger at 517-279-4311 or e-mail msue12@msu.edu