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A Note from NCSPA Staff to NC Growers:
We know this is a difficult time for many in the ag community. 2020 was already a difficult year without the added stress of COVID-19. The NC Soybean Producers Association staff is staying up to date on different issues affecting NC growers and continuing to work from home. Please follow us on our social media pages and our website to get the most up to date information from the association. You all are in our thoughts while we take this on as a community. Stay safe and healthy!
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Does Early Planting Justify Seed Treatment?
With many soybean growers in N.C. exploring earlier planting dates and earlier maturity groups we often get the question, “Should I be using a seed treatment?”. So to help answer that question NCSPA funded research with Dr. Rachel Vann and the NC State Soybean Extension team.
Over the last few years, seed treatments have been evaluated by this program in numerous trials. In these trials, it was found that there was no impact of fungicidal seed treatments on yield, BUT these trials were generally planted from mid-May through early July with maturity groups V or VI. The goal of this research was to evaluate fungicidal seed treatments across earlier planting dates and maturity groups to provide growers with more robust recommendations reflecting current trends in soybean planting across the state. Continue here to see the full article on fungicidal seed treatments.
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Fungicidal Seed Treatment in Early Planted Soybeans
Listen in to Dr. Rachel Vann, NCSU Soybean Extension Specialist, as she talks about the value of foliar feeding soybeans at growth stage R3 and the 2019 research results from NC.
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Soybean Pre-plant Fertility Tips
Planting soybeans soon? Learn two pre-plant soil fertility tips for 2020 from Dr. Luke Gatiboni, NC State University’s new Extension Specialist in Soil Fertility.
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COVID-19 Causing H2-A Delay Concerns
Like many of NC growers, NCSPA Director Reggie Strickland grows more than just soybeans, corn and wheat on his farm in Mt. Olive, NC. While those are important staples, his operation also grows tobacco, sweet potatoes, cucumbers and pickles. Also like many NC growers, he is reliant on H2-A workers to help get these crops in. Successful Farming spoke with Strickland this past week on the additional challenges that COVID-19 has brought on when trying to get H2-A workers on the farm. Continue here to see the full article.
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CARES Act for Agriculture
With sweeping majorities in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) was passed in response to COVID-19 and the toll it has taken on the U.S. economy. President Trump signed the bill shortly after congressional passage, making it ready for implementation. With $2 Trillion worth of funding dedicated to offsetting the impact of the pandemic for families and companies, what does this mean for our farmers?
Continue here to find the full ag details entailed in the CARES Act.
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Essential Food & Agriculture Employee Form
COVID-19 has changed how much of the world operates. But one thing that has not changed is the considerable workload that farmers face this time of year. With encouragement from many national grower associations, including the American Soybean Association, the Department of Homeland Security declared agriculture as a “critical industry workforce that should continue without disruption as the country responds to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.” This means that farmers can continue with the task at hand – making sure that equipment is ready for the fields, checking in on greenhouses and preparing fields for planting. These steps were taken in order to insure that farmers can continue to deliver the U.S. with the safest and most affordable food in the world. However, as other states began going on a mandatory lock down and counties within North Carolina (Wake, Durham, Mecklenburg, Orange) followed suit, the worry became that growers would be impeded from being able to move around as necessary to perform their critical and necessary job. Continue to NCSPA's website to find out more details on the Essential Employees Form and to download.
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Marble "Future Me" Fair
Our partnership with Marbles Kids’ Museum began back in 2013, with an interactive play exhibit called “On the Farm.” Given the importance of livestock in soymeal demand the exhibit focuses on feeding and caring for farm animals. The “On the Farm” exhibit deepens children’s engagement in farming as they feed and care for production animals including pigs, cows and chickens. Before the mass spread shutdowns thanks to the coronvirus, NCSPA’s Laura Rogers went to “man” the exhibit in person, setting up a soybean booth, and answering questions about agriculture as part of the “Future Me” Career Fair. Continue here to see full description from the event and pictures!
Also, as a part new part of NCSPA's initiative to make resources available for those at home during shutdowns, we will be moving our outreach content to a digital format. Stay tuned to our website and social media pages to find out more!
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