Recent trap monitoring has confirmed that western bean cutworm, a destructive insect that can cause severe yield loss in cornfields, has moved further eastward and has continued to spread into northern areas of Indiana.

Rainy weather and cooler-than-normal summer temperatures have resulted in a white mold outbreak in soybeans throughout parts of the Midwest. For Ohio growers, this is the first major outbreak of white mold in the state in nearly a decade.

Drinking water containing a common no-till herbicide could pose a greater public health risk than previously thought because regular municipal monitoring doesn't detect frequent spikes in the chemical's levels, according to a report released Monday by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

The spring rush of planting is catching up to the soybean crop in some fields, says University of Kentucky grain crops specialist.

Grower acceptance of genetically engineered (GE) corn, soybean and cotton has certainly been dramatic since the introduction of this technology 13 years ago. Many growers have used these herbicide and insect traits to boost yields while reducing production costs with more environmentally friendly farming practices.

Heavy rains and overflowing creeks have caused some fields, particularly those in low-lying areas, to flood. In other fields, water may pond for a period after the rains, and then soak in, leaving producers to ask: How long can plants be underwater before they die?

The risk for soybean rust on Ohio's soybean crop and Eastern Corn Belt states is low and, once again, the crop may escape the disease.