As with corn production, spring and fall weed surveys will help identify and assess troublesome weeds and improve information to tailor and time weed management programs. Research studies involving soybeans in 30 inch rows have had very favorable yields with banding of herbicides over the row and timely cultivation's, compared to conventional herbicide or cultivation only weed control programs. Seedcorn maggot is occasionally a problem under cool conditions on fields with high organic matter content, such as manured fields. Planter box applications with a commercial seed treatment containing an insecticide is recommended. Use of seed treatments combined with high plant populations and soybeans' remarkable ability to compensate for some stand reduction generally minimizes stand losses from this pest.
Japanese beetles are a more obvious visitor to soybean fields mid to late summer.
Adult beetles feed on soybean leaves causing a skeletonized and brown appearance. While this damage may be very conspicuous, damage is rarely economical. Treatment for pest damage below the percentages listed are not recommended. Two Spotted Spider Mites occasionally cause problems during hot dry years. Mites typically live in colonies producing a thin web on lower leaf surfaces.