Soybeans planted in late June or early July could mature toward the end of October. First frost normally occurs around October 10th. I am finding more soybean cyst nematodes this year than in years past. Farmers are frequently mistaking nematode damage and wet spots. The tendancy is to assume that short, off-color beans are suffering from wet feet.
Many soybeans are.
However, careful examination of plant roots is revealing that soybean cyst nematodes are in fields where they have never been found before. If you are not sure how to identify soybean cyst nematodes by visual examination you can take advantage of the free nematode test by sending samples to the MSU nematode lab. Other common problems in soybean fields this week include phytopthora root rot and white mold. Both of the problems were forecast several weeks ago when rainfall persisted, even through the traditionally drier weeks of the summer. Corn foliar diseases are heavier than normal this year.