Photo courtesy of National Nematode Soybean Conference
From staff reports
Savannah, Georgia will play host to the National Soybean Nematode Conference, Dec. 14-16 at the DeSoto Hotel.
Industry scientists, crop advisers, students, farmers, growers and more are invited to come and learn about plans to manage the nematode in the future and use solutions to do so. It is also an opportunity to share information with fellow attendees. Each year, significant resources are put into re-watch in controlling the nematode, which has led to huge savings for soybean farmers. Research has included genetic resistance advancements, genomes used for reference, new seed treatments, and genetic modifications. The National Soybean Nematode Strategic Plan and the Soybean Cyst Nematode partnership have also developed unified communication to assist farmers with nematode control.
“This conference will serve as a milestone for the many farmers, scientists and media specialists who have dedicated their resources to one of the most impactful public-private partnership and awareness campaigns in U.S. agriculture,” says Sam Markell, plant pathologist at North Dakota State University Extension and a leader of The SCN Coalition. “We hope to build on those efforts to expand or facilitate new partnerships that ultimately result in improved management tools and strategies that put more money in growers’ pockets.”
The nematode is the number one virus that reduces soybean crop yields in the United States and drastically reduces yields due primarily to lesions caused by the nematode.
The three-day event features a wide range of activities, including:
- Two keynote presentations
- Informational sessions relating to the NSNSP goals
- Highlights from The SCN Coalition
- Speed posters and poster session
- Training and planning workshops
- Panel discussion and Q&A
- Media and exhibitor booths
- Young Professional Travel Awards
Participants can also look forward to several networking meals and a reception, as well as a dinner party. For more information about this important event, visit apsnet.org/NSNC.