6/5/98

Contacts:
Paulette Pierson, SCN Coalition, (515) 294-6285
Greg Tylka, ISU Plant Pathology, (515) 294-3021
Treva Blumenshine, Extension Communication Systems, (515) 294-1338

SOYBEAN GROWERS INVITED TO USE TOLL-FREE HOTLINE

AMES -- Soybean producers seeking free information about soybean cyst nematode (SCN) management and soil testing for SCN can call the SCN Coalition Information Hotline at its new toll-free number: 1-877-SCN-TEST (877-726-8378). Growers may ask for information on SCN management or request a soil test kit.

"Our purpose is to arm growers with the necessary information about SCN and to motivate them to conduct soil testing for this devastating pest," said Paulette Pierson, SCN regional education coordinator. "Since you can't tell how significantly SCN may be impacting a producer's bottom line by just looking at their crop, soil testing remains the best method of determining the presence and severity of SCN."

Using a combination of touch key and verbal commands and responses, growers will be asked to enter their specific information requests, address and mailing information. Within five business days, they should receive their requested material in the mail.

"We want every producer within the 10-state coalition geography to test for SCN by the year 2000," said Pierson. "We realize that's an ambitious goal, but it underscores how serious a problem SCN is within the region. We're now seeing it spread into areas especially in the North Central grain belt, which have never seen this pest."

She added, "Once growers know more about SCN, we hope they'll be motivated to take the next step of testing their soils. Soil testing is the first, and most important, step in the process of managing SCN."

The SCN Coalition originated from funding provided by the North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP), a 10-state alliance of state soybean checkoff boards that funds soybean research projects. The 10 NCSRP states, which also reflect the state soybean checkoff and university partner geographies, are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Industry partners include the following: The American Soybean Association, Asgrow Seed Company, Cargill Seeds, Cenex/Land O'Lakes, DEKALB Genetics, Growmark/Countrymark, Mycogen Seeds, Novartis Seeds, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. and the United Soybean Board.

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