In Episode #73 of MN CropCast, hosts David Nicolai and Seth Naeve sit down with Dr. Laura Lindsey, Extension Soybean and Small Grains Specialist at The Ohio State University. Dr. Lindsey shares critical agronomic insights from her career—ranging from baseline Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) sampling to evaluating biological seed treatments and the yield impacts of harvest timing under extreme weather conditions. Plus, get an exclusive look into her flagship research and extension project, "Battle for the Belt," which pits corn and soybean planting dates head-to-head across Ohio field locations.

Catch Dr. Lindsey in person as a featured speaker at the upcoming Minnesota Crop Pest Management (CPM) Short Course in Minneapolis on December 9th!

Discussion Topics:

• Baseline Soil & SCN Survey: Early in her OSU career, Dr. Lindsey conducted a statewide survey collecting 299 soil samples across Ohio. The study revealed that 60%–80% of sampled fields contained Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN), even though most participating growers reported believing their fields were SCN-free.
• Evaluating Biologicals: She collaborated on multi-state research (via Science for Success) assessing biological seed treatments. The trial data indicated inconsistent and limited yield responses to biological seed treatments, underscoring the challenge of delivering live, viable organisms to the seed under field conditions.
• Harvest Timing & Weather Extremes: Research conducted during 2024–2025 highlighted severe yield losses due to weather-delayed harvests. In 2024, severe D4 drought conditions in Western Ohio were immediately followed by heavy rain and humidity from Hurricane Helene, leading to extensive pod shattering, seed decay, and field loss.
• Late-Season Seed Quality Issues: Wet, warm late-season conditions late in seed fill increase risks of fungal infections and diseases such as purple seed stain, emphasizing the need for timely harvest.

Project Highlight: “The Battle for the Belt"

• Research Concept: Addresses a common grower dilemma: when spring field-work windows are tight, which crop should take planting priority—corn or soybeans?
• Trial Design: Side-by-side planting date trials comparing corn and soybean yield decline over 5 distinct planting dates (ranging from late March through the third week of June) across 3 Ohio locations over 3 years.
• Key Takeaway: Highlights stark differences in how corn and soybeans physiologically react to identical early-season weather conditions.

Upcoming Opportunity

• Dr. Lindsey will present full yield results and management insights from the "Battle for the Belt" project at the Minnesota Crop Pest Management (CPM) Short Course on December 9th in Minneapolis (Conference runs December 8–10).