Soybean producers study bugs, rising costs
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com

L-N Photo by Brenda Sommer What's Bugging Him M.O. "Mo" Way, associate professor and Texas Cooperative Extension entomologist from the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station in Beaumont updates soybean producers on stink bugs during the 2008 Soybean Production Conference, held Tuesday at the El Campo Civic Center. Some 100 producers attended the free event.

A crowd of about 100 showed up for educational and other events at the 2008 Soybean Production Conference, held Tuesday at the El Campo Civic Center.

Texas Soybean Association's held a business session in conjunction with the free, one-day conference, sponsored by the Texas Cooperative Extension Service.

"It's a wonderful crowd, with a lot of enthusiasm for soybeans," said Peter McGuill, Wharton County agricultural Extension Agent. "The increase in commodity prices sure has helped with that."

McGuill referred to rising prices for all sorts of grains and other crops, mostly the result of increased ethanol production.

As farmers dedicate more acreage to corn, milo and other crops used to create that biofuel, there are fewer acres producing soybeans, meaning higher prices for that crop, he said.

"It's a supply and demand issue," he added.

Rick Ostlie of Northwood, N. Dak,. and chairman of the American Soybean Association presented an update on that group and the Farm Bill.

Lunch was provided by the Texas Soybean Board and agricultural business sponsors who showcased the latest in crop protection, equipment and seed.

Speakers and topics included: Dr. Jim Heitholt, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Dallas, Variety Evaluation Projects in Texas; James Grichar, research scientist, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Beeville, Texas Gulf Coast Soybean Planting Date Study; Stephen Biles, Extension agent - IPM, Soybean Integrated Pest Management; M.O. Way, associate professor and Texas Cooperative Extension entomologist, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Beaumont, Insect Management in Texas Soybeans; Tom Isakeit, plant pathologist, Texas Cooperative Extension, Soybean Disease Update; and Larry Falconer, economist, Texas Cooperative Extension, Soybean Market Update.