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The Double-Crop Conference, hosted by the Illinois Wheat Association and the Illinois Soybean Association, was held on January 31st, 2019, in Mount Vernon, Illinois, and had close to one hundred producers and crop advisers in attendance. The seven speakers provided information on wheat and soybean marketing and production, with the goal of increasing profitability for both crops during the 2019 growing season. 

Dr. Todd Hubbs, Agricultural Economist at the University of Illinois, kicked off the meeting by providing producers with information about the market outlook for oilseeds. Dr. Gary Schnitkey, another Agricultural Economist at the University of Illinois, shared data demonstrating that double-cropping wheat and soybeans leads to greater producer profitability in Southern Illinois. 

Three presentations demonstrated the importance of managing pests and pathogens for producing wheat and soybeans profitably. Dr. Kaitlyn Bissonnette, Extension Plant Pathologist from the University of Missouri, encouraged producers to break the disease triangle when managing wheat for Fusarium head blight and stripe rust. She also reminded producers that even when wheat grains are not showing clear symptoms of Fusarium head blight, they can still contain mycotoxins. 

Dr. Jason Bond, Professor of Plant Pathology at Southern Illinois University, demonstrated that double-cropping wheat and soybeans can reduce the numbers of soybean cyst nematodes (SCN) in fields containing greater than 4600 SCN eggs. Dr. Nick Seiter, Extension Entomologist at the University of Illinois, provided best management practices for true armyworms and aphids vectoring barley yellow dwarf virus on wheat and grape colaspis and Dectes stem borer on soybeans.

The day wrapped up with presentations from Carl Schwinke, Vice President of Grain Supply at Siemer Milling, and John Pike with Pike Ag, LLC. Schwinke showed the importance of managing wheat for quality to ensure that producers receive the highest return on investment when marketing their grain for milling. Finally, John Pike demonstrated the differences in management practices between double-crop soybeans and full season soybeans.

The producers were encouraged to network with each other, the sponsors and vendors during the trade show and over lunch. CEU credits were available to any CCA’s in attendance. The conference adjourned to the Illinois Wheat Association Annual meeting.

The presentations from all the speakers can be viewed below:

Grain and Oilseed Outlook – Dr. Todd Hubbs, Agricultural Economist, University of Illinois
Profitability of Wheat, Soybeans and Double-Crop Soybeans in Southern Illinois – Dr. Gary Schnitkey, Agricultural Economist, University of Illinois
Protecting Your High Yielding Wheat – Dr. Kaitlyn Bissonnette, Extension Plant Pathologist, University of Missouri
Wheat Residue Suppression of Soybean cyst nematode – Dr. Jason Bond, Plant Pathologist, Southern Illinois University
Protect Your Wheat and Soybean Crops from  Insect Pests – Dr. Nick Seiter, Extension Entomologist, University of Illinois
Importance of Managing for Wheat Quality – Carl Schwinke, Vice President of Grain Supply, Siemer Milling Company
Managing Double Crop Soybeans – John Pike, Pike Ag, LL