Waukesha, Wis. (October 11, 2022) – Parasitic nematodes cost U.S. soybean farmers more than $1.5 billion in losses each year because nematodes are evolving, rendering some of the main tools for fighting them less effective. The National Soybean Nematode Conference (NSNC) slated for December brings together a diverse audience to examine this challenge, discuss new tools needed, share advances to date, forge partnerships and develop the next five-year strategic plan for maximizing farmer profitability in the face of increasing nematode threats.

Major players in the soybean arena – academia and industry scientists, students, crop advisers, farmers, grower organizations, crop protection specialists and more – will unite for NSNC: Advancing Nematode Management for the Future, hosted by The SCN Coalition and the American Phytopathological Society. The watershed event takes place Dec. 14-16 in Georgia’s enchanting city of Savannah, providing an opportunity for stakeholders to share their diverse perspectives for a well-rounded strategy to defeat parasitic nematodes.

Networking opportunities abound at this formative event

“Attendees have a chance to shape the strategic direction, share their most pressing challenges and forge the connections needed to address them at this conference,” says Melissa Mitchum, professor of plant nematology at the University of Georgia’s Department of Plant Pathology and Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics, who’s chairing the event. “We’re bringing together research, technology and practical application to drive agricultural advancements toward a more prescriptive approach for nematode management.”

Mitchum adds the event holds value for anyone connected to the soybean industry:

• Crop consultants and farmers will learn about the latest advances in conventional and transgenic resistance, nematode diagnostics and seed treatments.
• Certified Crop Advisers can earn continuing education credit.
• Farmers will share their challenges with those working to put their checkoff dollars to work, providing a practical feedback loop.
• Scientists will discuss their latest research findings and brainstorm with colleagues old and new.
• Industry representatives and funding decision makers will engage in discussions that expand their understanding of nematodes, helping to shape and realign corporate strategy to outpace competitors in the fight against nematodes.
• Students will have the opportunity to share research with leading scientists and build their professional network.
• Ag media will appreciate the insider’s look that experts provide, plus the opportunities for one-on-one interviews.

A fast-paced event featuring the best and brightest

Experts will cover topics ranging from the economic impact of soybean nematodes to nematode genetics and resistance, to advances in nematode management.

Attendees will hear from speakers like:

• Bruno Basso, John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Michigan State University, on “Digital Agriculture to Design Sustainable and Resilient Agricultural Systems.”
• Sam Markell, professor and extension plant pathologist at North Dakota State University, on “The SCN Coalition: Advancing Nematode Management with a Public-Private Partnership.”
• Julia Daum, nematologist and senior program leader in trait research at BASF Corp, on “A Transgenic Approach for the Enhancement of Nematode Resistance in Soybeans.”
• Tom Eickhoff, chief science officer, climate LLC and digital farming at Bayer Crop Science, on “Digital Tools for Prescriptive Agriculture.”
• Greg Tylka, Morrill professor, department of plant pathology and microbiology at ​Iowa State University, on “Challenges in Advancing Soybean Nematode Management: Opportunities to Grow.”

Travis Faske, professor and extension plant pathologist at the University of Arkansas System, Division of Agriculture, will speak on the management challenges of the southern root-knot nematode. “Similar to SCN, southern soybean nematodes are not a stagnant problem,” he says. “This conference is a great opportunity to discuss nematode management strategies and potential research projects.”

Discussion panels led by ag media will delve into hot-button topics impacting the future of nematode management, such as:

• The future of molecular-based nematode diagnostics for prescriptive management.
• The future of the diversity, certification, labeling and deployment of genetic resistance.
• Envisioning the next 10 years of soybean nematode management.

The conference also includes traditional and speed poster sessions to keep things lively. For the full agenda and to register, visit apsnet.org/NSNC.

About The SCN Coalition

The SCN Coalition is a public/checkoff/private partnership formed to increase the number of farmers who are actively managing SCN. Our goal is to increase soybean farmers’ profit potential and realize higher yields. Partners in The SCN Coalition include university scientists from 28 states and Ontario, grower checkoff organizations, including the North Central Soybean Research Program, United Soybean Board and several state soybean promotion boards, and corporate partners including BASF, Bayer, Growmark, Nufarm, Pioneer (Corteva), Syngenta, UPL Ltd., Valent and Winfield United.