The University of Wisconsin-Madison Agronomy Department and UW-Extension, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board, offers free soybean cyst nematode (SCN) soil testing for Wisconsin growers.

This program allows growers to sample several of their fields in order to identify if SCN is present and at what levels.

To participate in the test, growers should collect soil from fields suspected to have SCN and send the sample to the SCN testing laboratory for analysis. They will receive a lab report back with the SCN egg count and a brochure to help plan future rotations and other cultural practices to lower SCN infestation if they are present.

A limited number of free test kits are available on a first come – first served basis at up to four per farm. Crop consultants, advisors, and crop input retailers are encouraged to request kits for their client’s farms. Each kit has a bag and a prepaid mailer for one soil sample which should represent about 10 to 15 acres. Postage and lab fees are prepaid. Anytime during the growing season or right after harvest are great times to collect soil samples for SCN identification.

Soil sample test kits can be requested from Colleen Smith or by calling 608-262-7702.

For more information on SCN testing and management practices to help reduce the losses from this pest, please contact John Gaska, UW-Madison Department of Agronomy, by phone at 608-444-4924 or email.