Soybeans are a major crop in Kentucky In both 2008 and 2010 soybeans were listed as the fifth top agricultural commodity in the state and in 2009 and 2010 soybeans ranked second in top 5 agricultural exports from the state.  In 2009 and 2010, Kentucky was ranked fifteenth in the nation for soybean and soybean product exports (statistics: http://www.ers.usda.gov).  Nearly 1.3 million acres were grown in 2012, a year in which soybean ranked second in Kentucky’s crop receipts (National Agricultural Statistics Service).  In 2013, soybean production in Kentucky was approximately 81.2 million bushels which reflects a 38% increase from 2012.  2014 saw a record-breaking 84 million bushels of soybeans produced from 1.75 million acres.  In 2016, soybean yield was a record high and production was at a record high for the fourth year in a row (2012, 2014, and 2016 statistics: www.kyagr.com).  The importance of the soybean industry in Kentucky highlights the need for a survey focused on pests in this system. 

We will trap 10 soybean fields in western and central Kentucky.  We will have a trapping program designed to target five moth pests:  Old World Bollworm, Silver-Y Moth, Bud Borer, Golden Twinspot Moth, and Cotton Cutworm.  The traps will be in the soybean fields from May to September.  We will also conduct a survey for an invasive weed: Yellow Witchweed.