Insects
The pest is showing up in early-season soybeans. Current numbers don’t necessarily warrant treatment. Because the pests can double in population in only a few days, scouting is the only way to stay on top of them.
Bayer Crop Science has unveiled a novel approach to the discovery and development of crop protection solutions, called CropKey. Company officials say it is helping them bring new products to the marketplace faster.
Several factors converge making corn rootworm, black cutworm and true armyworm a high concern this season.
From lubricating booms to cleaning and replacing spray tips, ace mechanic Dan Anderson emphasizes the importance of prioritizing upkeep during the spraying season.
Similarly, Ken Ferrie says to time your post-herbicide application in corn based on weed size and to address cutworm based on the level of damage you find. One pass in the field could work for both, but don’t bet on it.
Agronomists are reporting high numbers of black cutworm and true armyworm moths in pheromone traps. Their offspring, the larvae, can do serious harm to corn. So can the offspring of four other common moth species.
Farmers in some states can expect BCW damage in corn by mid-May. One larva can ruin five corn plants in a 24-hour period. Rescue treatments are most effective and economical -- not seed treatments or Bt hybrids.
True armyworm (not to be confused with fall armyworm) is moving into Midwest wheat and corn crops now. Many are newcomers from the South, but homegrown populations are also concerning in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.
Farmers in Iowa and parts of Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin and South Dakota are in the “red zone” for CRW pressure this season.
The first-of-its-kind biotech trait is commercially available to farmers as Bollgard 3 ThryvOn cotton with XtendFlex Technology – just in time for the 2023 production season.