Insects
As drought plagued the West and Plains in 2021, grasshoppers took over many pastures and crops, which demolished grasses and hayfields. In the South and Midwest, fall armyworms were a costly battle for farmers.
Last year showed how dry conditions create the perfect playground for a few yield-robbing pests. The conditions could be ripe again for drought-loving pests to emerge.
This pest can cost you 15% to 50% in yield loss.
The pest injures corn most often during the VE through V5 growth stages. Timing foliar insecticide applications is critical. They are only effective when the larvae migrate and are exposed to the pesticide.
Be on the lookout for this mother of clones.
Here’s one way to know whether you work with a reputable seed company. Along with that, it’s time to put out lures and traps for various pests, including wireworms, armyworms and voles.
Experts say you don’t need to worry about the bright yellow, blue, black and red Joro spider — it’s one of the few creatures that preys on a bug that attacks Southern crops.
The northern corn rootworm lays eggs that can sit in soils between two and five years before hatching. That complicates control measures.
Scientists expect corn hybrids containing the technology will help farmers regain the upper hand over a variety of above-ground and below-ground pests that current technology is struggling to contain.
Yield losses of 5 percent are par for the course in second-year soybeans. Pest problems can boost those losses to 50 percent or more.