When it comes to buying corn seed, avoid investing in GMO insect protection you don't need. This guide looks at available traits and which proteins are effective on which pest species to help growers select the product best suited to their fields.
Nebraska and Brazilian entomology researchers have joined to study current and expected corn insect pests and how management strategies can be changed to address population shifts.
Soybean aphids are at low numbers in northeast, but these populations could quickly explode when temperatures drop. Farmers are encouraged to scout their fields and be prepared to treat if numbers reach the threshold.
The current economic threshold for soybean aphids is 250 aphids per plant with 80% of the plant infested and populations increasing. The article discusses the basis for this threshold and two scouting methods, including a speed scouting app, and management guidelines.
In a new article in the Journal of Integrated Pest management the authors review the biology, ecology, and management of several species of stink bugs common to the Midwest, including the green stink bug, brown marmorated stink bug, redshouldered stink bug, brown stink bug, and onespotted stink bug, all of which are found in Nebraska. Photos and drawings would aid in identification in the field.
Alfalfa weevils have been reported damaging alfalfa in north central Kansas and western Nebraska. As temperatures warm up, expect to see alfalfa weevil larvae in southern Nebraska and slightly later, in northern Nebraska. Even with the pressure of planting row crops, it is essential that producers growing high quality alfalfa hay make time to monitor fields for weevils now and over the next few weeks. See the article for a table of treatment thresholds for various alfalfa prices.
Farmers are increasing their soybean plantings for 2017, which likely means some are shifting to soybeans-after-soybeans. This article looks at what you should be considering at planting time as you consider changing your cropping sequence.
Management in a successful soybean-after-soybean cropping system may require growers to make some slight adjustments in their practices, including irrigation, seed selection, and pest management.
In Part 1 of this article, we look at considerations for planting soybean after soybean. In this article, Part 2, we share considerations for in-season management.
