Category Archives: Sorghum

Bollworm moth flight kick off

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The bollworm moth flight is kicking off now in some areas. Of course this has implications for managing bollworm in cotton, soybean, and grain sorghum. Hot spots this week included traps located near Whiteville, Goldust, south Jackson, and Ridgley. Please keep in mind that local populations may vary considerably. You can check out this week catches at the link below. I’ve had another report of 100+ west of Covington in the Hatchie Bottoms in 3 nights.

http://www.utcrops.com/BlogStuff/2017MothTrappingData.pdf

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Sugarcane Aphids in Sorghum

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Just a quick update … sugarcane aphids are now present statewide at some level, and there are some fields where treatment of grain, forage or sweet sorghum is needed. As for insecticide options, only Sivanto prime is labeled for use.  The label in grain and sweet sorghum allows application at rates up to 10.5 oz/acre, however, I suggest a rate of 4 oz/acre.  I’ve had excellent success with this rate.

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Moth traps and southwestern corn borers

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As always, moth trapping data for the season can be found on the quick links menu (http://www.utcrops.com/BlogStuff/2017MothTrappingData.pdf). We are now catching a few more corn earworm (bollworm) moths, but nothing too startling. However, it is clear that the second generation moth flight for southwestern corn borer is underway, and we will catch even more moths next week. Keep in mind that there is a lot of variation among locations. It can be a waste of money to treat for southwestern corn borers based on trap catches that are not near your fields. You should be running a few Continue reading

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Section 18 (Emergency Exemption) Label for Sivanto Prime in Sweet Sorghum

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The EPA has granted our request for an emergency exemption, allowing the use of Sivanto prime in sweet sorghum for the control of sugarcane aphids.  The section 18 label allows for use up to 10.5 oz/acre in a single application. However, testing in grain sorghum indicates 4-5 oz/acre provides excellent control. Application restrictions are Continue reading

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Fall Armyworms Look to Make and Early Start (again)

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It seems that fall armyworms have gotten a running start in recent years. This species does not overwinter in Tennessee, but it may survive warm winters in the extreme southern areas of coastal states during mild winters. It migrates into Tennessee each year. Often, fall armyworms don’t show in substantial numbers until late July or August. However, they are being found Continue reading

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Moth Trapping Data

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This is a reminder that moth trapping data for corn earworm (bollworm), tobacco budworm, and southwestern corn borer will be posted weekly during the summer. You can open the Excel file under the Quick Link menu on the left or directly at this link – http://www.utcrops.com/BlogStuff/2017MothTrappingData.xls. A few southwestern corn borers were caught this week, indicating the first generation is starting, perhaps just a little earlier than usual. Generally low numbers of corn earworm and tobacco budworm moths were also caught last week.

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Pest Management and Cover Crops

There is growing discussion and interest in the use of cover crops, mostly commonly in soybean but also in corn and cotton. Some of the benefits seem pretty intuitive and include improved control of erosion and the buildup of organic matter. Another obvious benefit is NRCS programs which pay growers to plant specified cover crops. Dr. Larry Steckel and his students have also shown benefits of cover crops in reducing the emergence of Palmer pigweed and some other weeds. However, having said all that, there are some concerns and unknowns about how cover crops might affect populations of soil and seedling pests. Continue reading

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Sugarcane Aphid Tolerant Sorghum Hybrids

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Although it appears grain sorghum acres will be quite low in Tennessee during 2017, a list of sorghum hybrids with tolerance to sugarcane aphid have been developed. You can access this list on the United Sorghum Checkoff Program website at the link below.
http://www.sorghumcheckoff.com/farmer-resources/grain-production/hybrid-selection Continue reading

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