All posts by Scott Stewart, West TN Research & Education Center

02 Aug 2017

Cotton – the call of the week is aphids (bollworms picking up)

02 Aug 2017
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I’m getting more reports of bollworm moths being observed in fields. Thus far, it appears that our bollworm flight is right on time and pretty typical in size. We will have a better sense of this by next week. Things can change quickly, and the next 14 days is a critical window for scouting and managing bollworm infestations in cotton. Please refer to a previous article about control options for bollworm in cotton … https://news.utcrops.com/2017/07/cotton-insect-update-and-thinking-ahead-about-bollworm/.

Despite heightened awareness about bollworms in Bt cotton, the most frequent call of the week has concerned aphids. Below are a few reminders about managing aphids and Continue reading →


01 Aug 2017

Thinking about cutout and terminating insecticide applications in cotton

01 Aug 2017
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The word ‘cutout’ is synonymous with NAWF5 and occurs when a field averages 5 or fewer nodes above the uppermost first-position white flower. Many fields have reached or past cutout in the past week. The white blooms present at cutout represent the last group of bolls that will Continue reading →


25 Jul 2017

Corn Earworm in Late Planted Soybean

25 Jul 2017
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As our moth flight picks up, we need to be very aware about corn earworms (bollworm) infestations in soybean. It can be very destructive. Infestations most often occur in late maturing fields. Moths are most attracted to beans during R1 – R3 (early flowering), and open canopies really turn them on. Typically, problems are worse in the Continue reading →


19 Jul 2017

Sugarcane Aphids in Sorghum

19 Jul 2017
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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.


15 Jul 2017

Soybean Scout School Reminders (Monday and Friday)

15 Jul 2017
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Haywood County – Monday morning, July 17, 9:00 AM (Robert Thornton Farm, GPS: 35.469042, -89.397213). Location is field side on US-70/US-79/TN-1/1st St E approximately 1/4 mile north of Stanton, TN Link to Flyer

Henry County – Friday, July 21, 9:30 AM (Norwood Farms, 645 Norwood Road, Mansfield, TN) Link to Flyer


12 Jul 2017

Plant bugs increasing in cotton

12 Jul 2017
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There have been no reports of stink bugs in cotton and populations in soybean remain unusually low. There have been some reports of spider mites and aphids in some cotton fields, but it is an increase in plant bugs numbers that is the most obvious change this week. Infestation levels are variable, but a higher numbers of adults and a few nymphs are present in many fields. This includes both tarnished plant bug and clouded plant bug in some areas. Below are a few reminders and suggestions for the coming 2-3 weeks. Continue reading →