The 2015 version of PB1768, Insect Control Recommendations for Field Crops, is now available online at UTcrops.com. Hard copies will soon be available and distributed at UT county and crop production workshops.
The following is an updated version of an older article … The next 4-5 weeks is the time to consider making a foliar application for aphids in wheat. I’ve discussed the potential value of managing aphids to prevent the spread of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) in a previous article. A late-winter, foliar insecticide application, at least on wheat not having an insecticide seed treatment, has shown a consistent yield benefit in my testing over the last five years (figure below). Continue reading
Mark your calendars for the TAPA Winter Agronomic Workshop (Wednesday, February 11) and Cotton Focus (Thursday, February 12). Both meetings will be held at the Doubletree Hotel in Jackson, Tennessee. Continue reading
Insecticide seed treatments are not universally recommended in wheat, but they are often suggested for early planted wheat. Indeed, recent data suggests that a foliar insecticide application late in the fall or during the winter can often accomplish the same objective, sometime even better, of preventing early transmission of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) by aphids. Continue reading
There has been a recent furor about the value of neonicotinoid insecticides such as Cruiser and Gaucho in soybean. This stems from a recent “benefits assessment” released by the EPA (http://www2.epa.gov/pollinator-protection/benefits-neonicotinoid-seed-treatments-soybean-production). This is the first step towards the banning of neonicotinoid seed treatments in soybean, mostly stemming from concerns about how these treatments affect pollinators. My response below in rather lengthy, but I wanted to get on the public record. Continue reading
One of our County Agents, Walter Battle, had the good idea of asking me to post this information.
Producers as the 2014 harvest continues, be mindful that on October 21st, Tennessee Department of Agriculture Private Applicator Certifications will expire. With that in mind, many University of Tennessee Extension offices are providing re-certification trainings. Call or check with your Continue reading
I’m not sure what a bug thinks, but I don’t think they are deep thinkers. We have that in common, but at least I know we’ve pretty much wrapped up this season in terms of insect control. Below are the last few reminders as we close out this year’s crop. Continue reading
Cotton: Making insecticide applications for cotton insects at this late date is not recommended, and most folks have rightly “walked away” from fields and turned their attention to corn and soybean harvest. It is now 25 or more days past the last effective bloom Continue reading