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

Spraying Insects in Wheat Just Because

I’ve had a number of questions about including insecticide with fungicide applications.  In almost all cases, there are not significant insect infestations in the field.  It is purely a convenience application.  In fact, most reports are of light aphid and cereal leaf beetle infestations, and little or no armyworm activity.  Some have used the logic that insect populations are ahead of schedule, but so is the wheat.  At this time of year, insecticides should be applied as needed based on Continue reading


Sugarcane Beetles in Corn; Cereal Leaf Beetle in Wheat

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My counterpart, Dominic Reisig, in North Carolina wrote a couple of good articles that are worth a look (linked below).  Sugarcane beetles, like just about everything else, are out early this year.  Ed Burns, Extension Agent in Franklin County, reported “about a hundred beetles” at his shop lights last week.  I typically start getting calls about this pest beginning in early May, but count on potential problems to start earlier this year.
Sugarcane beetles are active (Dominic Reisig, NCSU)
Cereal leaf beetle update (Dominic Reisig, NCSU)

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Bt Corn Refuge Requirements Revisited

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My colleague, Angus Catchot at Mississippi State University wrote a good news article addressing Bt corn refuge requirements.  Keep in mind that his comments are for Mississippi, and things change for non-cotton growing areas of Tennessee … those not officially designated as “cotton counties” (see below).

You can read Dr. Catchot’s comments on his blog site at http://www.mississippi-crops.com/2012/03/01/the-corn-refuge-conundrum-for-the-south/. Continue reading


Changes in USDA NRCS Conservation Programs

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The following information was provided by Wade Moder (IPM Institute of North America).

For FY 2012, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has made significant changes to conservation programs to streamline procedures, reduce costs and improve consistency.  These changes will impact grower support from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), including for IPM.  The following Continue reading