I’ve spoken with several who planted a few fields last week. Soils have been a little cooler than we would prefer but it was hard to keep the planter at the shop with 60+ degree soil temperatures at 3” at 8 AM with warm temperatures in the forecast. Moisture is currently not hard to find in most areas given you caught some of the showers Continue reading
As we approach corn planting time, I’ve had several questions related to cutworm management and/or the use of in-furrow insecticides. I’ve written about this subject before (https://news.utcrops.com/2015/03/is-it-too-early-to-think-about-cutworms/).
Although cutworms are not a common problem on most acres, they can sneak up on you. The suggested treatment threshold for cutworms is when 5% or more of plants are damaged or 2 or more larvae are found per 100 plants. However, I often recommend a Continue reading
Although it appears acres of grain sorghum will drop substantially in Tennessee during 2016, those still planning on growing sorghum may find the information linked below helpful. This publication was developed by Sebe Brown and Dr. David Kerns (LSU AgCenter). It is a list of hybrids that have shown some resistance to infestations of sugarcane aphids. This list is not all inclusive, including only those hybrids that have been evaluated. Not all hybrids would be appropriate for our area, but it is a starting point. Please note that insecticides may still be needed to manage infestations. Continue reading
It’s the time of year. A late winter insecticide application for the control of aphids in wheat often results in a yield increase. I typically recommend an application before the end of the month. UT data suggests this reduces or delays barley yellow dwarf virus. A late winter insecticide application Continue reading
Meeting season is in full swing, and there are several educational opportunities fast approaching (see below). Pesticide re-certification points and CCA points will be available at all these meeting. Additional details will be provided soon! Continue reading
The 2016 Weed Control Manual for Tennessee (PB1580) and the 2016 Insect Control Recommendations for Field Crops (PB1768) are now available online. As always, hard copies will be made available at various county and state production meetings and at Extension county offices. But they are always a couple of clicks away at UTcrops.com.
A new, 12-minute video on the scouting of common insect pests in sorghum is now available at UTcrops.com, or you can directly link to the video below. Thanks to UT’s own Ginger Rowsey for her hard work putting this together.
In wheat, rates of insecticides labeled for seed treatment vary considerably. Gaucho 600, NipsIt Inside, and Cruiser are recommended at rates of about 0.8 – 1.3 oz of product per hundred weight of seed when used for the control of aphids (and better protection from the barley yellow dwarf virus they transmit). My experience is Continue reading