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 →

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 →