Cutworms are a very sporadic but potentially damaging pest in seedling corn. The black cutworm is the most common culprit, but other species may also occur. Cutworms tend to be more problematic in reduced-till situations. However, they can also occur in conventionally tilled fields. Tillage will destroy weedy hosts and directly kill cutworms, but that is only a good bet on fields that are well tilled during the spring, prior to planting. Continue reading
A couple of new potential crop pests are knocking on Tennessee doorsteps. In fact, one has already been found in eastern and middle Tennessee, and the other was likely present last year (also in parts of eastern Tennessee). The brown marmorated stink bug has already been found in several counties around the Knoxville area, and there have also been confirmed reports from middle Tennessee. The “kudzu bug”, often referred to as the globular stink bug or bean plataspid has been found in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and parts of Alabama bordering Tennessee. Both of these critters are invading gifts from Asia. Both also have the habit of overwintering in and around buildings (eves, etc.) and are a nuisance to home and business owners. We will need to watch closely to see how and how far these pests will spread across Tennessee. Continue reading
I’ve often get questions about winter effects on insect pests. A harsh winter can greatly affect population levels of some insects during the next cropping season. Cold weather can have major impacts on some insect pests. Having a more temperate environment is why Midwestern states typically do not have as many insect pests in their crops. Classic examples are Continue reading
Cotton Focus and Precision Ag Conference Presentations have been posted at UTCrops.com under Presentations or can be accessed by the following link. http://www.utextension.utk.edu/fieldCrops/presentations.htm
Several new insecticides should be commercially available for this year’s cropping season. This seems like a good time to review these products and how they might best be used. As always, market prices will affect how much these products will be used compared with competitive treatments.
Many of you have heard about the budget reductions that were passed by the House of Representatives last week. The Smith-Lever cuts, if approved by the Senate Continue reading
Confused About Seed Treatments? Who can blame you? There are many options that differ by crop and seed companies, and there are options for “downstream” treatments (but not for everything). Furthermore, Continue reading
Now might be a good time to consider making an insecticide application for aphid control in wheat, and this can be done piggy back with herbicide or fertilizer applications. Dimethoate 4E (8-12 oz/acre) and one of several pyrethroid insecticides are good options (UT Insecticide Recommendation for Wheat). Continue reading