Well maybe plant bugs are not literally “exploding”, but there have been several calls about populations ranging from 10 – 25 immatures per drop cloth. High numbers of green stink bugs are also being seen in more localized areas. Below are some things you need to know when battling heavy infestations of tarnished plant bugs. Continue reading
Prices and comments are through Thursday, July 19, 2012. Corn, soybean, and wheat prices are an up while cotton is slightly down for the week through Thursday. Prices today reached record levels in corn and soybeans. The September U.S. Dollar Index closed at 82.98, down 0.49 for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 12,943, up 166 points since last Friday. Crude Oil closed at 92.66 a barrel, up 5.56 a barrel for the week. It should be noted that the September 2013 corn, November 2013 soybeans, and July 2013 wheat are all down for the week. Continue reading
I’ve had the first report of a soybean field in Tennessee being treated for kudzu bug. The field is located in East Tennessee (Polk County). Continue reading
Reports of Southern rust in corn have come in this week. Southern rust in large amounts coming into corn prior to dent can have an effect on yield. It typically shows up very late in our growing season, making a late fungicide spray generally unnecessary. Continue reading
When the stars align, fall armyworm larvae can completely defoliate soybean (pictured below). The common scenario … larvae infest grassy weeds in late planted or double cropped fields and then move onto the soybean plants, especially if Round-Up Continue reading
Fruit Loss
Last week’s rain was a blessing for our cotton crop but it also set the crop up for fruit loss. In trials to investigate the effects of planting date cotton that was not near cutout exhibited less fruit loss than cotton that was at cutout or beyond.
A West Tennessee Extension Agent reported treatable levels of fall armyworms showing up in some pastures. Pastures greening up after the prolonged drought will be attractive to moths, and it is about that time of year anyhow. Bermudagrass is especially attractive to Continue reading
Another “featured insect” article. The critter pictured right is one of the several kinds of assassin bugs found in field crops (family Reduviidae). Assassin bugs are excellent predators of many insect pests, but this guy didn’t get the memo and is eating an adult lady beetle (another beneficial insect).