Scouting for insects is still important in a home vegetable garden

Posted on May 29, 2018 by rhallberg

By Becky Griffin, University of Georgia

Whether you work on a large family farm, in a home vegetable garden, or in a small, community garden vegetable plot, routinely scouting for insects should be an important part of your vegetable-growing plan.

Insect pests can be a costly problem in vegetables. The life cycles of some insect pests are so short that missing just one week of scouting can lead to an increase in pests and damaged crops. Continue reading →

Filed under: news | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Penn State University develops new tool for fruit growers

Posted on April 18, 2018 by rhallberg

In Growing Produce

Penn State University Extension reports that Pennsylvania growers will have a valuable tool this growing season. The Network for Environment and Weather Applications (NEWA) IPM Monitoring system, a Cornell University program, is now available for all Pennsylvania growers thanks to funding from State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania Extension Committee. Continue reading →

Filed under: news | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Efficient use of cover crops reduces pests and pesticides

Posted on September 6, 2017 by rhallberg

In Corn and Soybean Digest

When transitioning to cover crops, go for encouraging diversity while adopting practices that protect beneficials, but do it with a plan in place, says entomologist Jonathan Lundgren.

  • Monitor cover crops and production crops alike for pests and beneficials.
  • Don’t overreact. Seeing a pest in the field doesn’t mean you have to kill it! In fact that may be a bad business decision.
  • Don’t ignore pests found either. Evaluate for economic thresholds, treat with pest specific products if possible and time application for maximum effectiveness in the pest cycle.
  • Consider interseeding cover crops with production crops, adds Lundgren, offering the pest an alternative food crop and boosting beneficials.
  • Understand pest cycles. Delayed planting may allow overwintering pests to complete their life cycle before emerging plants are at risk.

Cover crops are great for soil health, nutrient sequestration and moisture management. They can also be great havens for insects, as growers who’ve recently adopted cover crops can attest. Continue reading →

Filed under: news | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Time to scout for peanut pests

Posted on August 4, 2017 by rhallberg

by Mark Abney, University of Georgia

Things have been relatively quiet in terms of insect pressure in most peanut fields so far in 2017, but that could change quickly.

I have been getting reports of heavy caterpillar pressure in some areas of Florida, and agents and consultants are reporting that a mixed bag of loopers, velvetbean and other caterpillars have shown up in Georgia over the last week. I strongly encourage growers to scout their peanuts and only make insecticide applications when caterpillars reach the economic threshold. Continue reading →

Filed under: news | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a comment »

Insect scouting tips for soybean growers

Posted on July 11, 2017 by rhallberg

In Southeast Farm Press

by Katie Nichols

For growers working to save soybean crops in the field, Alabama Cooperative Extension System entomologist Dr. Tim Reed has some insect scouting tips.

Cutworms
Cutworms are large, greasy worms that may be difficult to see. These insects burrow into the soil during the day and come to the surface to feed at night. These worms can hide underneath the residue between rows—especially in cover crop residues. Continue reading →

Filed under: news | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Target Spot in Cotton – How to identify it and management options

Posted on July 6, 2017 by rhallberg

by Heather Marie Kelly, Extension Plant Pathologist, University of Tennessee

As cotton gets closer to blooming, scouts should be on the lookout for target spot and defoliation starting in the lower canopy.

The warm, wet weather the Mid-South has been experiencing could promote target spot in cotton fields, especially those fields that saw the disease in 2016 and are irrigated. Additional factors that increase target spot risk include higher planting rates, excessive N rates, narrow row spacing, vigorous growth, as well as hot, humid weather. Some facts about target spot: Continue reading →

Filed under: news | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Scouting is critical in areas with a lot of rain

Posted on June 22, 2017 by rhallberg

In Delta Farm Press

by Olivia McClure

Recent wet weather has been conducive to disease problems in Louisiana rice, and frequent rains are hampering plants’ recovery from issues that normally are not considered serious.

Farmers heard the news at a field day held June 14 at the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station South Farm in Crowley. Continue reading →

Filed under: news | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a comment »

Next Page »