What Bugs are in the Ditches? Wild Host Survey 5/23/2012
Plant bugs are still the predominant pest we are finding on wild hosts at this time. Click on to Enlarge
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Insects
Insect Trap Counts, May 23, 2012
Pheromone trap counts for bollworm and tobacco budworm for the week are much lower than last week or than last year at this time, particularly in the Delta. Therefore, corn that is now silking may not have as much corn earworm
What Bugs Are In The Ditches? Wild Host Survey 5/17/2012
From time to time we send crews out to survey insect pest populations in ditchbanks adjacent to agricultural fields. This gives us an idea of what to expect later in the season based on what and how many pests we
Early Season Caterpillar Complex Requiring Treatments in Some MS Soybeans
Over the last couple of weeks I have had numerous calls about caterpillar pest in young soybeans. Most of these have been concerning beans that are still in the vegetative stages (V2-V5). The species that are being found are bollworm, yellowstriped armyworm, green
2012 Insect Scout School Dates Set
The insect scout schools for 2012 have been set. At each scout school we will go over biology, thresholds, and scouting techniques for each of the major pests of cotton, soybean, and corn. This is a great refresher for the
Thrips Pressure Heavy in MS Cotton
In most years it is not uncommon to overspray 20-30% of the cotton acres for thrips in MS. Last year (2011) was an anomaly in that we treated around 70% of the cotton acres for thrips due to extremely high pressure. It appears that this year is shaping up the same way. This week we have had numerous calls on young cotton with very high numbers of thrips. There have also been reports of Western flower thrips on cotton.
Insect Trap Counts for May 9, 2012
Pheromone traps are up and running for 2012. I will be posting county average trap counts here weekly from the Delta, the Northeastern Hills and the Central MS region for bollworm, tobacco budworm and beet armyworm. Most counties have 2 traps
Thrips in Peanuts and Their Impact on Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV)
There have been a lot of questions recently about thrips control in peanuts. In general, thrips will not hurt peanut yields except in EXTREME situations. Peanut seedlings are relatively vigorous compared to most of the crops grown in Mississippi. Foliar insecticide applications, though rarely needed, should be based on plant injury rather than thrips numbers.
Southwestern Corn Borers Showing up Early in Non-Bt Corn
Yesterday (4/30), I had a call from a consultant who found about 20% infestation of 3-4 day old SWCB in Non-Bt, V6 stage corn in the Minter City area. There were places in the field that averaged 40-50% infestation, but overall was about 20%.
Rice Season Races Along With Some Hurdles to Jump
Rice Acreage: On March 30th USDA estimated that Mississippi will plant 135,000 acres of rice. That is down 16% from 2011 and the lowest acreage since the mid 1970’s. Talking with producers and seed retailers, I would estimate that Mississippi acres will be closer 100,000 acres. There are a lot of farmers across the delta that will not be planting any rice and it has been over 40 years since they have done that. Stagnant rice prices and high urea prices have not encouraged any additional plantings. The recent upswing in urea prices will not have a significant impact on rice acres.
True Armyworms Showing Up In MS Wheat Ahead of Schedule
In the last couple of days there have been calls coming in about armyworms in wheat. It is not unusual for us to get armyworms in wheat in MS but this at least 2-3 weeks ahead of schedule compared to years past.
Time to Start Thinking About Plant Bugs
The time until cotton starts to square is still a few months away, but it is not too early to start thinking about managing plant bugs in cotton. With the mild winter, plant bug population densities appear to be a little higher on wild hosts than they have the past couple of years.
The Corn Refuge Conundrum for the South
Word on the street is there will be many more corn refuge checks in 2012 in cotton growing regions. This is due to decreasing compliance over the last couple of years. However, it is getting so complicated that one grower
2011 Rice Research Report
This is a brief review of the many agronomy, breeding, pest management, soil fertility, and water conservation research projects funded by the Mississippi Rice Promotion Board.
2011 MSU Row Crop Short Course Video Links
The 2011 Mississippi State University Row Crop Short Course was held from December 5 – 7, 2011. Topics covered during the Row Crop Short Course included insect and weed management, fertility management, agronomic aspects of crop production, and a farm
Seed Treatment Options for Cotton, Soybeans, and Corn
The numerous options for seed treatments can sometimes be confusing. They also change depending on what company you are buying from. Generally, they all perform well for what pests they are targeting but there are differences that you need to be aware of. Below is a link to an article Scott Stewart, The University of Tennessee, posted that breaks down most of the options very clearly.
Delta Ag Expo Set For January 17-18 In Cleveland, Mississippi
You are invited to the 2012 Delta Ag Expo. The Delta Ag Expo provides farmers and others interested in agriculture an opportunity to see the latest technology in agricultural products, services, and information. You will have the opportunity to view agricultural exhibits and talk with extension and research personnel and get up-to-date information for planning your crop year.
2011 Rice Short Course Presentations and Preliminary Rice Variety Trial Booklet
I would like to thank everyone for attending the Rice Short Course. At much request, I have included copies of the presentations made at this short course. Also, I have attached a preliminary copy of the Rice Variety Trial Booklet.
2011 Row Crop Short Course
On behalf of the Mississippi State University Extension Service we would like to cordially invite you to attend the 2011 Row Crop Short Course to be held at the Bost Extension Center on the campus of Mississippi State University from
Insect Trap Counts, Sept. 1, 2011
Bollworm traps continue to catch substantial moths. Tobacco budworm counts were steady in the Northeastern and Central regions, but dropped in the Delta after a large spike last week. I have not been reporting fall armyworm counts this year, but
Insect Trap Counts, August 24, 2011
The bollworm flight continues at a moderate to high level throughout the state. Tobacco budworm catches are sharply higher this week in the Delta, but not in the other regions. A similar spike in budworm catches occurred in late August during
Insect Trap Counts, August 18, 2011
Bollworm trap counts continue to be moderate to high in traps across the state. Tobacco budworm counts building slightly and high beet armyworm counts remain in the central region of the state. Delta trap data not available at the time
Soybean Loopers Here and Bollworms that Just Won’t Quit in Soybeans and Grain Sorghum
We are going on week 6 of a very high and sustained flight of bollworms in cotton, soybeans, and grain sorghum. The same control problems with pyrethroids we have had in soybeans have spilled over to grain sorghum and some
Insect Trap Counts, August 3, 2011
Bollworm counts were higher and tobacco budworm counts were lower this week in all regions. Southwestern corn borer counts were not compiled this week, but were generally much higher this week. Most corn is matured enough that little damage will occur
