We worried our way through the cool month of April, with 32 percent of corn and only 7 percent of soybean acres planted by April 29, and nothing emerged. During the first two weeks of May, the weather was warmer and drier than normal, and adding together corn and soybeans, Illinois farmers planted more than a million acres for each of the 10.3 “days suitable for fieldwork” between April 29 and May 13.
By May 13,…
With corn planting wrapping up throughout most of Illinois, the time has come to scout for cutworms. While several species of cutworms infest early season corn, black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon) is the most likely to cause economic damage. We have received a handful of reports of cutting in southern Illinois, with more expected in the coming weeks as heat units begin to accumulate. If you are not doing so already, follow Kelly Estes’s reports on the Bulletin and through Twitter (@ILPestSurvey) for up to date information on black cutworm moth flights and degree-day accumulations.…
Black cutworm
Black cutworm moth flights continue across much of Illinois. Several counties reported second -and even third- significant moth flights (Madison, Champaign, and Lee). Several counties had near significant flights (Piatt and Coles). It is important to remember that lack of a reported significant flight and subsequent projected cutting dates does not take black cutworm out of the equation in your area. I have had reported of 1st-2nd instar feeding and even a report of 3rd-4th instar cutting in a couple areas of the state.…
The following is posted on behalf of Dr. Nathan Kleczewski, Field Crops Pathologist for Growmark. This content is from the Field Crop Disease Hub webpage Dr. Kleczewski curated.
One of the hallmarks of the United States Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative was the development of the Fusarium Head Blight Prediction tool (or FHB Risk Tool). This tool represents over 15 years of research conducted by plant pathologists around the country. Several versions of the tool have been made available,…
With the recent rain blast and rain forecast in the next week, coupled with the wheat crop starting to move into flowering within the next 7-14 days, it is important to start thinking about Fusarium head blight risk. I recently wrote an expanded article on the use of the FHB prediction tool that can be found by clicking here.
Some early flowering varieties will likely flower by the weekend. Most varieties are near flag leaf and will require another 7 –…
This past week we spent a few days surveying wheat fields throughout the state in order to see how the crop is progressing as well as better understand what disease related issues we may be experiencing. Most of the crop was near flag leaf emergence (Feekes growth stage 8/9) with a few fields near boot in locations further south. The good news is that of the 26 fields we looked at, none had any stripe rust,…
The weed science program at the University of Illinois invites all weed management practitioners to our annual weed science field tour, which will be held on Wednesday, June 27 at the Crop Sciences Research and Education Center (a.k.a. South Farm), located south of campus on Wright Street extended. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. and refreshments (coffee, juice, and doughnuts) will be available. Preregistration is not required, but please let us know in advance if you will be bringing a large group of participants so we can plan accordingly for meals.…
The following is posted on behalf of Dr. Nathan Kleczewski, Field Crops Pathologist for Growmark. This content is from the Field Crop Disease Hub webpage Dr. Kleczewski curated.
Sudden death syndrome (SDS) is a disease of concern for soybean producers in Illinois and the surrounding region. The disease is caused by a soilborne fungus (Fusarium vilguliforme) that persists season to season in soybean residue and as resistant spores. Fields affected with SDS may have stand issues early in the season and develop interveinal chlorosis or necrosis (yellow or brown foliage with veins remaining green) after R3. …
Spring insect activity is off to a slow start, but is expected to pick up with the recent warming trend.
Piatt, Madison, Montgomery, and Sangamon counties all recorded significant moth flights this week. Projected potential cutting dates are identified in the map below. Remember, these dates are just estimates, scouting should occur before and after the potential cutting dates.
True armyworm numbers have been very low. Armyworm traps are just getting going, so reports for this week are broken down into a general area of the state.…
Soil temperatures and field activity are increasing along with moth migration from the south. Insect traps (figure 1) are out around the state and we’ve been capturing both true armyworm and black cutworm moths for over a week. In fact, we recently had our first significant black cutworm moth flights recorded in Montgomery and Champaign counties (figure 2). We expect activity to increase with both of these insects over the coming weeks. As both corn and soybean planting progress,…