The Bulletin Archives - Page 73 of 78

Soybean Aphid Update: Insecticidal Seed Treatments and Resistant Varieties

June 25, 2013
Michael Gray

In mid-June, Chris DiFonzo, Extension Entomologist at Michigan State University, reported that a soybean field (Saginaw Farm) was infested with soybean aphids (~44% of plants infested). Chris indicated that none of the plants had received an insecticidal seed treatment. Reports from other entomologists (Iowa and Minnesota) indicate that soybean aphids are being found at more modest levels. At this point, it remains unclear what soybean aphid infestations will look like for much of the Corn Belt.…

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Reminder…University of Illinois Weed Science Field Research Tour

June 19, 2013
Aaron Hager

We would like to take this opportunity to once again extend the invitation to attend the 2013 University of Illinois Weed Science Field Day, to be held Wednesday, June 26th at the University of Illinois Crop Sciences Research and Education Center, located immediately south of the main campus. Coffee and refreshments will be available under the shade trees near the Seed House beginning at 8:00 a.m. The tour will provide ample opportunity to look at research plots and interact with weed science faculty,…

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Screening Waterhemp for Herbicide Resistance

June 17, 2013
Aaron Hager

We are pleased to announce that, with continued financial support from the Illinois Soybean Association, we are offering free screening for herbicide resistance in waterhemp during the 2013 growing season. To date, over 1000 plant samples have been screened through this collaborative effort between the weed science program at the University of Illinois and the Illinois Soybean Association. This valuable service helps farmers and researchers better track and understand the evolution of herbicide resistance in waterhemp across the state.…

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Purple and Yellow Corn Plants

June 13, 2013
Emerson Nafziger

The corn crop that was planted in May is up and growing in most fields, but there have been numerous reports of fields with uneven plant sizes and colors, including purple and yellow plants. Many are wondering if this will decrease potential yields.
Based on past experience many people expect to see purple corn when soils are cool and dry during early plant growth stages, or in that rare field with low soil test phosphorus levels.…

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How Late Can We Plant Corn and Soybeans?

June 11, 2013
Emerson Nafziger

The latest report from NASS indicates that 96 percent of the corn and 62 percent of the soybean crop in Illinois had been planted as of June 9. Some of the corn is struggling, however, with 13 percent of the crop rated as poor or very poor. Much of this is due to heavy rainfall, which has caused problems with stands, including areas in fields where the crop has drowned out from standing water. In other cases,…

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Dates and Locations for the 2014 University of Illinois Corn & Soybean Classics

June 11, 2013
Aaron Hager

The dates and locations for the 2014 University of Illinois Corn & Soybean Classics are set for next January. Our next series of meetings marks the 17th year of the Classics and will continue the program’s tradition of providing our clientele with the most current and timely information related to crop production, marketing and pest management.
The dates and meeting locations for the 2014 Corn & Soybean Classics are:
▸ January 6 (Monday): Champaign I Hotel and Conference Center
▸ January 7 (Tuesday): Mt.…

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Wheat scab rearing its ugly “head”

June 10, 2013
Aaron Hager

Head scab of wheat (a.k.a. Fusarium head blight) is showing up in Illinois wheat fields. Incidence is ranging from low (less than 10% of the heads affected) to moderately high (over 25% of the heads affected). Affected wheat heads will appear “bleached” in color. Heads often are partially affected, with both healthy green and affected bleached areas being present in the same head. Although I have not been in all wheat production areas in the state,…

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Western Corn Rootworm Hatch Confirmed in West Central Indiana

June 10, 2013
Michael Gray

Entomologists (Christian Krupke, John Obermeyer, and Larry Bledsoe) at Purdue University have confirmed that the annual larval hatch of western corn rootworms is underway. They found the first corn rootworm larva on June 6 and believe that hatch was initiated on June 4. This event was a little later than heat-unit totals predicted. I suspect that the drought of 2012 forced much deeper egg laying in the soil contributing to the slightly later hatch this spring.…

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Early Season Soybean Aphid Observations

June 10, 2013
Michael Gray

On May 15-19, 2013, Drs. David Voegtlin (retired entomologist, Illinois Natural History Survey) and Dave Hogg (Professor, University of Wisconsin, Madison), surveyed the overwintering hosts of soybean aphids — the common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) and glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus). Their 2,000 + mile survey of these primary hosts took them across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. A synopsis of their observations by state are provided below.…

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Armyworms Reach Impressive Levels in Southwestern Illinois Wheat

June 7, 2013
Michael Gray

Wheat producers, especially in southwestern Illinois, should be scouting their fields for armyworms and considering the need to apply a rescue treatment. Kevin Black, Insect and Plant Disease Technical Manager, Growmark, Inc., reported on June 7 that large numbers of armyworms were leaving roadside ditches, moving into adjacent wheat fields, and inflicting heavy damage. Armyworm densities and damage in one wheat field located northeast of St. Louis was particularly impressive. Because of the heavy rains this spring and the lack of mowing,…

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