Warning! Variegated Cutworm found East of Mauston

Warning!  Variegated cutworm has been found just east of Mauston.   This pest can move in and multiply very fast.   The Variegated cutworm will attack most crops grown in our area.    Please check your fields now, corn, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa, pasture, etc.    

Please look at the fact sheets (links below) and the picture that  intern Allen Herritz and agronomist Austin Bohm found today in a soybean field.  (Photo by Allen Herritz).

Varigated cutworm fact sheet

ipcm.wisc.edu-Variegated Cutworm on Alfalfa

 Let us know if we can help you look for this pest.

Second crop Alfalfa — Light PLH and Alfalfa Weevil pressure found

We finally have a nice sunny morning, and I’m out scouting some second crop Alfalfa.  I figured we should get it   done today with the forecast for storms tomorrow.    The Alfalfa is at 4 to 6” tall.  We found low levels of PLH (potato leaf hopper) and Alfalfa Weevil.    But with warmer temperatures these pests can advance rapidly, so I would encourage you to keep a close eye on your second crop. 

I have included a few pictures from this morning.  For some reference materials to help you identify these pests, click on the following link  AlfalfaInsectMgt by Craig Saxe. 

Please call your local Agronomy Advisor if you need help checking your fields.  We like to check fields approximately 7 to 10 days after cutting.  — Rob Shields, Agronomist

 

“On the Radar” Crop Scouting Report

Be sure to check out this week’s “On the Radar” crop scouting report for a look at what our scouts are seeing in the fields this week — including low temperature injury shown on the plant pictured.

http://allied.coop/images/E0067101/fieldstatusupdate52215.pdf

Corn at V2 and V3 — Time to consider pre-sidedress nitrogen testing

Our field corn is already hitting V2 and V3 in area fields. Time to be looking at what additional nitrogen is needed to make target yields. Our Agronomy intern at Galesville / Arcadia, Grace Curran, was out with me today looking at area fields and pulling some pre-sidedress nitrate tests.

Below are some links to information on what this test is and why you should be looking at it.

SoilNitrateTests

Wisconsin pre-sidedress soil nitrate test

Please contact your local Allied agronomy center to get some pre-side dress samples pulled today!

Alert! A few reports of cutworm activity

We have started to see evidence of spotty cutworm activity.  

I have attached some photos and some reference material to help you identify this pest.   If you are not sure what you are looking at take a picture for us or bring in the pest for positive identification.   If you do find feeding damage above threshold levels do not wait to act!   Pick a product like Baythroid or Arctic to knock down this pest quickly.

Please contact your local Allied Agronomy advisor for additional information.

Baythroid_XL_Label1i

Arctic tech sheet

Arctic label

Wisconsin corn planting progress way ahead of last year!

According to the latest USDA Wisconsin Crop Progress & Condition report, we are at 85% planted vs. the five year average of 53%.  Last year we were only at 34% planted at this time of year.  To see the full crop progress report, please click on the following link.  

Wisconsin Crop Progress & Condition report 5-18-15

Alert! Slug Damage Found in Area Field Corn

With the cooler and wet weather we have seen an increase in slug activity on our young corn plants.  I have seen this mainly on early planted no-till fields in the area.   The best cure for this pest would be warm and dry weather.  Chemical control options are not known to be highly effective.   Please contact your local Allied Agronomy advisor to help check your fields now and to discuss management options. 

Following are some links to articles that can help you diagnose if this is a problem in your fields. 

UW slug report

Slugs in field corn

— Rob Shields, Agronomist

Seed Corn Maggots Found Near Tomah

Warning!  One of our agronomists has found seed corn maggot activity in the Tomah area.  Please check your corn fields now to see if there is any activity.  If you have not planted all of your corn yet and you are using an in furrow fertilizer, please consider using an insecticide.   Included in this post you will see photos to help you identify this damaging pest. 

By being proactive and using Capture LFR up front you can greatly reduce the chances of this pest feeding on your corn.  If left unchecked this pest can remove large areas of corn plants from your fields.  Click on the links below for more information on Capture LFR.

Capture LFR Fact Sheet

Capture LFR – Mixing Application Instructions

Capture LFR label

The link below is for some reference material from FMC on what Capture LFR is and how to use the product.

FMC – Capture

I am also included a link to a tech sheet from the UW to give you some further background information on this pest. 

UW – Seed Corn Maggots

If you are unsure of what you are seeing out in the field please contact one of our agronomists to assist you.                         — Rob Shields, Agronomist