Trap Counts, June 20, 2014
Bollworm trap catches were up in the Delta region this week to levels about normal for this time of year. Most bollworm eggs will be laid in corn at this time when many corn fields are at silk stage. University research
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Cotton
Importance of Monitoring Square Retention in Young Cotton
Square retention is a critical component of early season plant bug management. I would strongly encourage you to take square retention counts along with your sweep net counts prior to bloom. Not only does this help in the decision making process of treating plant bugs, but it also helps you to get a better idea of how the products you are applying are working. Numbers alone can be deceiving when adults are steady moving into the field. When large numbers of adults are migrating into a field it is not uncommon to have as many or more plant bugs 4-5 days after a spray than you did before you sprayed and it still would not equate to a control failure.
Mississippi State University/Monsanto Company Field Day – July 10, 2014 – Robinsonville, MS
Mississippi State University and Monsanto Company will be conducting a field day in Robinsonville, MS on Thursday, July 10, 2014. The field day will focus on the Roundup Ready(R) Xtend Crop System in cotton and soybeans. Field demonstrations will include cotton and soybean germplasm
Mississippi State University/Dow AgroSciences Field Day – Dundee, MS – July 2, 2014
Mississippi State University and Dow AgroSciences will be conducting a field day at the farm of Douglas and Chris Hood on Wednesday, July 2, 2014. The field day will begin at 9 a.m. and will focus on Enlist(TM) Weed Control System in
Delta Area “Turn Row Talks” on Water Conservation Announced
On June 9, leaders from the Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board, key personnel from the Mississippi State University Extension Service, and stakeholder organizations a part of the Delta Sustainable Water Resources Task Force formally announced a series of summer irrigation “Turn Row Talks†to be held across the Delta during the month of July for producers to attend local, on-farm demonstrations of water conservation efforts being implemented and utilized by growers in their respective areas.
Delayed Weed Control Options in Cotton
Rainfall throughout the state has delayed weed control applications resulting in weeds that have become larger than desired and more difficult to control. Several calls have come in regarding sequential application options for management of glyphosate-resistant pigweeds and other species.
Tarnished Plant Bug Nymphs Showing Up in Pre-Bloom Cotton
The tarnished plant bug calls have started to come in on small cotton already. In some cases, consultants and growers are finding nymphs on very young cotton with only 1-2 squares. Similarly, some are reporting plant bug flagged terminals in pre-square cotton. We rarely have to spray pre-square cotton for plant bugs, but our threshold is 1 flagged plant per 10 row feet with bugs present. Although tarnished plant bugs are our most important and most consistent pest of cotton in the Delta, we usually don’t start finding nymphs until closer to first flower.
Influence of Rainfall on Insecticide Efficacy
Every year at some point during the season we seem to hit a rainy spell where it seems to rain at some point every day and we have showers widely scattered across the state. It started raining last Wednesday and we have had some rain everyday since then and it is currently raining in Stoneville right now (Monday morning). With that, the questions start about how long you need to spray before a rain to get acceptable control.
Delta Research and Extension Center’s Agronomic Crops Field Day, June 17, 2014
A corn, cotton, peanut, and soybean field day is scheduled for June 17th at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, MS. The general theme of the field day will include pertinent information for mid-season row crop issues.
Mixing Thrips Insecticides With Post Herbicides: Yes or No?
We have been getting a lot of questions the last 7 to 10 days about potential injury or problems associated with mixing thrips insecticides with POST herbicides over cotton. This will no doubt be controversial, but we are going to lay it out like we would if you called.
Pheromone Trap Counts, May 29, 2014
Bollworm trap catches were down in the Delta region this week from last week, while tobacco budworm catches were higher in the Delta (Table 1). There was minimal change for catches of either species in Northeastern MS. This is the
Simultaneous Cotton and Pigweed Emergence Issues
Planting progress on the 2014 cotton crop has certainly been more timely than in 2013; however, we still lag somewhat being a “normal” planting window. An issue that seems to be occurring on numerous farms this year is simultaneous cotton
Slugs – A Persistent Problem in Cool Years
I have gotten numerous calls about slugs this year in all crops but lately in cotton and soybean. Slug problems usually start on corn then soybeans then cotton in our area. This is only because we typically plant in this order. We have had isolated problems with slugs since 2004, some years worse than others.
Thrips Management in Cotton
Many of you have heard us talk about the declining efficacy of seed treatments against thrips throughout the winter meeting circuit. We started seeing the first signs of inadequate control about 4 years ago and the problem has seemed to get worse every year. Last year, most of the cotton in Mississippi was sprayed for thrips at least one time and many fields were sprayed multiple times, even behind a seed treatment. Until now, thiamethoxam (Cruiser, Avicta, or Acceleron N) has been impacted more than imidacloprid (Gaucho, Aeris, or Acceleron FI).
Cotton Re-Plant Decisions – Plant Populations
Several calls have come in this week regarding cotton re-plants. Making a call on re-plants is one of the most difficult aspects of crop production. However, several things should be considered when assessing a potential re-plant situation. The number of
2014 Insect and Disease Scout School Dates Set
The dates for the 2014 Scout Schools have now been set. We will be providing detailed information on identification, biology, thresholds, and management of the major insect and disease pest of Mississippi row crops. These trainings can also be used to renew your insect and disease consultants license and CEU’s for Certified Crop Advisors will be provided at each. The meetings will also serve as In-Service training opportunities for MSU-ES agents as well. These trainings are great for the experienced and the inexperienced.
Farm Bill and Market News & Notes
A few items from us boring ag economists — We’re still analyzing the 2014 Farm Bill (largely waiting on the rules and regulations). But, in the mean time, click the links below for a few items that be of use:
New Neonicotinoid Pollinator Protection Labels
We have had several calls in recent days as news gets out about the EPA’s recent label changes for neonicotinoid insecticides. The intent is to offer greater protection for pollinators in and around crops where this class of insecticides may be applied. Basically, the new language forbids the use of these products while bees are foraging and until flowering is complete and all petals have fallen off the plants. There are a few exceptions if certain criteria are met.
Start Planning Plant Bug Management Now
Although very little, if any, cotton has been planted in the Delta, it is not too early to start thinking about managing tarnished plant bugs.
“Bee Aware” Flags Ready for Distribution
Recently several groups in Mississippi came together and developed then adopted a set of Cooperative Standards for row crop farmers and beekeepers in an effort to increase awareness of pollinator’s and create an environment where each could coexist while minimizing any
UPDATED CONTENT: Dicamba and 2,4-D Plantback Restrictions
With the cold, wet weather, many burndown herbicide applications were delayed. This has led to a multitude of questions on plantback restrictions for 2,4-D and dicamba prior to planting corn and soybeans.
Calibrating Insecticides in Row Crops
I have gotten numerous question about calibration of in-furrow rigs this year, so I am republishing an article I put up in the past that breaks calibrating pesticides down to a very easy understandable level. Proper calibration can mean the difference in control or failure of a product against the targeted pests and potentially thousands of dollars of savings to the grower.
2014 Cotton Maturity Guide
The annual cotton maturity guide has been updated for 2014. Cotton is unique with respect to maturity indices, especially compared to commonly grown grain crops. Generally speaking, the earliest maturing cotton varieties differ from the latest maturing cotton varieties by
Cotton Market Update
The holiday shortened week was active with futures starting out on Tuesday up roughly 40 points across 2014 contract months, then fell hard on Wednesday before rebounding a bit on Friday. A stronger U.S. dollar has dampened export sales, the
2014 Mid-South Ag Forum at the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show
The 62nd annual Mid-South Farm & Gin Show will be held February 28 – March 1, 2014 at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis, TN. More than 400 exhibitors from more than 40 states will be on-hand showcasing the latest
