Mild Midwest Winter May Lead to Early Pest Control Efforts
Winter temperatures across the Midwest were mild in 2023. The snow cover was limited. If spring weather warms soil temperatures quickly enough, farmers might want to start planting earlier than usual.
“Combining those factors of a mild winter and possibly warmer temperatures early in the season, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more early season insect pressure,” says Jason Gibson, market development specialist, Crop Protection, Corteva Agriscience. “Ag retailers should prepare now to stay ahead of the product demand curve that could materialize moving into the first part of the growing season.”
Although the commodities market may be sending bullish signals that soybeans may be more profitable in 2024, Gibson remembers the difficulty more than a few farmers had last year with white mold across many soybean acres. Although it may vary from state to state, he would not be surprised to see more corn going into the ground because there are some regions of the Midwest that traditionally have had more problems with soybean-related diseases.
“A number of my farmer clients admitted they faced a lot of headwinds in 2023 raising soybeans,” Gibson says. “Midwest farmers traditionally love to plant corn, so ag retailers should keep that thought in mind moving forward.”
Moth flights of cut worms and true army worms that make their way up from the Gulf Coast may also occur earlier this season that may need to be addressed. Other insect pests like gall midges, and the dectes stem borer (soybean stem borer) wreaked havoc on many soybeans last season. Infestations of the dectes stem borer cause leaf loss, yield decline and plant lodging.
“For those farmers who will stick with soybeans, I would encourage them to consider Ridgeback® insecticide when economic thresholds of soybean leaf aphids and bean leaf beetles are reached.” Gibson says. “It can also be an excellent addition to a fungicide program when it’s going out around that R3 reproductive window. We’re seeing higher yields when products like Ridgeback insecticide are tank-mixed with a fungicide than we do if those products are applied independently. There’s an aspect of plant physiology that’s being positively impacted there.”
Containing a unique mode of action, Isoclast® active, Ridgeback® insecticide acts on pests that are resistant to other chemistries. The translaminar movement of Isoclast active reaches insect pests that are on the underside of leaves, while improving both plant productivity and yield potential.
In areas where farmers are dealing with resistance to pyrethroids, which is the #1 group of insecticides used across the Midwest in the Group 3 chemistry, Ridgeback® insecticide can step in and provide good control of those leaf aphids that otherwise would not be controlled by pyrethroids.
“Ridgeback® insecticide is especially helpful in the northern areas where resistance is more prevalent,” Gibson says. “You are utilizing a Group 3 chemistry and combining it with a Group 4C. It’s that Group 4C active ingredient (sulfoxaflor) that is good at controlling soybean leaf aphids. Ag retailers need to keep this mind and on the radar of their farmer customers in 2024.”
Refer to product label for complete product use information.
™ ® Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. Ridgeback® is not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Isoclast® is a registered active ingredient. Always read and follow label directions. ©2024 Corteva. 020524 BR (03/24) CAAG4TFRM057