Pest Management

Extension specialists and educators provide timely information on management of weeds, insects and disease in Wisconsin cropping systems.

Articles

Field Notes Episode 25: Good Bugs and Planting Naked Seed

Treated seed is the default for planted soybean (60-80%) and especially corn (close to 100%) acres across the US. While there are certainly advantages to some seed treatments, especially fungicidal treatments for early planted soybeans, others like insecticidal seed treatments can have a negative effect on the beneficial insects–aka good bugs–that prey on major pests in agricultural fields. Some farmers in a bid to save some money and help out the beneficials have gone back to planting naked seed.

Managing Slugs in Wisconsin Field Crops

Slugs are becoming an increasingly challenging pest for Wisconsin farmers who use conservation cropping practices like no-till and cover crops. The increased adoption of these practices in recent years, along with milder winters and wetter springs projected for Wisconsin in the future, may increase the importance of slugs as pests of field crops.  

EPA Herbicide Strategy Implementation on New Herbicide Labels 

The Herbicide Mitigation Strategy is one of the first phases of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) work plan to achieve compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and will set the tone for subsequent changes in the coming years. Moving forward, the herbicide strategy will be applied to all new herbicide active ingredient registrations and be considered during the herbicide registration review process. Outlined below are the key changes to the label and mitigation practice resources.

Fall Pest Management for Diversified Vegetable Farms

Do you want to get a head start on managing next year’s insect pests? Focus on managing your crop residue. Removing or tilling in crop residue this fall could make a big impact towards pest management. Read for pest-specific strategies on residue management as well as other cultural control options.

 What is Open-Source Software, and How Does it Fit in Ag?

As more farmers have now grown up in the age of computers and software development, we are starting to see an increase in open-source projects related to agriculture. Open-source software (OSS) is a software product for which the code is freely available to the public to use or modify.

Managing European Corn Borer in Wisconsin Corn Fields

European corn borers (Ostrinia nubilalis) are destructive corn pests in Wisconsin. Larvae feed on corn leaves and in developing tassels, stalks, and ear tips. European corn borer damage reduces grain quality, increases grain loss, and leads to problems at harvest.