Agronomist reports increased corn rootworm pressure

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Agronomist reports increased corn rootworm pressure

A precision agronomist with Advanced Agrilytics says this has been one of the worst years for corn rootworm pressure.

Michael Martin is based in west central Iowa and says he’s telling growers “the best thing would be to rotate and get some of those corn-on-corn acres off. But, if you’re going to go back to corn, we need to for sure spray an insecticide to try to kill or depress that beetle population and kill what we have out there so they’re not laying eggs for next year.”

He tells Brownfield corn rootworm pressure can lead to standability issues.

“If there was enough (corn rootworm) feeding, plants are starting to lodge at the root and at the ground level,” he says. “So, we’re trying to let growers know and the guys we’re working with to prioritize those fields and make sure we harvest those early, quick, and timely.”  

Martin says in addition to rootworm pressure, ag inputs, supply chain issues, and fall fertility are also top of mind for growers.

Audio: Michael Martin

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