Don’t Miss the Bugs

Temperatures in the mid-80s are perfect for crop insect development. Excessive moisture, such as this season brought, is a deterrent, but not a control measure for yield-affecting insects. It’s critical to keep scouting fields.
 
Potato Leaf Hoppers
The potato leaf hoppers are having a heyday (pun intended) in the local alfalfa fields, and if you didn’t plant a hopper-guard alfalfa variety, keep an eye out for the hoppers – and treat accordingly.
 
Soybean Aphids
“According to the University of Minnesota Extension, the soybean aphids are out and about,” said Kevin Carlson, Federated’s agronomy sales manager. “Our agronomists haven’t found any while scouting yet” – but aphids (see photo) are a perennial insect to watch for.
 
“We haven’t had too much trouble [in recent years] with aphids, but it’s not an insect we turn our back on,” he said. Continue to monitor for these yield-sucking insects.
 
Japanese Beetles
The beetles will attack soybeans, even to the point of eating small pods. They are around the Federated growing area, but tend to be spotty. They can do damage quickly, so watch your fields.
 
Discuss the findings of your field scouting with your Federated Agronomist to learn about treatment options.
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