Shop online & get crop protection delivered direct.
U.S. farmers have lost as much as 70% of their hay crop to grasshoppers in recent years, reports the Los Angeles Times, with the pests also causing major yield losses and feed shortages for other growers and livestock producers.
Farmers and ranchers are now preparing for what could be an even more devastating grasshopper infestation in the western United States this year, with some experts telling the Los Angeles Times they’re concerned “this could be our worst year yet.”
The increased grasshopper presence is being fueled by the recent warm spring — which leads the pest to develop more quickly and lay more eggs over a longer period of time — and the current dry, hot summer conditions.
Northern California and Oregon are reportedly among the states experiencing the worst grasshopper infestations of the year, with The Gazette also noting that Colorado is seeing its “worst infestation in memory.”
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) division released a “2024 Rangeland Grasshopper Hazards” map highlighting all impacted states, which include:
Arizona
California
Colorado
Idaho
Kansas
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Oregon
South Dakota
Texas
Washington
Grasshoppers are voracious eaters that can consume as much as 250% of their body weight in a single day. This means that 30 pounds of grasshoppers have the ability to consume as much as a 600-pound cow.
Different types of grasshoppers impact crops in different ways, but most are willing to eat any exposed part of a plant. Among the crops that grasshoppers impact are:
Cereals: Barley, oats, and wheat
Legumes: Alfalfa and soybeans
Vegetables: Beans, carrots, and lettuce
Forage crops: Grasses and hay
FBN agronomists recommend the following for managing grasshoppers:
Corn: Willowood Lambda-Cy 1EC*
Soybeans: Willowood Lambda-Cy 1EC or Willowood Imidacloprid 4SC*
Cotton: Willowood Lambda-Cy 1EC or Willowood Imidacloprid 4SC
Rice: Willowood Lambda-Cy 1EC
Barley, Flax, Wheat, and Oats: Poleci 2.5 EC Western Insecticide or Deltamethrin 5 EC Insecticide VP
Click here for more details on chem application rates and timing.
Guard your farm against grasshoppers by stocking up on insecticides at FBN. A one-stop-shop for crop protection and livestock feed, FBN can help protect your crops and your herd against the devastating effects of pests. Shop online 24/7 and get insecticides and more ag products and supplies delivered directly to your farm.
How to Optimize Crop Decisions in Dry Weather or Drought Conditions
Manage Insects, Weeds, Diseases with New FBN® Pest Solutions Pages
Written by Stephanie Nikolopoulos, assisted by Norm℠.
This content was generated with the assistance of Norm℠, FBN’s artificial intelligence (AI) Ag Advisor, based on a dataset of information containing general industry best practices and research. The AI model did not use specific external sources to generate this content. Our process involves using AI to aid human subject matter experts with the initial drafting and/or refinement of content.
The information and content provided is believed to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. The content is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for specific agronomic, business, or professional advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Neither Farmer's Business Network Inc. nor any of its affiliates makes any representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in the material and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed. If you have any questions or feedback about the content, please feel free to contact us or visit our FAQ (https://www.fbn.com/community/blog/norm-faq).
© 2014 - 2024 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN”, "Farmers First", “FBN Direct” , "F2F", and "F2F Genetics Network" are trademarks or registered trademarks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc.
Willowood Lambda-Cy 1EC is a restricted use pesticide.
Willowood Imidacloprid 4SC is a restricted use pesticide.
*RESTRICTED USE PESTICIDE Due to acute toxicity. For retail sale to and use by certified applicators only – NOT to be used by uncertified persons working under the supervision of a certified applicator.
FBN Direct products and services and other products distributed by FBN Direct are offered by FBN Inputs, LLC and are available only in states where FBN Inputs, LLC is licensed and where those products are registered for sale or use, if applicable. If applicable, please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Nothing contained on this page, including the prices listed should be construed as an offer for sale, or a sale of products. All products and prices are subject to change at any time and without notice and excludes CA mills tax and MN ACRRA fees. Terms and conditions apply.
ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. It is a violation of federal and state law to use any pesticide product other than in accordance with its label. The distribution, sale and use of an unregistered pesticide is a violation of federal and/or state law and is strictly prohibited. We do not guarantee the accuracy of any information provided on this page or which is provided by us in any form. It is your responsibility to confirm prior to purchase and use that a product is labeled for your specific purposes, including, but not limited to, your target crop or pest and its compatibility with other products in a tank mix and that the usage of a product is otherwise consistent with federal, state and local laws. We reserve the right to restrict sales on a geographic basis in our sole discretion. You must have a valid applicator license to use restricted use pesticides. Please consult your state department of agriculture for complete rules and regulations on the use of restricted use pesticides, as some products require specific record-keeping requirements.
All product suggestions and other information provided is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for consulting the product label or for specific agronomic, business, or professional advice. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, consult with a qualified advisor. Neither Farmer's Business Network Inc. nor any of its affiliates makes any representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in the material and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed.