See national chem pricing trends in the FBN Research report
The 2023 growing season is well underway, which has largely been characterized by dry weather over much of the Midwest. Dry weather can induce stress in crops, making them more susceptible to pests.
Understanding the location and prevalence of these crop pests — and where they may be headed next — is of the utmost importance in protecting a crop.
This pest update, which utilizes FBN® member-contributed data, is the second report in a new FBN series intended to help farmers make informed decisions about how best to protect their fields from such pressures. It utilizes data collected through a survey to FBN members between July 18-21, 2023, which the FBN Research team analyzed to determine the presence and severity of 29 different weed, insect and fungal pests.
While weeds, insects and diseases were all reported to be present in fields, farmers highlighted weeds and insects as the biggest threats to their crop yields.
93% of farmers reported at least one weed pest in their field, with 30% noting at least one weed they considered a threat to their crop.
94% of farmers reported at least one insect pest, with 30% noting at least one insect they considered a threat to their crop.
65% of farmers reported at least one disease pest, with 11% noting at least one disease they considered a threat to their crop.
While weed statistics are lower than our June FBN Pest Report, insect pests are more prevalent, which is to be expected as weeds tend to become less of a problem and insects become more of a problem after the establishment of a crop, especially in a dry year.
Disease prevalence is largely unchanged from our June survey, but only half as many farmers identified it as a serious issue compared to the June report.
The most prevalent and threatening weed, insect and disease pressures are outlined in more detail below.
Weeds, along with insects, were the most prevalent and severe crop pest type. About 93% of respondents said they had at least one weed pest in their fields and a little under 30% had at least one weed pest that they considered a threat to their crop.
The most prevalent weed in farmers’ fields was waterhemp, with 69% of farmers reporting they had it. Waterhemp also caused the most concern for farmers, with 14% of respondents saying it could cause crop losses. All weed species were considered less of a threat to crops compared to responses in our June survey.
Other Pigweed Species - Corn Solutions
Other Pigweed Species - Soybean Solutions
Waterhemp - Corn Solutions:
Waterhemp - Soybean Solutions
Insect pests were also widespread: 94% of respondents had at least one insect pest, and just under 30% had at least one insect pest they considered a threat to their crops.
Japanese beetles were the most prevalent insect pest, showing up in 61% of farmers’ fields, and 10% of farmers considered them problematic for crop yields. Grasshoppers were once again the most worrying insect pest, with 12% of respondents saying they posed a problem for yields. Unlike the June survey, rootworms were less prevalent and less serious in July.
Japanese Beetles - Corn Solutions:
Grasshoppers - Corn and Soy Solutions:
Grasshoppers - Wheat Solutions:
Finally, disease pests were slightly more prevalent in July than they were in June, with more than 65% of farmers citing at least one disease pest. However, only 11% of respondents had at least one fungal pest they considered a substantial concern for their yield — half the proportion from last month.
Most fungal diseases were less prevalent and less serious than they were in June, except for Frogeye Leaf Spot and Soybean Rust, though those were only up slightly. Gray Leaf Spot was the most prevalent disease among respondents, and Tar Spot was considered the most serious, though only 4% said it was a problem.
Tar Spot - Corn Solutions:
Given the threat these weed, insect and disease pressures can pose to a farmer’s production and bottom line, it’s important to proactively address them. FBN Direct® offers a diverse range of effective — and cost-effective — crop protection products to help farmers manage such pests.
The list below, which includes products currently available for purchase and direct-to-farm delivery from FBN Direct, outlines a number of recommended solutions to protect corn and soybeans.
Corn Solutions: Willowood Mesotrione 4SC or Meto 1.7 + Meso 0.22 + Atrzn 1.66 Value Pick*
Soybean Solutions: GCS Metola Plus 8EC or Willowood Glufosinate 280SL
Corn Solutions: Willowood Mesotrione 4SC or Meto 1.7 + Meso 0.22 + Atrzn 1.66 Value Pick*
Soybean Solutions: GCS Metola Plus 8EC or Willowood Glufosinate 280SL
Corn Solutions: Willowood Mesotrione 4SC or Meto 1.7 + Meso 0.22 + Atrzn 1.66 Value Pick* or AgSaver™ Glyphosate 53.8%
Soybean Solutions: GCS Metola Plus 8EC or Willowood Glufosinate 280SL or AgSaver™ Glyphosate 53.8%
Corn Solutions: AgSaver™ Glyphosate 53.8% or GCS Metola Plus 8EC
Soybean Solutions: AgSaver™ Glyphosate 53.8% or GCS Metola Plus 8EC or Willowood Glufosinate 280SL
Corn Solutions: Willowood Mesotrione 4SC or Meto 1.7 + Meso 0.22 + Atrzn 1.66 Value Pick* or AgSaver™ Glyphosate 53.8% or Atrazine 4L Value Pick*
Soybean Solutions: AgSaver™ Glyphosate 53.8% or Willowood Glufosinate 280SL
Corn Solutions: Willowood Mesotrione 4SC or Meto 1.7 + Meso 0.22 + Atrzn 1.66 Value Pick* or AgSaver™ Glyphosate 53.8% or Atrazine 4L Value Pick*
Soybean Solutions: AgSaver™ Glyphosate 53.8% or GCS Metola Plus 8EC or Willowood Glufosinate 280SL
Corn Solutions: Willowood Mesotrione 4SC or Meto 1.7 + Meso 0.22 + Atrzn 1.66 Value Pick* or AgSaver™ Glyphosate 53.8% or Atrazine 4L Value Pick*
Soybean Solutions: AgSaver™ Glyphosate 53.8% or Willowood Glufosinate 280SL
Corn Solutions: Willowood Mesotrione 4SC or Meto 1.7 + Meso 0.22 + Atrzn 1.66 Value Pick* or AgSaver™ Glyphosate 53.8% or Atrazine 4L Value Pick*
Soybean Solutions: AgSaver™ Glyphosate 53.8% or GCS Metola Plus 8EC or Willowood Glufosinate 280SL
Corn Solutions: Willowood Lambda-Cy 1EC* or GCS Bifenthrin 2EC*
Soybean Solutions: Willowood Lambda-Cy 1EC* or GCS Bifenthrin 2EC*
Corn and Soybean Solutions: Willowood Lambda-Cy 1EC* or GCS Bifenthrin 2EC*
Corn and Soybean Solutions: Willowood Lambda-Cy 1EC* or GCS Bifenthrin 2EC*
Corn and Soybean Solutions: Willowood Lambda-Cy 1EC* or GCS Bifenthrin 2EC*
Corn and Soybean Solutions: Willowood Lambda-Cy 1EC* or GCS Bifenthrin 2EC*
Corn and Soybean Solutions: Willowood Lambda-Cy 1EC* or GCS Bifenthrin 2EC*
Corn and Soybean Solutions: Willowood Lambda-Cy 1EC* or GCS Bifenthrin 2EC*
Corn Solution: GCS Bifenthrin LFC*
Corn Solutions: Willowood Lambda-Cy 1EC* or GCS Bifenthrin 2EC*
Soybean Solution: GCS Azoxy 2SC
Corn Solution: GCS Azoxyprop
Corn Solution: GCS Azoxyprop
Soybean Solution: GCS Azoxyprop
Soybean Solution: GCS Azoxyprop
Corn Solution: GCS Azoxyprop
Corn Solution: GCS Azoxyprop
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*Meto 1.7 + Meso 0.22 + Atrzn 1.66 Value Pick, Atrazine 4L Value Pick, GCS Bifenthrin LFC, and Willowood Lambda-Cy 1EC are Restricted Use Pesticides 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.
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