See national chem pricing trends in the FBN Research report
With seeds in the ground, focus now turns to emerging crops and any potential threats to their development. Weed, insect, and fungal (i.e. disease) pests are some of the most prevalent and damaging pressures, with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service estimating them to cost the U.S. economy more than $120 billion annually.
Understanding the location and prevalence of these 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 first 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 June 8-12, 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 as the biggest threat to their crop yields.
95% of farmers reported at least one weed pest in their field, with 44% noting at least one weed they considered a threat to their crop.
80% of farmers reported at least one insect pest, with 31% noting at least one insect they considered a threat to their crop.
62% of farmers reported at least one disease pest, with 22% noting at least one disease they considered a threat to their crop.
The most prevalent and threatening weed, insect and disease pressures are outlined in more detail below.
Weeds were the most prevalent and severe crop pest type. More than 95% of respondents said they had at least one weed pest in their fields and over 44% had at least one weed pest that they considered a threat to their crop.
The most prevalent weed in farmers’ fields was other pigweed species, with 81% of farmers reporting they had it. (However, only 12% considered pigweed a threat to their crop.) Waterhemp weeds caused the most concern for farmers, with 22% of respondents saying it could cause crop losses.
Click here to view weed pressure prevalence maps based on member-contributed data.
Other Pigweed Species - Corn Solutions:
Other Pigweed Species - Soybean Solutions:
Waterhemp - Corn Solutions:
Waterhemp - Soybean Solutions:
Although insect pests were also widespread, farmers were less concerned about their impact. 80% of respondents had at least one insect pest, but only 31% had at least one insect pest they considered a threat to their crops.
Rootworm was the most prevalent insect pest, showing up in 56% of farmers’ fields, but farmers considered grasshoppers the most worrying insect pest, with 15% saying they posed a problem for yields.
Click here to view insect pressure prevalence maps based on member-contributed data.
Rootworm - Corn Solutions:
Grasshoppers - Corn and Soy Solutions:
Grasshoppers - Wheat Solutions:
Finally, disease pests were similarly prevalent, with more than 62% of farmers citing at least one disease pest. However, only 22% of respondents had at least one fungal pest they considered a substantial concern for their yield.
45% of respondents said they were dealing with sudden death syndrome in their fields. Tar spot, though, was considered the most threatening, with 13% of farmers saying they were worried about crop losses from it.
Click here to view disease pressure prevalence maps based on member-contributed data.
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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