Recent rounds of thunderstorms have brought highly variable rainfall totals across Indiana, continuing a familiar spring pattern of “haves and have-nots” when it comes to precipitation.
Recent rounds of thunderstorms have brought highly variable rainfall totals across Indiana, continuing a familiar spring pattern of “haves and have-nots” when it comes to precipitation.
Multi-state study examines whether AI and satellite-guided scouting and recommendations can improve yields and profits.
Wheat development continues across Indiana. In central Indiana, wheat is currently flowering (Feekes 10.5), while wheat in our southern Indiana research plots has advanced to the dough stage (Feekes 11.2).
Reports from eastern Indiana and Ohio suggest indicate some recent impressive black cutworm pheromone trap catches, reminding us that it is time to start thinking about this pest in certain situations.
In the center of this photograph, see an aerial view of true armyworm damage of forage. (Photo Credit: Alex Helms, Assistant Director of Purdue Agricultural Centers)
The first week of May certainly didn’t feel like May as temperatures ended up 5-10 deg F below normal across the state (Figure 1).
After another rainy start to the week, some of you may be ready for a few dry days to get out in the garden or field to start planting.
North central entomologists, led by Dr. Anthony Hanson at UMN, have developed a survey to assess the needs for future alfalfa weevil applied research and extension topics. Pyrethroid resistance is a concern and one of the topics we are trying to assess with this survey. If you haven’t already, please click the link or scan the QR code below and add your input. It takes only a couple of minutes and will be used to guide our efforts on applied research! Take the survey
Although we are in a cool weather period and many crops have not yet been planted, alfalfa weevil are active and feeding. Pest managers throughout the state should be watching for this pest and preparing to treat if necessary. They are highly cold tolerant, so these cool nights will not slow them down. As I wrote here about a month ago, rotating insecticides is highly recommended as well as doing a post-spray survey (i.e. Did it work? Are the larvae dead?). Even varying the pyrethroid of choice is better than doing the same thing every year. There are also non-pyrethroid options for control of this pest. See the alfalfa weevil management recommendations, here. Producers can manage this pest most effectively by utilizing heat unit accumulations data (base 48°F) to determine when sampling should begin and when an action should be taken. The map below, current as of May 1, 2026,[Read More…]
It is time to keep an eye on wheat for diseases and scab risk. There are a number of foliar diseases in wheat to watch out for. These include – leaf, strip and stem (Fig. 1A, B, C), Septoria leaf spot and tan spot (Fig. 2A, B). A number of resources are available to help distinguish wheat leaf diseases and “Identifying Rust Diseases of Wheat and Barley” and Crop Protection Network Encyclopedia Wheat plant samples can always be submitted to the Purdue Plant Pest Diagnostic Lab for disease identification and confirmation. Wheat in southern Indians was flowering (Feekes 10.5.1) when I was in our plots in Vincennes on Saturday (April 25), which is a week or so earlier than I expected. Our plots in West Lafayette were at Feekes 9 (ligule of last leaf just visible). During flowering (anthesis, Fig 3A) warm, wet weather with high relative humidity will favor[Read More…]
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