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Producer Perception of Large-Scale Foliar Fungicide Adoption on Corn
Upon reviewing the data collected in the study, researchers concluded that corn growers struggle with “balancing the conflicting roles of environmental stewardship and successful businessperson. In reality, short-term profit-making trumps the environmental stewardship role.”
Weeds
Focus weeds for Harrison County Pest Resistance Project
The Harrison County Pest Resistance Project initially began in 2017 as a result of the introduction of Palmer amaranth in the county four years prior. As most farmers in the area are grappling with herbicide resistant weeds but do not have Palmer in their fields yet, the project was expanded to include waterhemp, marestail, and giant ragweed. Read below to learn more about these weeds and why they were included in this project.
Waterhemp
Harrison History
The Harrison County landscape includes both hills and valleys. Farming techniques differ depending on the topography of the farm because what works in the valleys does not work in the hills and vice versa. Tillage is not used in the Loess Hills but it is in the bottoms.As seen in 2019, flooding on the Missouri River bottoms is a significant challenge that affects management. Deposition of sand affects how locals farm, and weed seeds are spread during flooding as well. The high water table affects other aspects of management.
Harrison Pests
The Harrison County Pest Resistance Project initially began in 2017 as a result of the introduction of Palmer amaranth in the county four years prior. As most farmers in the area are grappling with herbicide resistant weeds but do not have Palmer in their fields yet, the project was expanded to include waterhemp, marestail, giant ragweed and disease trials as well. Read below to learn more about local disease and weeds and why they were included in this project.
Pests
What’s the deal with pest resistance?
Pests – insects, disease and weeds -- are a regular part of life. For large areas, our pest removal practices have included spraying safe pesticides or relying on plant genetics to manage them. But many pests can reproduce quickly and often, allowing them to evolve and develop tolerance to some of our easiest, cheapest and most effective management tools. Some pests are completely tolerant to some pesticides. When this occurs, it is called pest resistance, because they can now resist and survive a specific management tactic that previously controlled them.
Pest resistance is a natural process. However, when it comes to something as valuable as our food and when there’s no easy way to fight a pest, it can lead to yield reductions and increasing costs. Farmers, landowners, scientists, private businesses, and groups of individuals are finding ways to preserve our management tools, prevent pest resistance, and develop management strategies for already resistant pests.
Story County Farm Resistance Network
The Story County Farm Resistance Network formed in 2019 in response to weeds that are becoming more difficult to control. The group shares common goals: to preserve the effectiveness of management tools and to encourage others to help. So far, the team members include farmers, COOP advisers, ag retailer reps and ISU Extension. A video has been created to introduce the team (below).
Alfalfa Pest Management Working Group
Alfalfa Pest Management Working Group
The Alfalfa Pest Management Working Group (APMWG) consists of scientists and extension practitioners who are working together to create management resources for diseases, insect pests, and disorders of alfalfa as part of the Crop Protection Network's online suite of tools. The APMWG has received funding through the North Central Integrated Pest Management Center.
Phytopoetry
Join Sebastian Eugene Bartholomew, #Phytopoetry Expert, as he muses on mold, ponders plants, and bellows bug ballads. S.E. Bartholomew specializes in intellectual modesty and tact, using his vast store of knowledge to easily solve complex pest and plant issues.
Harrison Activities
The Harrison team participates in outreach, field days, and other activities described below to spread the word about resistance and encourage local farmers to make resistance management planning part of their annual process.