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Harrison County was the site of three recent events highlighting local efforts addressing herbicide resistance.

Corteva Agriscience recently confirmed resistance to the Cry34/35Ab1 Bt protein in Delaware County. 

Three of four Bt traits targeting corn rootworm (Cry3Bb1/Yieldguard rootworm; mCry3A/Agrisure RW; and eCry3.1Ab + mCry3A/Agrisure Duracade) are not reliable for rootworm control due to widespread resistance. Due to a reduction in effectiveness of the Cry3 proteins, farmers have come to rely upon Cry34/35Ab1 for rootworm protection, placing significant selection pressure on this trait.

Resistance to pesticides, genetic traits and other control practices continues to show up in weeds, insects and disease pathogens in Iowa. If this problem isn’t addressed, crop yields will decrease, or crop production costs will increase — or both. Iowa has taken the lead on the issue by creating and implementing the Iowa Pest Resistance Management Program. 

By Paul Lasley, Iowa State University Sociologist

In my last editorial I argued that group action is required if we are to effectively manage field crop pests by concluding, “Some things are too big for anyone to accomplish alone and too important not to try to do together.”  

There is little doubt that productivity gains in corn and soybeans can be attributed, in part, to better pest management, which often relies upon herbicides and insecticides. However these pesticides are becoming less effective.