For those struggling with Corn Rootworm, Bayer Crop Science has been working on a solution to curb the effects of these destructive insects. While competitor's products can offer middling protection by using BT proteins, Smartstax Pro from Bayer compliments its use of BT proteins with RNA Interference Technology which changes the makeup of the root, which when ingested denies an essential protein to the rootworm larvae, thus killing the insect before it can ravage the roots.
The best management practice to reduce the resistant rootworm population is to rotate out of corn for at least one year. If that field is rotated to a non-host crop (e.g. alfalfa, rye, triticale, sorghum-sudangrass) in the following year, the larvae will die after hatching, and the population will be eliminated.
The National No-Tillage Conference returns January 7-10, 2025!Build and refine your no-till system with dozens of new ideas and connections at the 33rd Annual National No-Tillage Conference in Louisville, Ky. Jan. 7-10, 2025. Experience an energizing 4-day agenda featuring inspiring general session speakers, expert-led No-Till Classrooms and collaborative No-Till Roundtables. Plus, Certified Crop Adviser credits will be offered.
Last week we had boots on the ground at the Big Soil Health Event in Cedar Falls, Iowa where agronomist David Kleinschmidt emphasized the importance of considering Carbon to Nitrogen ratios of cover crops and residues.