“When you approach the rootworm as just a problem that has to be solved, you’re not taking into account the animal’s biology,” Ann Marie Journey says. “You’re hitting it just at certain points or with certain methods or controls, and you’re not allowing yourself in effect to have a conversation to gain insight back from the rootworms about what it is that makes them successful in any given place."

Using pre-emergence herbicides is a great way to stay ahead of weeds in corn and soybean production, but there is more to it than simply picking the right herbicide or spraying at correct time. How well these herbicides perform is dependent on your soil and how you farm.

The University of Minnesota Extension details some of the key herbicides to watch for in the season ahead, featuring products from AMVAC, BASF, Bayer, Corteva, FMC, and Syngenta.

This article summarizes some of the key steps to winterizing sprayers. Be sure to check your owner’s manual for detailed instructions for your particular sprayer so you don’t void any manufacturer’s warranty.

Sporadic reports of fall armyworm have emerged in parts of the Corn Belt. While they don’t strike every year, fall armyworms can devastate forages and crops, making late-season scouting crucial.

"Once we find the first measurable feeding on corn or beans, we either apply slug pellets to the lower/shaded areas, or the whole field depending on slug pressure," says Phil Needham of Calhoun, Ky.

Here are some tips, observations and insights from strip-till veterans and industry leaders to think about before hopping in the planter this spring.

A native insect that primarily fed on forest plants has developed a taste for soybeans — and that transformation has researchers concerned.