Corn and soybean growers, and those who advise them, often have insect management questions for which the correct answer is “It depends," notes Bruce Potter, University of Minnesota integrated pest management specialist, based in Lamberton.

Insecticide-resistant populations increase the difficulty of soybean aphid management decisions. So which insecticide group should be used? What about a pre or tankmix? Will seed treatments or earlier applications help?

Factor in today’s low crop prices, and some growers are looking at reducing input costs by minimizing rootworm and/or corn borer Bt traits, Potter says.

“Sometimes these hybrid decisions are made with limited knowledge of risk of loss to corn yield or harvestability,” he says.

Effective soybean aphid control and managing corn rootworms and corn borers without Bt means that the best decision can vary by geography, grower, farm and even field, he adds.

To help with these complicated decisions, Potter, along with Extension entomologists Bob Koch and Ken Ostlie, are hosting a workshop designed to help participants work through their corn and soybean insect management decisions. The workshop will use a question-and-answer and case-study approach. The scientists will provide management dilemma scenarios and will also include farmers’ real-world examples.

The workshop will be held from1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 28 at the U-M Southwest Research and Outreach Center in Lamberton.

“We will be spending minimal time on lectures, so bring your questions,” Potter says.

There is no charge for the meeting. However, Potter asks that you contact him at [email protected] to register and if you have any questions.

Directions to SWROC are at goo.gl/maps/A9TW9XgXKms.