Maintaining economic viability in a year when uncertainty has become our new normal is especially important. For cotton grower Kody Beavers of Extension, Louisiana, preserving profit potential requires pest management that provides peace of mind and lasting control.

He relies on Transform^® WG insecticide to deliver the final blow to tarnished plant bug, aphids, stink bugs and other yield-robbing cotton pests, while also providing powerful residual control and a much-needed rotational partner to fight resistance. 

“Transform really does a good job of keeping us economically viable. It gives us the control we need without flaring mites and other secondary pests,” Beavers says.

And in challenging years like 2019 and 2020, when unfavorable weather may limit fieldwork and productivity, being able to make the most of any advantageous pockets of time is crucial.

“Having a product with good residual activity is key. It gives us the flexibility we need to avoid having to try to force fieldwork or get behind on things,” Beavers says. “We all know with Mother Nature it’s a guessing game whether you're going to be able to get in the field or not.”

Lasting residual activity also decreases trips across the field, helping hold down equipment costs. “With the ability to make fewer insecticide sprays, Transform does an excellent job of helping us be better stewards of our ground and of the environment so that we preserve our modes of action,” he says. 

By taking an integrated pest management approach, Beavers protects his land, the environment and his yield.

Transform, Beavers says, is one of the tools in his toolbox. “If we didn't have it, it would be very challenging for us to make cotton cash flow. If you can make the yield, you can survive with low prices. Without having economical products to treat pests like tarnished plant bug, our decision to grow cotton would be a little more difficult.”

Deciding when to pull the trigger on tarnished plant bug populations is based on square retention and scouting reports. 

Prior to bloom, Beavers says, he tries to maintain at least 80% square retention. Post bloom, insecticide treatments begin when they find more than two adult plant bugs per drop cloth or more than nine to 10 per sweep net. “We go out with a 1.5-ounce shot of Transform before bloom and then make subsequent applications as needed based on our scouting and our economic thresholds.”

If tarnished plant bug populations were left uncontrolled, he says, “You almost wouldn't have a crop. Without Transform I don't know that we can actually grow cotton. Tarnished plant bugs are just that troublesome. They migrate very hard from the maturing corn into our cotton. 

“Transform is very beneficial to us. It helps us to ensure that we keep our beneficials and that we don't flare any pests that could be a potential problem down the road. We’re also keeping our beneficials as a biological to potentially help with pest control,” he says. “At the end of the day, Transform is helping us survive in the economic times we're facing.”

It all leads back to economics, he says. “It’s really important to us to be as environmentally friendly as possible and not spray any more than necessary. That's our business model – keep costs down and minimize the number of needed treatments.”

For more information, visit Transform.Corteva.US.

_{TM ® Trademarks of Dow AgroSciences, DuPont or Pioneer, and their affiliated companies or their respective owners. Isoclast is a registered active ingredient. Transform WG is not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Always read and follow label directions. © 2020 Corteva. CA14-396-025 (05/20) BR   CAAG0TFRM057}