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Knowing what's in the field and at what level will be key to effective and efficient pest management programs.

Ron Smith, Editor

November 11, 2021

1 Min Read
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As agriculture prepares for the 2022 planting season, producers should factor in the possibility that favored products might not be available, say industry observers.Shelley E. Huguley

As farmers finish the 2021 harvest, many are already looking at crop protection strategies for 2022 and wondering if the products they need will be available or affordable.

Numerous factors—COVID-19, trade issues, and weather, among others—have affected supply chains for all industries, including agriculture.

See, Herbicide availability, cost might affect control strategy

As agriculture prepares for the 2022 planting season, producers should factor in the possibility that favored products might not be available, say industry observers.

Stretching input dollars as far as possible without sacrificing yield will be critical.

Applying best management practices to insect control will be imperative, says David Kerns, associate department head and IPM coordinator, Texas A&M University department of entomology.

“IPM will play a strong role,” he says. He offers four critical areas to watch.

  1. “Rate is important. Do not use more than needed for the situation. 

  2. “Avoid killing off beneficial insects that can lead to resurgence or outbreaks of secondary pests,” Kerns adds.

  3. He recommends applying only what’s needed. “Avoid unnecessary add-ins. For example, a farmer spraying herbicides adds an insecticide to the mix to be on the safe side. That’s an unnecessary expense. (See number 2.)  

  4.  “Always question the addition of adjuvants. Sometimes they are needed, but more often they are not.”

See, Efficient fertilization is key in 2022

The key to effective and efficient pest management programs will be knowing what’s in the field and at what level. Timely scouting will play a crucial role as producers look for the most cost-effective strategy for managing insect pests.

 

 

 

About the Author(s)

Ron Smith

Editor, Farm Progress

Ron Smith has spent more than 30 years covering Sunbelt agriculture. Ron began his career in agricultural journalism as an Experiment Station and Extension editor at Clemson University, where he earned a Masters Degree in English in 1975. He served as associate editor for Southeast Farm Press from 1978 through 1989. In 1990, Smith helped launch Southern Turf Management Magazine and served as editor. He also helped launch two other regional Turf and Landscape publications and launched and edited Florida Grove and Vegetable Management for the Farm Press Group. Within two years of launch, the turf magazines were well-respected, award-winning publications. Ron has received numerous awards for writing and photography in both agriculture and landscape journalism. He is past president of The Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association and was chosen as the first media representative to the University of Georgia College of Agriculture Advisory Board. He was named Communicator of the Year for the Metropolitan Atlanta Agricultural Communicators Association. Smith also worked in public relations, specializing in media relations for agricultural companies. Ron lives with his wife Pat in Denton, Texas. They have two grown children, Stacey and Nick, and two grandsons, Aaron and Hunter.

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