By Don Donovan  

Scouting is not the most glamorous part of farming. Yet many farmers find it’s one investment that pays off. This is especially true as you start your soil health journey using no-till and cover crops, although it applies to all farming systems. 

Effective scouting is hard work, takes time and should involve every field you farm multiple times a growing season. There are reasons ag retailers hire college students looking for summer income to do their scouting. Effective scouting can’t be done from the comfort of your truck. It takes quite a bit of walking, getting dirty and even getting soaking wet.   

Scouting specifics

What do you need to scout for and what are the best strategies? Here are suggestions:

Look for small weeds. Many problem weeds, such as Palmer amaranth or waterhemp, are better controlled while very small. Catch them as they break though the soil surface and are identifiable. Many weeds grow so fast that by the time you can see them down the row, it may be too late for effective control and therefore means a potential yield reduction and multiple-year issues. 

To scout effectively, you must be comfortable and confident identifying weeds at a very immature stage. Get yourself a good field guide such as the Purdue Corn and Soybean Field Guide, which is also available as an app for your phone or tablet. Keep it in your pocket as you scout so you can identify small weed seedlings.

Stay informed. The Purdue Extension Entomology Pest and Crop Newsletter is a weekly resource providing timely information about pests and crops throughout Indiana. Slugs, armyworms, voles and other pests can be an issue in no-till and cover crop systems. The newsletter often includes alerts about these potential pests.

Recognize beneficial insects. Notice while you’re scouting the number of beneficial insects and spiders that you see. They can be very effective in controlling certain pests. Some beetles eat large amounts of weed seeds.   

Be timely. Effective scouting before planting and right after planting can provide information you need to determine if control of a weed or insect pest is needed. With today’s farm economy providing narrow profit margins, effective scouting can determine your profit margin as you try to decide whether to apply the proper pesticide.  

Mark pest locations. Precision technology in the tractor and combine cab can help you in your scouting program. If you see an issue during planting or harvest, mark that spot so you can keep an eye on it during the growing season. Taking the time to inspect that location later to verify up close what the issue might be could go a long way in preventing the issue from reoccurring.  

Know instead of guess. An effective scouting program can provide a definite return on your investment of time and money through improved yields and more efficient use of input products. Just because the neighbors are spraying doesn’t mean you also need to spray. Scouting removes guesswork.

With the margins on commodities being so small, application of pest control products needs to be timely and effective, while providing a return on the investment of time and product. The side benefits of good scouting include less products applied to the environment. That is a win-win all the way around.

Donovan is a district conservationist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. He writes on behalf of the Indiana Conservation Partnership.