Corn rootworm has never been a huge problem on the farm of brothers Chet and Charles Edinger west of Mitchell, South Dakota – until this year.
“This is an abnormally buggy year in general,” Chet Edinger said from the phone July 21.
He used to be able to rely on their three- or four-crop rotation to break up the pest cycle. Now he’s found the pollen-loving corn rootworm beetles snacking on his sunflower pollen and says the pests are worse than ever.
Crop rotation on the Edingers’ farm ground in Aurora, Davis and Sanborn counties is no longer enough, he said.
“We always thought we could get away from it,” he said. “That’s proven to be not the case anymore.”
Last winter’s heavy snow is an indication that corn rootworm populations will be strong this year, according to Adam Varenhorst, entomologist with South Dakota State University Extension.
“Snow cover is really good for rootworm,” he said, giving a presentation during a field day at the university’s Southeast Research Farm in Beresford July 11.
Source: agupdate.com
Photo Credit: getty-images-elhenyo
Categories: South Dakota, Crops