Ag Fax: MidSouth Cotton
By Laykyn Rainbolt and Owen Taylor
AgFax
Plant bug and aphid treatments have been going out, although no one reports huge numbers or widescale infestations.
Spider mites built during those dry, hot days in the second half of June. A few applications have gone out.
Redbanded stink bugs (RBSB) are present at least through the Delta’s midsection. In south Louisiana, multiple applications already have been made in early-planted soybeans, and a few applications were reported in central Louisiana. Initially, this could be trending towards a heavy RBSB year.
Keith Collins, Extension Agent, Richland, Ouachita and Franklin Parishes, Rayville, Louisiana
“Most of our cotton hit first square anywhere from the last week of May to mid-June, which reflects our range of planting dates. Most of the cotton has been laid by and fertilizer went out, so plants are starting to take off. We have a little replanted cotton, and it’s running a bit behind that.
“Our thrips pressure was about normal this year. It was heavy in some areas, but other fields got by without treatments. As far as plant bugs go, I haven’t seen or heard anything yet. As we move into first bloom, I’m sure that will change.
“Our soybeans vary greatly in age. Growers planted the earliest beans in the first week of April, and we were still planting some last week. Location and rainfall amounts had a lot to do with the difference in planting dates.
“Our latest corn is pollinating and our earlier corn is at dent.”
Sebe Brown, Louisiana Extension Field Crops Entomologist
“Cotton is progressing nicely. More is starting to bloom, and we’re picking up the heat units we need. A lot of areas are catching a welcomed rain, with pretty significant amounts in places.
“We’re seeing larger spikes in aphid populations. In the last week the counts have risen greatly due to the hot, dry weather, and they’ve started multiplying in many fields. Applications have gone out, and with a week of rain in the forecast (as of 6/23), a lot of guys went ahead and sprayed.
“More popup thunderstorms begin developing at this point in the summer. So, if growers see a dry window, they’ll make an application where they need it. That way, they can get ahead of things, mitigate pressure and avoid wash-off concerns. They’re really trying to make a conscious effort to save money, especially with these low commodity prices.
“We haven’t seen a lot of plant bugs, but our cotton isn’t quite there yet. Once we really move into bloom, I expect that plant bug applications will increase.
“A lot of our fields are just now at bloom, with the earliest-planted cotton about two weeks into bloom. The mid-April planted cotton just started blooming this week, and the May cotton is in about the third week of squaring.
“In soybeans, I have had a report of spider mites on beans, something I don’t hear about very often. With this hot, dry weather, it’s a concern where the farmer has found them. If the rain in the forecast (as of 6/23) doesn’t knock them off, the farmer will treat. In all the years I’ve been here, this is only the second time I’ve ever gotten a call about spider mites in beans.
“The farmer would just as soon not treat. He’s in south Louisiana, and those growers already spend a good deal of money on applications just for redbanded stink bugs (RBSB). They try to avoid any excess application if they can.
“We’ve already been fighting RBSB really hard in the southern part of the state where soybeans are rotated with sugarcane. A lot of those growers already have made three to five RBSB treatments this year. Those soybeans are planted in March or even late February. Soybeans hit R5 down there first, so those fields are the only thing in large acreage for RBSB to feed on.
“As for the northern part of the state, RBSB are there, but I haven’t heard of any guys making an application yet. A few treatments have gone out in central Louisiana.
“The rain is especially appreciated in the corn fields. Some of our corn is moving into dent, and the most advanced corn is progressing to the point that irrigation will be cut off soon if it hasn’t already shut down in places. We have a great looking corn crop this year.”
Gary Wolfe, La-Ark Agricultural Consulting, Ida, Louisiana
“A lot of plant bugs are around. A little of our cotton is blooming (as of 6/22) and I’m beginning to see a bit of plant bug movement into the field. Plant bugs are running 3%, and we don’t want to let them start laying eggs. We try to maintain a low level as long as we can. We’re coming back with an insecticide and a herbicide.
“With all the rain this spring, we’re working with a very uneven crop – mostly a little end and a big end, depending on what part of the field remained wetter. Fertilizer has gone out, so things are starting to move.”