I was scouting last week in the Arkona and Forest areas. These areas have been affected by the lack of moisture, and there were many soy bean fields with spider mite infestation. There have also been sightings of spider mites on corn as well.
Another observation is the level of insect feeding in many soybean fields. Although the defoliation level in most fields is not at threshold, there appears to be many insects feeding on soybeans including grasshoppers, bean leaf beetle, flea beetle, Japanese beetle and various loppers and caterpillars.
Please keep scouting, so we can control these pests, and not have our yields negatively effected!
Kelley Schroeyers
Beechwood Agri Services
