Channel Field Check Up Series: Plan ahead for corn rootworm

By harvest time, there is very little to be done to combat corn rootworm other than planning how to manage the billion-dollar pest next season. Integrated pest management practices are key to keeping next year’s corn rootworm larvae from damaging cornfields.

The easiest way to manage corn rootworm is to regularly rotate fields from corn to another crop such as soybean, alfalfa, sorghum or other cultivars.

If the field is dedicated to continuous corn, farmers should consider a traited product or corn blend product containing two modes of action for corn rootworm control.

Be sure to change up your approach to stay one step ahead of this unwanted pest and avoid using the same Cry protein for more than three years in a row.

Corn product selection is a critical component for achieving yield goals. While the selection criteria used for historic product selection are still key, it is equally important to select and implement the proper traits to manage insect pressure and maximize yields.

In Indiana, farmers should consider actively digging up roots and examining for feeding. It will be pertinent to watch from the combine for goosenecking to help plan next year’s approach.

After harvest, talk with your local Channel Seedsman to place the correct trait packages on those acres that may be of concern going into next season.

Channel elite seed products are backed by trait technology from Bayer. These advanced technologies help protect your corn, soybean and specialty crops from insects, drought and other stressors and give you options for combating yield-robbing weeds.

With the help of your Channel Seedsman, you can find the right trait technology for your growing conditions on every farm and field. Visit Channel.com for more information about Channel products and to find a Channel Seedsman in your area.