Latest Crop Report Shows Increase in New Pest – Ag Matters

As if there wasn't enough insects,diseases and weeds to fight on the farm; the latest Fields Crop Pest Report from Cornell Cooperative Extension shows an increase in a new pest in New York.

The latest report shows the dreaded Potato Leaf Hopper population is growing in the Empire State, with some alfalfa fields losing up to "half ton per acre."  And then there is the added issue of a drop in quality of the crop.  Other sightings during field scouting trips included; "northern corn leaf blight and a number of oriental beetles."

But what's getting most of the attention is the monitoring program studying the Western Bean Cutworm.

the potential to cause substantial damage to corn, Zea mays and beans, Phaseolus vulgaris. Larvae feed on developing corn kernels, bean pods and seeds. Larval feeding damage causes direct yield losses and can increase subsequent risk of ear mold issues including infection by mycotoxin producing fungi.

Get the latest news on the cutworm as well as crop conditions in this week's report.

SOURCE:  Cornell Cooperative Extension