Summer has officially arrived and nutrient deficiencies and pests are now a problem in many fields.  Healthy plants have fewer problems with disease and insects, according to soil specialist Jim Hoorman, so optimum plant nutrition is important for keeping pests at bay and optimizing crop yields. 

While there have been no officially documented cases of resistance to dicamba or glufosinate in waterhemp, there have been multiple instances where a lack of complete control have been observed. A recent study by the University of Missouri shows that using reduced rates of the herbicides leads to an increase in survival.

Wheat harvest date could impact both grain yield and quality. Delaying wheat harvest puts the crop at risk for increased disease, lodging, sprouting, harvest loss, and grain contamination with mycotoxins, says Ohio State University Extension.

South Dakota State University Extension shares some insight on reports of alfalfa fields with a white or light-brown canopy of alfalfa.

The number of insect species on your farm directly correlates with profits, according to Ecdysis Foundation director, Jonathan Lundgren. This idea of increasing insect life to benefit agricultural operations is paying off for producer Bryan Jorgensen, partner and chief agronomy operations officer at Jorgensen Land & Cattle, says the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition.

Canada thistle has been a consistent threat to crop production and perennial habitats since its introduction to the state in the late 1800s. While fall is typically the best time to manage this weed species, late spring, when Canada thistle plants are in the bud or early bloom stage, is a close second for providing consistent herbicidal control, says Iowa State University Extension.

AGCO announced it has entered into a proof of concept (PoC) collaboration agreement with Robert Bosch GmbH, BASF Digital Farming and Raven Industries Inc., with the objective of evaluating targeted spraying technology to make the application of crop protection products more effective and efficient by reducing crop input costs while driving farm and environmental sustainability.