Pest Management

A handy calendar that visually shows the most common insect pests and diseases in Wisconsin alfalfa, includes brief descriptions of the pests.

Use the quick 3 steps in this two-page guide to determine what species of Amaranthus (pigweeds) you have.  The guide also provides information on managing Amaranthus sp., documented herbicide resistance in Wisconsin for Palmer amaranth and waterhemp and a list of additional resources.

Evaluating Corn Roots for Corn Rootworm Damage. A 4x6 inch double sided card for handout.

Field Scouting for Corn Rootworm: An Integrated Pest Management Practice. A 4x6 inch double sided card for handout.

A 2 page flyer about Corn Rootworm Integrated Pest Management.

A handy calendar that visually shows the most common insect pests and diseases in Wisconsin corn, includes brief descriptions of the pests.

This handy one page guide gives a summary of termination options for common cover crop species used in Wisconsin.

Base your decision to apply a fungicide on the presence of disease risk factors and on disease scouting observations.

Guidelines for Insect Resistance Management for Foliar, Seed and Soil-applied Insecticides

Updated for 2020!   The NPM Program and UW Agronomy Department recently updated the Wisconsin herbicide mode of action chart for 2020. This publication provides herbicide mode of action, group number, site of action, chemical family, and example trade names for herbicides currently registered in Wisconsin. The page page of the chart details registered herbicide combination products in Wisconsin including the trade name, active ingredients, trade name examples in the premix, and site of action group.

Updated for 2019!  This publication provides a starting point of reference when considering using cover crops following herbicides in the cropping system. This publication does not replace the herbicide label. This publication outlines rotational intervals for many commonly used herbicides in Wisconsin.

New in 2020!  Insect management in Wisconsin grown hemp is in its infancy stage and although knowledge gaps exist for insects that could damage hemp, this 14 page publication provides some preliminary “insect profiles” based on specimens submitted to the UW-Madison Insect Diagnostic Clinic. As we learn more, these profiles may be updated and expanded.

New version 2022!! Scientists at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service, the University of Wisconsin, Michigan State University and Penn State University have been developing
reliable methods for establishing alfalfa in high yielding silage corn. Based on this work, the following represents our current recommendations for implementing this practice
on farms.  Authors: John Grabber, US Dairy Forage Research Center and Will Osterholz, Soil Drainage Research, USDA-ARS; Daniel H. Smith, Nutrient and Pest Management Program and Mark Renz, Dept. of Agronomy, University of Wisconsin-Madison

IPM techniques can be used to effectively manage corn rootworm populations and to reduce the potential of future resistance issues.  5 page PDF.

Using Bt-hybrids to control European corn borers and corn rootworm has been a key management practice used by Wisconsin farmers. With low corn prices and low populations of both insects, some producers have elected to grow non-Bt hybrids to reduce seed costs. In addition, some growers are planting conventional hybrids because they have markets that are paying them a premium for conventional grain. This summary was developed to provide insect pest management information to growers who are growing non-Bt hybrids this year.

Management of late-season soybean aphid (SBA) populations is complex because of the number of factors which influence population growth and potential for damage. Give careful consideration to each of these factors before deciding on a control recommendation.
• beneficial insects
• white dwarf soybean aphids
• signs of aphid diseases
• cast or “shed” skins
• temperatures within canopy
• wheel traffic yield loss, two-spotted spider mites

Nematodes might be your problem if you are noticing reduced yields in corn and soybean. This publication gives an overview of the problems associated with the soybean cyst nematode and what you can do to determine if they are present in your fields.

New for 2020! Pest Management Fast Facts is a information-packed quick reference that includes information about resistance management; treatment thresholds and scouting techniques for pests of alfalfa, soybean, field corn and small grains; and useful conversions for pesticide applications.

Although there are many species from the pigweed family in Wisconsin, only some of them are of agricultural importance, and within those, there are 2 of special concern: Waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus) and Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri). Waterhemp is common in Wisconsin and has documented resistance to some herbicides. Palmer is not common in Wisconsin but with increasing populations in neighboring states, it is of concern since there has been documented resistance to many herbicides.  This informative card has background information about these two species, as well as a visual guide for identifying what type of pigweed you might have.  This publication is a folded card that is 4 inches wide by 7 inches tall.  It is best viewed as a print publication.

No one will argue the positive impact pollinators have on agricultural crop production. Although several factors have contributed to their decline, pesticide exposure can be a contributing factor. The risk of exposure can be reduced by implementing and understanding the following practices outlined in this publication.  4 pages

Slug Damage to Cereal Rye Seed: Tips for Wisconsin Landowners

In 2017, dicamba-tolerant (DT) became available to U.S. farmers along with three new restricted use dicamba products for use on DT soybean — Engenia, FeXapan, and Xtendimax. Although this represents a step forward in weed management and reducing injury in some soybean fields, it also potentially increases dicamba use and therefore the likelihood of injury to non-DT soybean and other dicamba-susceptible plants in nearby fields. This publication reviews the common ways that dicamba can reach fields and cause injury and how to avoid them.  Printed copies of this publication are available from the UWEX learning store: https://learningstore.uwex.edu/Soybean-Injury-from-Dicamba-P1888.aspx

A handy calendar that visually shows the most common insect pests and diseases in Wisconsin soybean, includes brief descriptions of the pests.

Farmers and agronomists agree that terminating cover crops with glyphosate can be challenging. When termination fails, the cover crop becomes a weed that can reduce quality and yield in the following crop. Due to these concerns, experiments were established to evaluate the termination of the most common cover crops — annual ryegrass and winter rye — using two glyphosate rates and three timings.

Using Bt-hybrids to control European corn borers and corn rootworm has been a key management practice used by Wisconsin farmers since 1996 and 2003, respectively. However, low corn prices, rootworm resistance, low insect populations and, in some areas, markets paying a premium for conventional corn have led producers and crop consultants to question their cost effectiveness. This summary was developed to provide information and options that will assist growers who are considering non-Bt hybrids

Volatilization is one potential method of off-target dicamba movement which can result in unintended injury in sensitive species.  This publication provides background on how volatile dicamba is, factors that influence volatility, stewardship considerations and take-home points for best management of this issue.  Publication is 3 pages, full color PDF.  Printed copies are not available at this time.

Pictures and descriptions of common weeds - PDF

2022 Update!  Seed treatments have been used for a number of years, mostly for protection against seedling diseases. However, there are a number of new seed treatments marketed for protection against a range of pests—including seedling pathogens, insects and nematodes. The purpose of this publication is to take some of the confusion of seed treatments away, giving you a better understanding of what is on your seed. The list covers seed treatments registered in the state of Wisconsin for use on field corn/soybean/small grain/alfalfa seed. 6 pages.