CROP REPORTS
Scott Graham, Extension Entomologist, Auburn University:
“We’re finally getting into some hot, dry weather, which will be good. People can finally get into the fields and spray herbicides, pesticides and plant growth regulators. Overall, we’re just late.
“Different parts of the state are behind in different things because they just can’t get in the fields. In central Alabama, as we get more into bloom, plant bugs are playing out and stinkbugs are coming in. North Alabama still has plant bugs migrating in and we’re finding immature ones still out there. It’s just a difference we’re seeing between regions of the state.
“The biggest thing we’re seeing right now is an outbreak of fall armyworms. This past weekend, we got reports of pyrethroid not being effective in controlling fall armyworms. In fact, we’re hearing more of it missing them than getting them. I’m sure it’s because we’ve had a season of lots of grass in bean fields and we just couldn’t get in to spray. We’ve been giving them a couple of other options, but I hope it’s just a ‘this year’ thing.
“The only other thing I can think of is that we have seen some red banded stinkbugs being sprayed in the black belt. Nothing too bad, but it’s something to watch for in central and south Alabama.”
Jennifer Bearden, Extension Agricultural Agent, Okaloosa County, Florida:
“We finally had a few days without rain, so we are all out in the fields. I think everyone mostly started out with a focus on peanuts and getting those fungicides out. Now the focus is on cotton. We’re looking at how much rain the fields got and if they need some nitrogen applications. I think most places will probably need nitrogen.
“Things look surprisingly well given the circumstances. There’s a good color to the cotton, not much yellowing. It looks like tomorrow (July 28) will give us more rain, but then we should have several more days of dry weather. Hopefully that will give us the push we need to improve for the rest of the season and have a good end. We just definitely do not need any tropical weather. If that can hold off, we should be fine.”