 Forage Crops IPM Program
Annual and perennial weeds are considered the primary pest problem in producing silage corn in Vermont. According to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, corn herbicides consisted of 96.8% of the total amount of pesticide active ingredient applied to all crops in the state in 2003. Northern and western corn rootworm is considered the most damaging insect to field corn in Vermont. Integrating cropping practices such as crop rotations and the incorporation of cover crops can greatly improve the management of these pests in corn and possibly reduce the reliance on high herbicide usage. A recent concern to soybean producers in Vermont is the introduction of the soybean aphid. Due to a lack of experience with this pest and its sudden appearance within the past two years, many soybean growers have applied pesticides without really monitoring its presence or populations. Scouting procedures and the use of action thresholds clearly need to be demonstrated before growers feel comfortable in reducing pesticide use in both corn and soybeans.
For the next three years, the field crop IPM program in Vermont will be emphasizing the importance of sound management practices such as plant populations, timely planting, crop rotations, cover crops, weed and insect monitoring, and herbicide and insecticide selection based on need, efficacy and environmental risk. Information will be provided through a series of farm field meetings and winter workshops as well as through articles produced in local agricultural publications and posted on the Vermont Crops and Soils Homepage (http://pss.uvm.edu/vtcrops/). This program will be integrated with other University of Vermont extension programs that involve crop management such as the use of integrated cropping systems to improve soil quality and reduce environmental impact on water quality.
Program Contact: Sidney Bosworth
|
Questions or comments about site content
should be directed to lorraine.berkett@uvm.edu
Send questions or comments about this website to sarah.kingsley@uvm.edu.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative
Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States
Department of Agriculture. University of Vermont Extension, Burlington, Vermont.University
of Vermont Extension and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and
employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age,
disability, political beliefs, or marital or familial status.
|
