Rogan Gibson, Agronomic Crops Agent
After spending lots of money and time getting the seed in the ground, the last thing producers want to see is yield loss due to pests. Pests such as weeds, insects, and diseases can cause crop yield loss. A good crop scouting program can save producers money in different ways. One being that he/she can observe a problem in the field and decide that the problem is worth treating. Or they may choose not to treat it if the situation they are seeing does not pose a threat.
A good crop scouting program requires boots on the ground, either the producers or a hired scout, looking at the crops at least once every week, looking for pests such as insects or diseases that may cause harm to the plants. If there is no scouting program often, before a producer notices a problem, the damage is already done. The figure below shows a peanut field in Hampton County that had a severe problem with armyworms, and by the time it was noticed, the damage was done, and their life cycle was complete. Timing and weather patterns can also be helpful tools during scouting, as they help determine if the conditions are right for a pest outbreak in a field. Also, keeping up with what neighboring producers and states are encountering, knowing what is out there already and what could move on to your farm.
Dr. Jermery Greene, Clemson’s Entomologist, has a weekly newsletter as he works closely with the county agents, reporting on what insects affect cotton or soybean crops across the state. Many more weekly email newsletters are sent out by crop specialists and county agents, updating producers on what pests have already been encountered throughout the state. If you are interested in learning more about scouting crops, contact your local extension office, as there are usually a handful of in-field scouting workshops across the state, allowing producers and scouts to gain more in-field scouting information.
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.
