Watch cover cropped fields closely for cutworms

An agronomist says with the expected high numbers of black cutworm moths migrating north, keep a close watch on fields with cover crops. 

Bob Berkevich with Pioneer says many black cutworm moths were caught in pheromone traps by Wisconsin ag officials recently, meaning more eggs and more likely pest problems this year. “They do tend to prefer fields that have that naturally grassy habitat, so with the increase in cover crop acres here in the last several years, those are acres where we’ve seen more black cutworm pressure show up.”

Berkevich says moths are pregnant when they arrive from Texas and Mexico, and farmers should prepare to scout fields and potentially take action.

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