Pests & Diseases

Click here to read Loretta's article "Plants know which insect is attacking"

In another recently published study by Appel, she and collaborator Rex Cocroft studied how plants respond to vibrations caused by caterpillar chewing action.

As our weather continually becomes warmer, insects that have the potential to take profit out of forages will appear. In the southeastern U.S., the three forage insects that tend to get the most attention are the fall armyworm, grasshopper and bermudagrass stem maggot.

Some producers may be trying to decide whether they should apply agri-chemicals themselves rather than hiring a local supplier.

The sugarcane aphid is a new and widespread pest of grain and forage sorghums in the southern U.S. In 2014, the sugarcane aphid infested sorghums in 12 states from Texas to Florida and as far north as southern Kansas, Arkansas and Tennessee.

While hay and forage prices remain elevated, and dairy-quality hay is in short supply

Rain has fallen in many parts of the U.S., renewing forage growth, but unfortunately bumper weed crops are also appearing. Weeds can reduce quantity, vigor, nutrient content and palatability of desirable forage plants in pastures and hayfields.