Don’t Underestimate Corn Rootworm

Photo caption: CRW larvae on corn roots
You may have noticed lower corn rootworm (CRW) pressure in recent years, but CRW pressures can vary from year to year and location to location. This resilient pest is highly adaptable and can wreak havoc even when least expected. Root damage from CRW is not evident until late in the season, often when it’s too late to fight the pest. If you’re thinking, “Why are you telling me this now when it’s too late to use an insecticide?”, it’s because you can take action this season to help maximize next year’s crop.
How? It’s simple. This summer, monitor and document your insect pressure. Where you have adult corn rootworm beetles will be a good indicator for pressure next year since the beetles will likely go into the ground in that field to lay their larvae. This information will help you determine your management plan for next season.
Using a robust soil-applied corn insecticide is an effective way to consistently minimize the risk of CRW damage from season to season. Force® Evo, a new liquid corn insecticide that will be available for the 2018 season, is designed for growers looking for performance year after year. Containing the trusted active ingredient, tefluthrin, Force Evo consistently outperforms other insecticides for control of CRW and other early-season pests, leading to improved root growth, better nutrient uptake and improved yields.
When used on top of CRW traits, trials show Force brands deliver an average yield increase of 10 bu/A. And even in the absence of CRW, Force brands help increase yield because early-season pests like wireworms, white grubs and seedcorn maggots can cause more destruction than meets the eye.
Bottom line, Force Evo is a risk management decision for peace of mind on every acre.
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