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Late planted corn at risk of western bean cutworm damage

A field crop educator says later planted corn in Southwest Michigan has just started to tassel and is most susceptible to western bean cutworm damage.

“In that crop, we’re a little bit concerned about western bean cutworms because the moths really like to lay eggs on pre-tassel corn.”

Michigan State University Extension’s Bruce MacKellar tells Brownfield corn that was planted at the end of April is pretty advanced and has missed most of the pest pressure, but about two-thirds of crops in the region were planted later than normal and is at risk. Moth damage is typically most prevalent at the end of July and into early August.

MacKellar says extended dry weather could also cause crop stress as corn heads into pollination. For soybeans, he says as long as rain returns before the end of the season, the crop should fair pretty well this year.

AUDIO: Interview with Bruce MacKellar

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