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Corn rootworm management grows in difficulty

A crop specialist says producers need to utilize all tools in the toolbox when battling corn rootworm.

Kurt Maertens, technical service representative with BASF, says it starts with crop rotation. “If we can rotate in soybeans or a forage crop once every three-to-five years, that’s really going to help break up that cycle of corn rootworms.”

He tells Brownfield the pest is becoming harder to manage.

“We want to make sure we’re using our pyramid of traits and mixing up those traits,” Maertens said. “We also need to incorporate soil insecticides where we can. We’ve got to use all of these tactics because everything we’ve thrown at rootworms, they have been able to overcome. We have to keep them on their toes.”

Maertens (pictured above) says farmers need to continue scouting for corn rootworm throughout the rest of the growing season.

He spoke to Brownfield at BASF’s recent field event near Story City, Iowa.