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Corn rootworm management in 2023

Eastern Iowa farmer Lance Lillibridge expects corn rootworm to be a challenge again this growing season.

“For many years we did not have a corn rootworm problem,” he said. “But then after the derecho in 2020, the rootworms reared their ugly heads.”

The Benton County farmer tells Brownfield he had better success managing the invasive pest last year compared to 2021.

“We took action on those and used insecticide at planting time and then used some at fungicide time to control the adult beetles,” Lillibridge said. “Last year, I felt like we had pretty good control of them.”

Lillibridge says his management plan will be similar in 2023, and scouting will be key. “We will be looking for root issues as the growing season progresses and make adjustments accordingly.”

He says he also plans to use a traited corn variety.