Scout Crops Now for Corn Leafhopper

Jul 17, 2025

By Linda Geist

University of Missouri Extension specialists are urging Missouri growers to scout corn crops for corn leafhopper.

It was first confirmed in southwestern Missouri in Christian County in 2024 and in Lawrence and Boone counties on the week of July 7, 2025, says MU Extension state crops entomologist Ivair Valmorbida.

The Crop Protection Network reports that corn leafhopper has been found in four states. It also is prevalent in South America and Mexico.

Following last year’s detection in Missouri, growers, crop consultants and industry partners urged farmers to be on the lookout for the pest.

The small, pale yellow to greenish yellow insect feeds on corn and its wild relatives. It carries pathogens that cause corn stunt disease. This leads to deformed grain, loose kernels and short stalks. If populations are high, corn leafhoppers can also reduce yields due to feeding on the phloem.

Source : missouri.edu

Video: A chain harrow is a game changer

Utilizing a rotational grazing method on our farmstead with our sheep helps to let the pasture/paddocks rest. We also just invested in a chain harrow to allow us to drag the paddocks our sheep just left to break up and spread their manure around, dethatch thicker grass areas, and to rough up bare dirt areas to all for a better seed to soil contact if we overseed that paddock. This was our first time really using the chain harrow besides initially testing it out. We are very impressed with the work it did and how and area that was majority dirt, could be roughed up before reseeding.

Did you know we also operate a small business on the homestead. We make homemade, handcrafted soaps, shampoo bars, hair and beard products in addition to offering our pasture raised pork, lamb, and 100% raw honey. You can find out more about our products and ingredients by visiting our website at www.mimiandpoppysplace.com. There you can shop our products and sign up for our monthly newsletter that highlights a soap or ingredient, gives monthly updates about the homestead, and also lists the markets, festivals, and events we’ll be attending that month.