Farms.com Home   News

White Heads

By Jochum Wiersma
 
Is not the reincarnation of the Detroit rock due the White Stripes but a phenomenon that often can be seen this time of year in wheat fields are they are starting to ripen.  The causes of these premature ripened heads are varied and a diagnostic key can be found here.
 
People of commented that especially the wheat stem maggot is more prevalent this year and my travels to the different field trials across the state confirm this. The seemingly high numbers of wheat stem maggot may be related to the mild winter conditions.  Several insect pests that overwinter in Minnesota have had comparatively high and early populations this year.
 
Incidence will generally be worse along field edges and taper off as you walk further into the field.
 

Trending Video

Adapting to ESA: Mitigation Overview

Video: Adapting to ESA: Mitigation Overview


CropLife America’s “Adapting to ESA” instructional video series is designed to provide clear, field-ready guidance that supports responsible pesticide use while protecting endangered species and their habitats. This is part 1 of the four-part series moderated by Dr. Stanley Culpepper, a leading weed science specialist with the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.

Part 2: Bulletins Live! Two
Part 3: Spray Drift
Part 4: Runoff

The video series is part of a new set of educational tools released by CropLife America (CLA), in partnership with the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) and the Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrotechnology (CPDA), to help farmers, agricultural retailers, and pesticide applicators better understand the Endangered Species Act (ESA).