Agricultural News
Threat of Sugar Cane Aphid Infestation Prompting Sorghum Producers to Consider Crop Treatments
Fri, 21 Oct 2016 12:54:20 CDT
Dr. Trent Milacek, Northwest Area Ag Econ Specialist at Oklahoma State University, recently spoke at the 2016 Oklahoma Ag Expo in Norman. Associate Farm Director Carson Horn had the opportunity to speak with him regarding his presentation there on the economics of treating sorghum crops this year with the threat of infestation of the Sugar Cane Aphid.
"Whenever we're trying to figure out when this thing is going to pay to try and control these pests, you definitely have to look at what our yield potential is and what the price of treatments are and then also what the price per bushel is going to be," Milacek said. "What I've found is anything before a soft dough crop stage infestation, we're definitely going to be losing a significant amount of yield and enough yield that the treatments themselves will be paid for by saving that yield and being able to produce more bushels off of that crop."
Dr. Milacek advises producers to minimize their treatment costs by looking at their investment from an integrated pest management standpoint.
"Focus on planting varieties that are at least tolerant to the Sugar Cane Aphid to try to get it down to one application to control the pest," Milacek said. "Then definitely take a look at different treatment options. You may be able to get by with a cheaper application that doesn't provide as long of a control window, because you may be closer to harvest."
Treating your sorghum crop this year comes highly recommended by Dr. Milacek.
"I think every sorghum crop planted in Oklahoma is going to be at risk of getting an infestation of the Sugar Cane Aphid," Milacek said. "So it's definitely a matter of going out and scouting often and being sure that once we get this infestation that we get it controlled as quickly as possible."
Listen to Dr. Trent Malicek's entire conversation with Associate Farm Director Carson Horn about the economics of treating sorghum crops this year, by clicking on the LISTEN BAR below.
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