Pest Management
Old pest, new problem: Bt resistance in European corn borer in North America (1.0 PM)
Kelsey Fisher, assistant scientist, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station New Haven, CT
Wednesday, 1:30-2:20 PM in Skinner B
Wednesday, 3:00-3:50 PM in Skinner B
The European corn borer (ECB), is one of the most significant crop pests in North America, was the original target of transgenic corn modified to produce insecticidal toxins from Bacillus thurinigiensis bacteria (Bt corn). For more than 25 years, this has been one of the most successful pest management strategies in history with no indication of ECB resistance to Bt toxins. However, the first case of field-evolved resistance in ECB to a Bt toxin was detected in Nova Scotia, Canada in 2018. With subsequent monitoring, additional resistant populations have been detected in Quebec and Manitoba, Canada in 2019 and 2020, respectively. In 2023, the first Bt resistant ECB were detected in Connecticut, USA Therefore, a significant threat to ECB management is on the horizon in North America.
The soybean cyst nematode challenge: Present and future (1.0 PM)
Horacio Lopez-Nicora, assistant professor, Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Wednesday, 1:30-2:20 PM in Bishop C
Wednesday, 3:00-3:50 PM in Bishop AB
Discover how soybean cyst nematode (SCN) adapts and learn the latest integrated management strategies, from resistance rotation and seed treatments to automated sampling. Stay ahead with innovative tools to protect your soybean yields.
IPM 101: The pinnacle of pest management quizzes (1.0 PM)
Ashley Dean, education extension specialist, Iowa State University, Ames, IA; Meaghan Anderson, extension field agronomist, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Ames, IA; and Chelsea Harbach, plant disease diagnostician, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Thursday, 8:00-8;50 AM in Skinner A
Thursday, 9:00-9:50 AM in Skinner A
Join this fun and fast-paced weed, insect, and disease quiz – if you dare! We’ll laugh, some will cry, and we’ll give a few prizes to those prove themselves to be the most superior of IPM experts!
Corn rootworms are chipping away at silage corn (0.5 PM)
Erin Hodgson, professor and extension entomologist, Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA; and Ashley Dean, education extension specialist, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Wednesday, 11:00-11:25 AM in Skinner B
Wednesday, 1:00-1:25 PM in Skinner B
The economic impacts of corn rootworm in grain corn are well documented; however, the nutritional impact in silage corn is poorly understood. This presentation will review research about the economic and quality impacts of corn rootworm in silage.
Out damned spot! Out, I say (1.0 PM)
Alison Robertson, professor and extension crop plant pathologist, Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Wednesday, 1:30-2:20 PM in Bishop AB
Wednesday, 4:00-4:50 PM in Bishop AB
This session will review the National Predictive Modeling Tool Initiative and statewide corn disease management trials done in 2024.
What’s the deal with these weeds and who is this weed scientist? (1.0 PM)
Wesley Everman, assistant professor and extension weed specialist, Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Thursday, 1:00-1:50 PM in Bishop C
Thursday, 2:00-2:50PM in Bishop C
There is a new weed scientist at Iowa State preparing to tackle the herbicide-resistant weed challenges around the state. A brief introduction, how we will address resistant weeds, and what we know about the EPA herbicide strategy will all be covered.
Endangered Species Act implementation in pesticide programs (1.0 PM)
Gretchen Paluch, chief, Pesticide Bureau, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Des Moines, IA and Sharon Dobesh, coordinator, Pesticide Outreach, EPA Region 7, Lenexa, KS
Thursday, 8:00-8:50 AM in Skinner C
Thursday, 9:00-9:50 AM in Skinner C
This presentation will deliver updates and perspectives on the federal and state implementation of the endangered species act in pesticide regulatory programs.
Get the scoop on Asian copperleaf (0.5 PM)
Meaghan Anderson, extension field agronomist, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Ames, IA; and Angie Rieck-Hinz, extension field agronomist, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Clarion, IA
Thursday, 10:30-10:55 AM in Skinner C
Thursday, 11:00-11:25 AM in Skinner C
You may not have heard of Asian copperleaf, but Iowa farmers in at least eight counties are contending with this new species not known to be in any other crop fields in the United States. Farmers often spot this plant at harvest when they find a green carpet under the crop canopy. This session will address what we know about this species, what threat might it pose for Iowa farmers, and what we still have to learn to effectively manage it.
Soybean aphid resistance really sucks (0.5 PM)
Erin Hodgson, professor and extension entomologist, Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Thursday, 10:30-10:55 AM in Skinner B
Thursday, 11:00-11:25 AM in Skinner B
Soybean aphids are periodical pests in northern Iowa but were up in numbers throughout Many noted the inconsistent performance of rescue treatments, particularly with pyrethroids. We share recent efficacy data and documentation of resistance.
Soybean disease challenges and fungicide strategies in 2024 (1.0 PM)
Daren Mueller, professor and extension crop plant pathologist, Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA; and Jose Gonzalez-Acuna, graduate student, Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Wednesday, 8:00-8:50 AM in Skinner A
Wednesday, 4:00-4:50PM in Skinner B
The 2024 season marked a departure from the drier conditions of previous years, with several diseases becoming more prominent across Iowa. This presentation will highlight the key diseases observed in 2024 and explore the latest research on disease management strategies.
SCN management for 2025 in Iowa with emphasis on resistance management (1.0 PM)
Greg Tylka, Morrill professor and extension nematologist, Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Wednesday, 9:00-9:50 AM in Skinner C
Wednesday, 10:00-10:50 AM in Skinner C
Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) continues to be a major yield-reducing pathogen of soybean in Iowa and surrounding states. Availability of soybean varieties with the heretofore uncommon Peking SCN resistance has increased dramatically since 2022. Also, varieties possessing transgenic, Bt-based SCN resistance will be available in upcoming years. And new and existing nematode-protectant seed treatments are additional tools that can protect yields in SCN-infested fields. This presentation will review the above-mentioned management options and discuss how best to integrate and coordinate their use for maximum long-term effectiveness.