Sorghum farmers in Oklahoma are facing a new threat these days, from the Sugarcane Aphid populations that have started to encroach across many of the Southern states. Although these pests originally were of little economic consequence when they preferred to munch on sugarcane, they have suddenly and inexplicably switched hosts, now targeting sorghum. Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Associate Farm Director Carson Horn had the chance to speak with Bayer chemical marketing insider Frank Ritteman, about these pests and what producers should do to keep from getting an infestation in their crop, during the Bayer AgVocacy Forum this week in San Antonio. You can hear the conversation that Horn had with Ritteman by clicking on the LISTEN BAR at the bottom of this story.
According to Ritterman sugarcane aphids can double their population size in a given field within two days. At this rate of reproduction, these insects are capable of wiping out an entire crop. Ritteman says he has seen some cases where aphids have caused losses of 60 to 100 percent. The good news though, says Ritteman, is that the pest can be managed.
“If you don’t treat for it, it will be an economic loss for you,” he said. “When you budget for your crop, we recommend every grower budget for a treatment and then be prepared for it rather than the upset of potentially not having to do it rather than having to face unexpected expenses.”
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