News

Soybean aphids nearing thresholds in northwest Minnesota

A northwest Minnesota farmer tells Brownfield soybean aphid pressure is at or near threshold levels.

Blair Hoseth farms near Mahnomen.

“We’ve sprayed one field (for aphids), and then we’ve had some in another field. But the beneficials seem like they’ve done a decent job this year, so if we have a little patience to leave them alone it seems like they come in and have been doing their job.”

Soybean aphids have several beneficial insect predators that can help control populations, including lady beetles, lacewings, and damsel bugs.

Hoseth says some small grain growers in the area are having trouble with armyworms.

“And some of them have already sprayed (for armyworms) twice. Planes have been running a lot over our house lately, we don’t have wheat and they haven’t seemed to bother the rye so much.”

He says development is on schedule and expectations are for a good crop.