Planning for seeding 2010....already????

Well, the seed is in the ground, spraying is done,  and the last thing you want to think about is getting ready for seeding next year. Did you realize that NOW is the optimal time to be out checking for wireworms for next year’s seeding season?? Just like going out and checking your field for leaf disease, this step must become a regular part of your field scouting.

Do you have wireworms in your fields? Are you sure? How can you tell for certain?

I can tell you from experience that when I mentioned these questions to each farmer this spring picking up his seed, not one could tell me with certainty if they did or did not have wireworms. I also can tell you that less than 5% bothered to set up bait balls to check to see if they did. The main reason cited was “I am not going to delay my seeding 2 weeks to find out”. Now I am getting reports back from various agrologists who are seeing quite a few fields with wireworm damage in the area. Problem is when it is discovered, it is too late- the damage is done. There is no effective treatment post-seeding that works for wireworm control.

This is why I am giving you a heads up to check for wireworms now, when the pressure of spring seeding is off. But, “why bother to check for wireworms? We never did before” is a common reply. The truth is that wireworm control is not cheap. Having said that, if it turns out you do have wireworms, even a slight infestation will cost you more in yield loss than the total cost for the seed treatment. The only effective way to verify wireworm presence is to place bait balls. The recipe to make them and step by step instructions on the whole procedure can be found HERE. This spring I was convinced that we did NOT have any wireworm infestation in any of our fields. The bait ball test proved me wrong. Out of the 13 fields where 42 bait balls were placed, only 2 fields showed no signs of wireworm infestation.  Click HERE to read about it. If you have any questions about wireworms, drop me a line by email or call me. We are licensed to treat the seed we sell as well custom treat your seed if you require.