1. IPM Management Strategies for Field Corn Joyce Meader Cooperative Extension System University of Connecticut

2. Uconn Cooperative Extension Field Corn IPM requirements: Records of past and present pesticides Nutrients applied according to soil tests Apply limestone for proper pH Calibrate pesticide application equip.

3. Pest Management No soil or post emergence insecticides are used without insect level reaching the action threshold; determined and recorded at scouting. Record excessive weed species - before postemergence control - and at corn harvest Choose herbicides labeled against these weeds

4. Protection of Groundwater Identify fields with soil drainage classified: ‘Excessively’ or ‘Somewhat Excessively’ Use herbicides classified as having: low potential for water contamination on these fields.

5. What is an IPM practitioner? A grower who scouts for pests A grower who records problem pests A grower who determines the need for pest control, the safest method, and the proper timing of a control tactic

6. Management Tactics: Preventative Make field less attractive to pests Crop is stronger, able to resist pest attack Remedial Used when economic threshold exceeded Cultural, chemical, or biological

7. Which tactic will you practice? Will depend on damage by pests Resources on farm (scouting labor, soil type) Farming system (cultivation, crop rotation)

8. Weed Management - Preventative Avoid feeding weedy forage: mature seeds can survive ensiling and digestion Kill new weed species with spot spraying Apply environmentally ‘safer’ pre-emergent herbicides within 7days of last cultivation Follow soil fertility recommendations Plant in narrow rows in early season Rotate to hay to allow for early mowing

9. Weed Management - Remedial Plow to suppress perennials No-till to suppress large seeded annuals Cultivate after corn planting Choose post-emergence herbicides based on weed species and least threat to water Spray when weeds most susceptible Kill weeds before loss of crop yield Rotate herbicide modes of action

10. Insect Management - Preventative -Rotate crops to break life cycles -Select hybrids resistant to damage -Eliminate grass or weeds that harbor insects, in fall (slugs) or at least 10 days before planting (cutworms) - Use cover crops to reduce attractive weeds - Adjust planting date to avoid insect - Use an insecticide seed treatment

11. Insect Management - Residual Scout and spot treat according to economic threshold, using environmentally friendly insecticides Consider natural enemies when choosing insecticide Harvest as silage, chopping close to the ground, if European Corn Borer detected