By Blake Jackson
The University of Missouri (MU) Extension will host its annual Crop & Pest Management Field Day on July 8 in Columbia, where producers can learn about key insect threats affecting corn and soybean crops. Ivair Valmorbida, MU Extension state field crops and forage entomologist, will provide updates on pest activity and management strategies.
Valmorbida will discuss stink bugs, which his research shows are widely present in Missouri soybean fields. He will cover their biology, levels of defoliation that signal economic damage, and control options. He will also explain when producers should scout for their fields, noting that stink bugs are most likely to appear from mid-July through harvest.
Another major topic will be the corn leafhopper, a pest first identified in Missouri in 2024. This insect is a carrier of corn stunt disease, a serious condition that can lead to complete crop loss.
Infected plants often produce deformed kernels and significantly reduced yields, making early detection and management critical.
The event is expanding this year to provide a full day of educational opportunities, thanks to a partnership with the Missouri Soybean Association.
The program begins at 8:30 a.m. at MU’s Bradford Research Farm. After lunch, attendees can travel to the nearby 285-acre Farm for Soybean Innovation to participate in Ag Innovation Day, which will showcase the latest advancements in soybean research and technology.
Register for both events at the Missouri Soybeans website.
Photo Credit: university-of-missouri
Categories: Missouri, Crops, Corn, Soybeans, Education