Syngenta Thrive

by

It’s tempting to lower the bar on weed management when commodity prices are low. But as some soybean, corn and cereals growers discovered in 2025, trying to save a little on the front end can result in an expensive and time-consuming game of catch-up later in the season.

“I think I’d be remiss in not saying that commodity prices were a major challenge for farmers this past year,” says Mark Kitt, corn herbicide technical product lead at Syngenta. “Farmers want to try to manage their weed control costs, but it’s better to invest a little bit more in a strong herbicide program than to try to cut corners and allow weeds to start competing with the crop for resources.”

Weeds By the Numbers

Kitt says Syngenta completed research across 20 locations analyzing how much nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium that 2- to 4-inch weeds pull from soil, which equates to about $15 per acre1. “That’s just the fertilizer dollar impact, not even the yield impact. Early season weed competition can change how the corn grows, causing irreversible yield loss. If a corn plant senses weed competition, it’s going to prioritize above-ground growth to try to outgrow those weeds for sunlight,” Kitt explains. “And that can sacrifice below-ground root development, which ultimately is what the plant uses to access the nutrients it needs for grain fill.”

Eric Palmer, Ph.D., soybean herbicide technical product lead at Syngenta saw firsthand the impact weed escapes had on 2025 soybean fields. “When driving around the countryside late last year, the weed escapes I saw above crop canopies were primarily Palmer amaranth and waterhemp — two weeds that can be detrimental to soybean yield,” he says.

Weeds also take moisture from fields that crops could otherwise use. This is particularly concerning in drier areas. Kitt cites Syngenta research on weed-related water losses that shows 3-inch weeds can remove 1 inch of moisture from the soil in just three days.

“Multiply that across an acre and that’s up to 27,000 gallons of water that weeds are stealing from your crop,” Kitt says.

The weeds that robbed the most moisture from cereals crops in 2025 were foxtails and kochia, according to David Belles, Ph.D., cereals herbicide technical product lead at Syngenta. Even when commodity prices are low, he notes that farmers would like to see new herbicide solutions because many of the existing chemistries for use in cereals are more than 15 years old.

Exploring the Future of Weed Control

Fortunately, exciting technologies are emerging in the war on weeds. Two examples, drone applications and aerial scouting photography, will likely become more prevalent in the future.

“On social media platforms, you may see demonstrations of electrocution-based weed control,” says Kitt. These systems use high-voltage electricity intended to damage plant tissue and suppress weed growth.

There are also emerging laser-based weed control technologies that use camera-guided systems designed to identify weeds and target them with focused laser energy, according to Kitt. “I haven’t seen widespread adoption of these tools,” he says. “However, continued exploration of different approaches is positive. Integrated weed management relies on combining multiple strategies — including chemical, cultural and mechanical practices.”

In addition, breakthroughs in more traditional weed-control technologies are in the pipeline. “We’ve got some new trait technologies on the horizon in soybeans that have shown very good promise in early research,” Palmer says.

When it comes to new herbicides, Kitt isn’t ready to talk specifics but says what excites him most about working at Syngenta is its developmental pipeline. “I think farmers are going to really like what they see coming to market in the next few years.”

In the meantime, Syngenta discovered a way to unlock the full strength of the bicyclopyrone molecule and submitted label amendments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its bicyclopyrone-containing brands: Storen ®, Acuron ®, Acuron GT and Acuron Flexi. “Once approved, these label changes will allow growers more flexibility when building programs to control tough weeds in corn,” Kitt says.

The Best Bet in 2026

Belles, Kitt and Palmer all agree that applying pre and post-emergence residual herbicides in a layered approach will still be your best bet when it comes to controlling weeds in 2026.

Palmer says a lot of farmers, particularly in soybeans, are still trying to control weeds with only post-application herbicides. Whether a farmer uses one or multiple post applications, weeds are simply becoming more difficult to control without preemergence residual herbicides. One key reason is that the target window for post applications is narrow and easy to miss because of bad weather, mechanical issues or any of the other near-daily issues that occur on most farms.

Palmer encourages farmers to use preemergence herbicide applications with strong residual activity, like Tendovo® soybean herbicide, which has shown excellent crop safety and up to five weeks residual control.

“Tendovo has been out for a couple of seasons now, and the people who have used the full-labelled rates have been very pleased with what they’ve seen,” he says.

In corn, Kitt says a good weed management program starts with Storen® corn herbicide.  “If I had a heavy infestation of Palmer amaranth or waterhemp, I’d use Storen at 1.2 quarts per acre preemergence with atrazine, then follow up about 21 days after planting with another 1.2 quarts per acre of Storen plus atrazine mixed with glyphosate,” he says. “That split-shot Storen program is going to be very robust.”

Kitt reminds farmers that it is always best to monitor for weed escapes and that Acuron® corn herbicide is another excellent choice for preemergent weed management. He points to data showing that Acuron outyields competitive corn herbicides by 5-15 bushels per acre2.

In cereals, Belles says, “We’re waiting now for the registration of a label that would expand the use of Talinor herbicide3, which is bicyclopyrone and bromoxynil octanoate, to allow preemergence applications.”

There’s no guarantee that cutting corners to control weeds won’t tempt farmers again in 2026. Instead, experts recommend they stick with the fundamentals and practice the strategies they know will pay long-term profitability dividends.

1Prices pulled from https://www.tworiversks.coop/pages/custom.php?id=19995 on 9/18/25 to calculate the following:

N: 46-0-0 is $29.50 per 100 pounds or $0.295 per pound: (13.4 lb of actual N weed uptake/0.46 fertilizer = 29.13 lb of 46-0-0 needed) then (29.13 lb of 46-0-0 * $0.295 per pound of 46-0-0) = $$8.59

P: 18-46-0 is $46.50) per 100 pounds or $0.465 per pound: (0.85 lb of actual P2O5 weed uptake/0.46 fertilizer = 1.85 lb of 18-46-0 needed) then (1.85 lb of 18-46-0 * $0.465/pound of 18-46-0) = $0.86

K: muriate of potash-(0-0-60) is $23.00 per 100 pounds or $0.23 per pound: (16.8 lb of actual K2O weed uptake/0.60 fertilizer = 28 lb of 0-0-60 needed) then (28 lb of 0-0-60 * $0.23/pound of 0-0-60) = $6.44

$8.59+$0.86+$6.44=$15.89

2Acuron yield advantage based on 2016 Syngenta and university trials comparing Acuron to Corvus®, Resicore®, SureStart® II and Verdict® herbicide applied pre-emergence and at full label rates.

3Talinor is not yet registered for preemergence use on cereals in the U.S.

by

Thanks in part to unrelenting rain and high humidity levels this past season, soybean growers experienced unusual weather conditions that were optimal for disease development. As a result, many growers scrambled to decipher which diseases were in their fields, making quick fungicide applications in an effort to salvage yields.

Two diseases of concern in 2025 were frogeye leaf spot and white mold, as both diseases are adapting to new environments. Once known as a strictly Southern disease, frogeye leaf spot has adapted to Midwestern conditions, spreading north into the Corn Belt and infecting Indiana and Illinois soybean fields.

In contrast, white mold pressure came in early July, moving southward down the continental U.S. According to Dylan Mangel, Ph.D., assistant professor and extension plant pathologist with University of Nebraska–Lincoln, he’s anticipating record yield losses due to white mold.

“This is no longer a disease of Northern states. White mold has moved down and gotten really comfortable here in Nebraska,” says Mangel. “It’s evolving and getting more used to the conditions here. The more they get used to it, the more we’re going to see it.”

Many soybean growers also had to contend with Cercospora, pod and stem blight, and Septoria brown spot. For added complication, this intense disease pressure hit earlier in the season than normal. Many soybean fields applied yield-saving foliar sprays in July rather than August, creating difficulty in finding someone available to spray quickly.

It’s clear that diseases can take a big bite out of profits — stealing an estimated 250 million soybean bushels in the U.S. in 2024  — making preventive fungicides an essential part of yield protection strategy.

Plan Ahead to Protect Soybean Yields

One key takeaway from 2025 is the value of a preventive fungicide application. Some growers often take a wait-and-see approach to soybean fungicides, hoping to skip an application if disease pressure stays low or conditions are dry.

However, the unexpected pressure of 2025 showed that playing fungicide application by ear is a risky gamble. Plus, a late fungicide application cannot reverse established disease pressure. The best way to protect ROI and maximize yield potential is with a proactive approach.

Yield Protection in Wet or Dry Conditions

Whether you end up battling disease in your fields or not, the Cleaner & Greener* plant-health fungicide portfolio can help safeguard your soybean crop. Whether there’s light or heavy disease pressure, these high-performing products cover your bases with proven disease control and plant-health benefits to boost potential yield — regardless of conditions.

Miravis® Neo fungicide can help soybean growers fight back against yield-robbing Midwestern diseases like white mold. Containing the exclusive powerhouse SDHI molecule ADEPIDYN® technology, Miravis Neo combats all key diseases and dominates spots and blights. This next-level control maximizes soybean yield potential and supports overall plant health. In 2024, Miravis Neo delivered an average 5-bushel advantage over the untreated check, beating breakeven in 87.5% of trials.1

Another powerful option for soybeans is Miravis Top fungicide. Miravis Top combines two active ingredients — including ADEPIDYN technology — to provide broad-spectrum disease control against the toughest soybean diseases, including strobilurin-resistant pathogens such as frogeye leaf spot. A combo of high-performing disease protection and proven plant-health benefits helps maintain maximum yield potential.

No matter what 2026 brings, Mother Nature is sure to keep growers on their toes. But this time around, you can be ready. Act now to reserve Miravis Neo and Miravis Top supplies for the next growing season and be one step ahead of yield-robbing diseases.

*No claim is being made herein about the environmental attributes of any product. References to “cleaner and greener” indicate plant health benefits (e.g., less disease and increased crop efficiency and productivity) from foliar fungicides and the visible color of the plants.

1On-farm grower/strip trials (n=8): IA (2), IL (1), IN (1), MI (1), NE (1), SD (1), WI (1). Application Rates: Miravis Neo fungicide at 13.7 fl oz/A applied at R2-R3 soybean. Break-even return on investment (ROI): Application + product cost = ~$31/A / soybean price $10/bu = 3.1 bu/A.

by

Beyond the cycle of seasons, markets and weather patterns, farming is a long-term business. Over time, farmers expect growth — it’s what they do. Like raising crops, business growth requires planning, care and constant adjustments.

Expansion decisions start with balancing opportunities with resources and risk with reward, while accounting for uncontrollable variables like prices and market conditions. To customize the formula for success, every farm operation should define variables that can be controlled, including the why, what, when and how of growth.

Why Do You Want to Grow?

To gain a clear understanding of why you want to grow, define the “why” behind this decision. Maybe you need to grow because the cost of living is increasing. Or a child is headed to college. Perhaps someone wants to join your operation. Or you want to have more influence in a cooperative. You may want a new challenge or to fulfill a dream.

Reasons to expand are as unique as each operation. Validate your reasons with other members of the operation and trusted outside advisors. Growth of any kind requires energy and investment; clear goals keep you motivated and focused.

What Does Farm Expansion Mean to You?

Often, we think farm expansion equals more acreage. But bigger isn’t necessarily always better. Many other approaches can lead to healthy business growth.

  • Diversification spreads risk by engaging the farm in additional markets. Examples include broadening or shifting crop mix, investing in livestock, adding a business (like seed sales), or marketing directly to consumers.
  • Side businesses add a new income stream to the farm. These opportunities are endless. Add a pumpkin patch or event venue. Become an educational farm tour host. Partner with a local restaurant to supply a specific ingredient. Offer pick-your-own flowers. Create and garner a social media platform with a following that attracts advertisers. Side hustles often require significant planning and time, but they can also be incredibly rewarding.
  • Boosting efficiency with existing resources adds to the bottom line, creating growth without adding major assets. This can include farming land more intensively, adjusting management practices like timing to optimize yield, making farm improvements, fully using machinery capacity through customer farming or finding markets for existing byproducts like straw or manure. Given the current farm economy, this may be one of the healthiest ways to grow.

Consider the people involved when figuring out what expansion should look like. Capitalize on personal strengths and skills, especially when expanding to include new partners in the operation. And most importantly, choose opportunities that excite your team, so you are willing to invest energy and resources to make it work.

When Do You Want to Expand?

Once you know what you want expansion to look like, take a close look at the conditions both inside and outside of the farm. Examine financials and assets closely, with business, fiscal and legal advisors as needed, to fully understand what you have to work with and how that changes over time.

With this knowledge, establish an expansion timeline.

While some opportunities, like purchasing that 120 acres next to the home farm, likely only arise once in your career. Others, like selling sweet corn or apples at local farmers markets, can be an annual endeavor.

Understanding farm debt, assets and expected income can clarify when it’s time to make your planned expansion moves. In truly bearish economies, this variable could include learning what factors to watch, like interest rates, so you know when conditions become right to act. Such signals indicate the right time to offer custom planting services, to break ground on establishing a cut-your-own Christmas tree business, or to make a standing offer on a field.

How to Execute Your Expansion Plan

Finally, dig into the nuts and bolts of your vision.

Do the research. Meet with contacts. Adjust the budget. Apply for the grant. Decide how to promote the service. Plan how to manage the additional workload. Protect existing assets.

Growing pains are common, especially when some aspects of expansion end up requiring more time or investment than initially expected. That’s a reason to get into the nitty-gritty details ahead of time. Anticipating potential challenges will help you prepare for and navigate through unexpected issues that arise.

Balance the Equation

As you fill in those expansion formula variables, verify that you have the resources needed to take advantage of an opportunity. Leasing a field several miles beyond your current footprint may not be worth the additional time and fuel needed to get to it. Direct-to-customer meat sales must factor in delivery time and logistics.

Understand the risks you are willing to take, beyond those inherent in planting crops and raising livestock. And always remember that the potential rewards can include more than just additional income. Intangible rewards like stronger relationships or discovering and developing personal skills help offset the risks.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or business advice for your farming operation.

by

American citrus groves are under attack from a range of damaging pests. Among the many threats eating away at your marketable citrus yields, including mites, citrus thrips and leafminers, one looms above the rest: Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), the industry’s biggest enemy.

ACP is an invasive species that attacks all varieties of citrus. It arrived in Florida in 1998 and touched down in California just 10 years later. Females lay eggs within the folds of the citrus tree’s feather flush. All growth stages of ACP prefer to feed on the soft, unfurled leaves, injecting a salivary toxin that causes new leaf tips to burn back.

This invasive insect packs a one-two punch with its destruction. In addition to direct feeding damage, ACP vectors the deadly bacteria that causes Huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening disease, also known as the world’s most devastating citrus disease.

Identify Asian Citrus Psyllid and Citrus Greening

Adult ACP have mottled brown wings and range from 3 – 4 mm in length. Nymphs and adults have a whitish, waxy secretion on their bodies that gives them a dusty appearance. Nymphs are harder to spot but leave behind similar excretions on citrus leaves.

Infected trees may remain asymptomatic and act as a source of bacteria for other trees for months. When trees begin showing symptoms, there can be a wide variety, including mottled leaves, yellow shoots, defoliation, a 50 – 75% reduction in root function, fruit drop and shoot dieback. Infected trees also produce misshapen, bitter, unmarketable fruit.

Once infected, young trees can die shortly after initial infection, while older trees can be killed outright within 7 to 9 years, according to the University of California Integrated Pest Management Program.

Close up photo of Asian citrus psyllids on leaves in a Florida grove.
Asian citrus psyllids vector the bacteria that causes citrus greening.

Control ACP and Other Citrus Pests

While the outlook may appear grim when battling ACP, powerful insecticides can help turn the tide.

Zivalgo™ insecticide, powered by PLINAZOLIN® technology, introduces a novel mode of action (IRAC Group 30) that delivers consistently high efficacy and long-lasting, broad-spectrum control of a wide range of insects, including ACP.

Bar chart showing impact of ZivalgoTM Insecticide on Asian citrus psyllid in orange crops.
Zivalgo insecticide provides control of Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) in orange crops. Trial: USVL0I1022019. Vero Beach, FL; 2019.

Zivalgo is a game-changer when it comes to controlling insects like ACP, mites, thrips and more in citrus crops. It acts by contact and ingestion to cause rapid feeding cessation after uptake. Its formulation remains stable on the leaf surface for extended periods with its rugged durability and rainfastness, giving you more application flexibility. Zivalgo complements integrated pest management programs, providing a robust tool for U.S. citrus protection moving forward.

Bar chart showing impact of ZivalgoTM Insecticide on leafminer in Florida citrus crops crops.
Zivalgo provides strong, long-lasting control of citrus leafminer (Liriomyza trifolii) in Florida citrus crops. Trial: USVL0I1062021. Vero Beach, FL; 2021.

Find out how Zivalgo can help you protect your citrus crops from ACPs, leafminers, thrips and more. For additional information, reach out to your Syngenta representative.

by

Cotton crops are vulnerable to a spectrum of insect pests, including plant bugs, mites, thrips and stink bugs. Scouting for these insects is an essential first step to protect cotton yields, followed by an insecticide rotation program to help keep populations low and manage resistance.

An illustration of a tarnished plant bug shows a clear visual of its identifying characteristics, including the reddish-brown markings on wings.
Tarnished plant bug

Learn to Identify Plant Bugs, Thrips and More

These cotton insects all use piercing mouthpieces to feed on cotton plants, but damage varies based on the specific pest. Get to know the identifying characteristics to make informed management decisions.

  • Plant bugs, also known as lygus, are green or brown in color and have reddish-brown markings on their wings. They use their piercing mouths to feed on tender cotton plant terminals and small squares before they bloom. After bloom, plant bugs begin feeding on larger squares. Feeding damage may cause squares to abort, which can lower yield potential.
  • Thrips range from yellow to black in color. With an overall body length of less than 1/12 an inch, these persistent cotton pests are small but mighty, with the potential to cause yield reductions of more than 100 pounds of lint per acre. Damage occurs when thrips infestations feed on seedlings.
  • Twospotted spider mites are greenish or red in color, according to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. These insects pierce cotton plant cells and extract liquid from the cells. Damage first appears as white or yellowish specks called stipules. Twospotted spider mites also feed on bracts of squares and bolls. Over time, this can prematurely defoliate plants. Extended periods of injury can reduce profitable yields, fiber quality and seed.
  • Stink bugs penetrate cotton bolls and feed on seeds, damaging lint quality and causing the bolls to abort. Stink bugs can transmit disease pathogens that lead to boll rot. When scouting, the North Carolina State University Extension advises you inspect bolls for small, round, shallow and purplish depressions. Other internal signs of damage include small wart-like growths or dark pinprick spots on the inside of the boll wall. Though similar to tarnished plant bug damage, stink bugs damage larger bolls than plant bugs.

Control Tough Insect Pests and Prevent Resistance

For consistent control of these cotton insects, rotating insecticides with multiple modes of action is an important management strategy.

Vertento® insecticide, powered by PLINAZOLIN technology, is an important addition to insecticide rotation programs. Its innovative active ingredient provides exceptional protection against plant bugs and other economically significant cotton insects.

A side-by-side comparison photo shows insect damage in untreated cotton plants next to cotton plants treated with Vertento insecticide. The untreated side shows reduced marketable yields.
In a trial testing plant bug damage in cotton, cotton plants treated with Vertento had less damage than untreated cotton for improved marketable yield potential. Source: Sales Support Trial SyngPB – AR 2022. *PLINAZOLIN technology is the active ingredient in Vertento insecticide.

Vertento introduces a novel mode of action in IRAC Group 30 with no cross-resistance to other modes of action. With increasing incidence of resistant populations of insects, options like Vertento help replace older chemistries to manage resistance while providing excellent control of challenging pests.

A graph comparing the number of tarnished plant bug nymphs in cotton shows that plants treated with Vertento had fewer nymphs per ten row feet than untreated cotton.
In a trial testing the number of tarnished plant bug nymphs in cotton, plants treated with Vertento had fewer nymphs per 10 row ft. than untreated cotton plants. MS, 2020. Trial: USSB0I1042020.

For additional information about protecting marketable cotton yields, controlling tough insects and managing resistance, reach out to your Syngenta representative.

by

Leafy green growers — do you have a plan for Western flower thrips? These tiny, slender pests feed on the leaves of your lettuce, spinach and other leafy vegetables.

  • Thrips puncture the epidermal layer of plant tissue and extract cell contents.
  • Feeding damage results in stippling and discoloration.
  • Cosmetic scarring and reduced crop quality render vegetables unmarketable.
  • Heavy infestations lead to necrosis, costing yield and profit potential.
Detailed illustration of a western flower thrip
Western flower thrip (Frankliniella occidentalis)

Thrips Threaten Lettuce, Spinach and More

Feeding damage isn’t the only threat thrips pose to lettuce crops. The Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV), transmitted by western flower thrips, causes severe damage to crops. To make matters worse, traditional pest management practices are no match for the one-two punch of thrips and INSV.

According to the University of Arizona, the standard management practice used to involve allowing thrips to build up on young vegetable crops before using two well-timed foliar insecticide applications to prevent feeding damage on marketable yields.

Although this method was effective for years, INSV and resistance development have changed the landscape of thrips management in leafy vegetables.

INSV Transmission in Leafy Crops

The University of Arizona found that leafy INSV infections can occur in two ways:

  1. Primary infection or spread can occur when INSV-infected adults from an outside host source migrate into your fields, feed on the crop and transmit the virus to otherwise healthy plants.
  2. Secondary infection or spread occurs when thrips larvae acquire INSV by feeding on an infected plant (either the crop itself or nearby weeds), develop into infected adults and transmit INSV throughout your fields.

Scouting Reminder: Only larvae can acquire INSV, and only adult thrips can transmit the disease to your crops.

How to Control Thrips and Manage the Spread of INSV

The presence of INSV demands a more proactive approach to thrips management to prevent the introduction and spread of the virus in your leafy crops. The University of California recommends an integrated program including selective insecticides; however, thrips have already developed resistance to several available options, leaving growers uncertain about the future.

The answer? Incipio™ insecticide, powered by PLINAZOLIN® technology. Through a novel mode of action, Incipio provides key advantages that can help turn the tide of thrips management, including:

  • Consistent, long-lasting control of thrips.
  • A next-generation active ingredient that works on the GABA receptor of insect nervous systems to deliver control of immature and adult thrips.
  • No known resistance or cross-resistance, making Incipio an important option for resistance management.
  • A formulation that can withstand a range of weather conditions.
  • Residual control to protect against thrips and INSV.
Bar chart showing impact of western flower thrips in lettuce crops treated with Incipio
In a trial testing lettuce pest sensitivity to western flower thrips, lettuce treated with Incipio developed fewer thrips per plant than untreated lettuce. Source: Trial: USWB0I2152020. CA, 2020.

Learn more about how Incipio can help you grow with confidence by preventing the spread of disease-causing pests in your leafy vegetables today. For additional information, reach out to your local Syngenta representative.

by

Understanding pest pressure is key to producing any crop, and brassica vegetables are no exception. Insect pests such as diamondback moth, cabbage looper and imported cabbageworm can cause significant damage to brassica crops like broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage and more.

Defend Brassica Crops Against Diamondback Moth

Of the many insect pests brassica growers face, diamondback moth (DBM) may be the most challenging. Bringing new meaning to the phrase “small but mighty,” DBM larvae measure less than half an inch in size but can inflict serious damage to brassica crops, leading to devastating losses, reduced crop quality and increased control costs. Studies estimate that DBM costs the U.S. economy $1-2 billion annually.

The most sinister quality of DBM is the fact that it has quickly developed resistance to many available insecticides. The Journal of Economic Entomology cites that DBM was able to develop a high level of resistance to chlorantraniliprole within just three years of the chemistry’s introduction. The number of documented cases of resistance for DBM is greater than any other arthropod, earning it the title “the worst insect pest of brassica vegetable crops” by Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

DBM damage can vary according to the age of the crop and pest. Young larvae tend to feed on the lower leaf surface of more mature plants, leaving the upper epidermis of the leaf intact and giving it a distinct “windowpane” appearance. If uncontrolled, it can completely remove all foliar tissue of the plant besides leaf veins.

An image of a cabbage leaf damaged by diamondback moth larvae.
Cabbage leaf damaged by young DBM larvae.

Older DBM larvae prefer to feed at the crowns or growing points of young plants, chewing on floral stalks and flower buds. This can cause severely stunted growth and disrupted head formation in cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. The presence of larvae and contamination in florets will lead to complete rejection of produce.

Despite these challenges, new chemistries can improve the outlook for DBM control. Incipio™ insecticide designed to help growers farm with greater peace of mind and assist with resistance management.

Incipio provides consistent foliar pest protection in vegetable crops, delivering high efficacy and long-lasting, broad-spectrum control. This innovative insecticide introduces PLINAZOLIN® technology, a novel mode of action (IRAC Group 30) that acts by contact and ingestion, modulating the GABA receptor of the pest’s nervous system and causing rapid feeding cessation after uptake.

A bar chart showing improved control of diamondback moth in bok choy with Incipio compared to alternative products.
California trials show Incipio insecticide provides better control of DBM in bok choy compared to competitor products and an untreated check. Source: USWD0I2202021. Modesto, CA; 2021.

Control Additional Brassica Insect Pests

Incipio complements integrated pest management programs to help control other brassica insect pests.

  • Cabbage loopers damage crops during the larval stage. They have a pale green appearance with distinct white stripes down each side and four light stripes down the back. Mature larvae reach about 1.5 in in length. According to Michigan State University, this pest initially chews only the underside of leaves before they eventually create holes through the entire leaf.
  • Imported cabbageworms are most distinguishable by their fuzzy gray-green appearance. The feeding damage left behind by imported cabbageworms is similar to cabbage loopers, but Clemson University Cooperative Extension states that imported cabbageworms cause about two-thirds less damage to brassica crops than cabbage loopers.
A comparison photo shows improved control of diamondback moth shows in cabbage with a program including Incipio insecticide compared to alternative products.
A New Jersey trial showed reduced diamondback moth damage in cabbage treated with a program including Incipio insecticide compared to alternative products. Source: Internal Syngenta trials. Craig Austin. NJ, 2023.

Clemson University Cooperative Extension suggests implementing cultural practices to keep brassica crops free of cabbage loopers and imported cabbageworms. Key cultural practices include managing weeds to minimize protection and overwintering sites for these pests. Additionally, remove and destroy crop residue as soon as the crops have been harvested to eliminate any remaining pests.

In addition to managing weeds and removing crop residue, the University of Wisconsin – Madison Extension recommends scouting crops weekly, especially for caterpillars. Even if no feeding damage is apparent, check for eggs that will hatch into small caterpillars several days to a week later.

Incipio complements these cultural practices as part of an integrated pest management program to help enhance control of the most challenging brassica insect threats.

Bar chart showing impact of imported cabbageworm on brassica crops under various treatment plans, including improved control with Incipio insecticide.
In a trial testing the average number of imported cabbageworm larvae in brassica crops, plants treated with Incipio had less larvae per 5 plants than untreated plants. Source: USNC0I1022020. 6, 9, 14, 20 and 27 days after last application. WI, 2020.

For additional information about tackling tough insect pests, reach out to your Syngenta representative.

by

To keep tree crops healthy from root to fruit, it’s crucial to monitor and maintain soil conditions that provide easy access to water and nutrients. This is especially important for almonds, which require roughly a gallon of water per nut.

Loose, loamy soil is ideal, and taking care to avoid working wet soil will help prevent compaction that could compromise roots. Trees stressed from an inconsistent delivery of water and nourishment will default to supporting their own survival at the expense of the crop.

For example, stress from nutrient-deficient soil can undermine a tree’s microbiome by killing beneficial organisms that would otherwise support nutrient uptake and feeder root growth while fending-off soilborne pathogens. More than 24 hours of standing water can result in a steep increase in disease pathogens including Phytophthora — Greek for “plant destroyer” — a water mold that produces swimming spores to quickly spread its infection from one tree to another.

Adding organic matter to the soil and planting cover crops with strong, vigorous root systems are effective ways to help trees access the resources they need and fend off orchard-destroying stressors.

A close up image of a young almond tree infected with Phytopthora.
Phytophthora infected almond tree. Source: Syngenta. California, 2017

Study Shows Healthy Soil Enhances Yield Potential and Profitability

In a 2022 study of almond growers, the American Farmland Trust (AFT) found that growers who implemented soil health maintenance practices saw a yield increase valued at $46 to $968 per acre based on California average almond prices, and an increase in annual net income ranging from $99 to $1,502 per acre per year.

Not only does healthy soil improve yields and annual income, it can also boost return on investment by reducing input costs like fertilizers, machinery and fuel. Unhealthy soil can have the opposite effect. For example, if the soil is too compact, it may struggle to drain, negatively affecting the return on investment by requiring more inputs for the trees to receive the same fertilization.

Best Practices for Tree Nut Orchard Soil Health

The first step to improving soil health is determining what your soil needs — but it doesn’t stop there. Follow these practices to help maximize your tree nut production through proper soil health management:

  • Assess your soil profile: Gauge tree root health by probing soil near the root line to determine what nutrients are needed. With a clear understanding of the soil profile and health of the root system, you’ll be better prepared to determine which specific amendments will best break up the soil for proper water retention and supplement missing nutrients as needed.
  • Implement cover cropping: Planting cover crops between tree rows in the off-season can pay off in orchard water retention and biodiversity. These crops’ roots help improve soil structure, resulting in greater porosity, water infiltration and drainage, while also supporting beneficial organisms in the soil that help break it down and boost nutrient cycling.
  • Add mulch: Mulching is an effective practice for enhancing water retention and regulating soil temperature. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture levels in the soil, reducing the need for frequent irrigation. It also provides an insulating layer, keeping soil cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, while benefiting root health and reducing stress on the trees.
  • Apply a proper fungicide: A robust fungicide that protects against pathogens and supports overall plant health is a must to maximize tree nut production. Orondis® fungicide significantly reduces Phytophthora propagule counts while also improving root health and encouraging water and nutrient uptake. This is especially important for young trees with developing root systems that are more susceptible to disease.

Maintaining healthy soil is crucial to unlocking consistent profitability and orchard longevity.

by

You already understand the land, history, and nostalgia of your farm — the smell of the dirt, the thrill of firing up the combine, the memories of Granddad’s grease-blackened hands coaxing the old Massey into running semi-smoothly through one more harvest. But could someone else offer insight that would add to the profitability and longevity of your outfit?

Maybe you’ve heard of farm advisory boards from a meeting put on at the county extension office, or in some trade magazine, or from your neighbor down the road who really seems to have things together on their farm. And maybe you’ve thought, “Huh, that sounds like a pretty good idea.” But maybe your next thought was, “How do I even start putting one of these advisory boards together?”

Well, we may not have all the answers about how to construct your farm’s dream team but following is a general outline of what a farm advisory board is and some tips to help you create a board that is tailor-made for your farm.

Step 1: Define your goals by asking the right questions.

  • What do you want to achieve on your operation?
  • What are the weak points?
  • What kind of expertise — finance, legal counsel, succession planning, agronomy, equipment, government regulations — does your farm lack?
  • What kind of commitment and responsibilities do you need from members of your board, and what decision-making authority will they have?

Step 2: Recruit your team.

  • Draw from your pool of resources but also ask fellow producers, industry associations, or extension services for recommendations. While the team should be made up of people you trust, an advisory board could benefit from having members who don’t have a prior relationship with you. Building that relationship and foundation of trust can help motivate both parties to work effectively together.
  • On a related note, consider carefully whether to recruit old pals or family members to serve on your board. While most of the members should be well-acquainted with the industry, some advisers suggest including individuals who can provide objective business perspectives alongside industry expertise.
  • Look for people not only with diverse skills and perspectives, but also who listen well, provide candid feedback, and admit when they don’t have an answer.
  • Consider including professionals with relevant expertise, such as an accountant, an attorney, a financial adviser and/or banker, based on your business’ needs.

Step 3: Set clear expectations and maintain momentum.

  • Early on, establish protocols such as how often you will meet, who will lead each meeting, what the process will be for setting agendas and how to follow through on discussion points.
  • Before meetings, gather your financial information and have a clear agenda so your board can provide the most relevant input. Agenda items should be thoughtful and well-planned. However, it is vitally important to set a time limit for meetings so that agreed actions get taken and team members do not experience burnout.
  • Cultivate an environment where open, unbiased and independent communication is encouraged. Some farm businesses even bring in a third-party facilitator or assign a non-owner advisory team member to conduct meetings to help foster such an atmosphere.
  • After your first meeting, have the next one scheduled before you leave. Many producers find that quarterly meetings work well for them. But figure out what works best for your business and your board and start with that.

A foundation of honest, trusted voices strengthens any business, especially one as multifaceted as farming. When executed properly, an advisory board can serve as a powerful springboard that can help you and your farm take your next, confident steps into a more sustainable, more profitable, and ultimately brighter future.

by

Corn rootworm can devastate a corn crop. The larvae can damage corn root tissue and hairs, affecting corn crops early in the season, and the damage can continue when the larvae mature and emerge from the ground, clipping silks. Root damage from larvae can lead to weak plants, causing corn to lodge following wet or windy conditions, making harvest more difficult.

The potential for crop injury is high long before symptoms are observed above ground. Growers can expect 15% yield loss on average for every root node pruned by corn rootworm. Additionally, corn rootworm control is diminished as resistance to older chemistries increases.

Scout Corn Rootworm

Scout for corn rootworm all season long to inform next season’s control decisions. In the Midwest, corn rootworm is active in the field from mid-May to early September. If you see large populations of larvae or adult beetles, it is a sign that your control measures were inadequate this year and that you can likely expect high pressure again next season as the pest overwinters in the soil.

When scouting for corn rootworm, remember these helpful tips from the Iowa State University Extension:

  • Gather the proper supplies, including a shovel or spade and black garbage bag or bucket of water. Consider using a hand lens as well. Later in the season, sticky traps are useful scouting tools.
  • Expect to see larvae in the first instar stage in late May. This is where a hand lens will come in handy to see the tiny insects.
  • Select a random plant. Dig out the plant and surrounding soil. Hand-sort or use the float test, giving the insect ample time to become apparent. Record the average number of larvae on each plant.
  • When scouting for adults, use either the sticky trap or in-field plant count method. If using the sticky trap method, place traps along the same row at least 165 feet apart. Leave the traps in the field for a week and record the number of adult corn rootworms. If using the in-field plant method, select two plants within 10 feet of each other in 20 random sites and inspect for adult corn rootworm.

Get Control of Corn Rootworm From the Start

Start the season on the right leaf with a robust soil-applied at-planting insecticide to effectively minimize the risk of corn rootworm damage from season to season, especially if you found corn rootworm last season.

Opello™ insecticide, powered by PLINAZOLIN® technology, provides excellent control of corn rootworm and other soil-dwelling insect pests. By defending roots against below-ground insect feeding, Opello protects overall plant health, reduces the incidence of lodged corn and preserves yield potential.

A comparison photo shows healthy corn treated with Opello insecticide compared to an untreated check damaged by below-ground insects.
By reducing below-ground insect threats and root damage, Opello protects plant health, reducing lodged corn incidence and preserving yield potential. Source: Internal Syngenta trial; Location: IA; USNA0I0012023.

With an innovative active ingredient in IRAC group 30, Opello offers growers an opportunity to revitalize their management programs and enhance resistance management. Opello gives growers the flexibility to choose to grow continuous corn acres rather than rotating to a non-host crop.

A comparison photo shows enhanced control of corn rootworm with Opello compared to an untreated check and alternative products.
In a trial testing corn rootworm damage, corn roots in soil treated with Opello had less damage than untreated corn and roots in soil treated with Force® Evo Capture LFR insecticide. Source: USNB0I1152019. Internal Syngenta Trial; NE, 2019. Force Evo and Opello are Restricted Use Pesticides.

Its compatible formulation blends through tank mixing with a wide range of starter fertilizers without specialized equipment to aid in easier application.

Additionally, Opello provides control of soil pests like wireworm and white grub, helping you protect your seed investment from additional underground pests.

To learn more about how Opello can help you manage soil-dwelling insects in your corn fields, reach out to your Syngenta representative.

Force Evo and Opello are Restricted Use Pesticides.