Elson Shields

@pete_90210 I am skeptical. Excess nitrogen which is highly leachable in Iowa with high rainfall over 40 yrs! If you said a herbicide spill then I am on board

The neighbors tell me this is from an anhydrous gas leak from almost 40 years ago. Notice which weed is the first thing that can grow on that soil.

@SWMNpest Great corn pollen rash! Ich like hell!

Last couple days in early pollinating corn have been brutal. Brown Co. MN low NCLB in sudceot hybrids. Only bacterial blight in soybean. Way early for foliar fungicide or crw.

@pete_90210 Are they at an economic level? Threshold is extremely high especially after pollen shed. Iowa probably has a treatment level recommendation

@Cornell_bugman We’re gonna have to spend some money, aren’t we?

Found a bunch of these pricks on lower leaves in a few different fields. Any ideas on what might be better than generic warrior or bifenfrin that’s labeled for corn.

Biocontrol nematodes “save the day” in another farmer’s field against rootworm

First flight of N822JM, a RV 9A. I started the build in May 2019. First flight June 25, 2026

Rootworm damage on the Vorceed trait. Typical 1-1.5 node feeding where the associated RW Bt is ineffective due to rootworm resistance. Rootworm larvae continue to feed after ingesting a toxic dose of RNAi causing this damage. In general terms, one node of root damage =10 bu loss

Bayer’s prediction about 2026 rootworm severity and farmers using persistent biocontrol nematodes for enhanced rootworm control

Geographic illustration of farms across the US utilizing persistent biocontrol nematodes against soil insects in agriculture. These include rootworms, wireworms, and root weevils

Geographic illustration of farms across the midwest utilizing persistent biocontrol nematodes against rootworm.

Great way to apply persistent biocontrol nematodes against rootworm. A number of acres inoculated using this equipment in 2026 in Iowa and Illinois

In Illinois this week pulling soil samples to test for @PBiocontrol nematodes. Most of these fields were applied a year or longer ago. A one time application to control Corn Rootworm can last for decades!

Add our biocontrol nematodes for a truly independent mode-of-action against rootworm. A single application provides multi year control.

Elevated Corn Rootworm Pressure Projected For The Midwest - AgWeb agweb.com/news/crops/cor…

A few hundred acres of biocontrol nematodes will be applied in 2026 through this machine for rootworm control in corn.

How cool is this!? Did you know that there's such a thing as a 360 autonomous irrigator? I didn't! Now we both do! Have you seen one of these inaction? Operated something similar?

Digging Into the Corn Rootworm Issue - YouTube youtube.com/watch?v=hWSGfT…

Application of Persistent Biocontrol Nematodes to organic vegetables growing in South Texas for wireworm control

Live in Iowa? Curious about Biocontrol Nematodes and their impact on controlling Rootworm? Join us for lunch (on us)

I worked for 20 years in "Big Ag" so you don’t have to. This is what they don’t want you to know: Farmers don’t have time for conspiracy theories. Romanticize farming all you want, but without modern tools, you’d starve. GM crops aren't frankenfood. They cut pesticide use, resist drought, and improve yields, all while passing some of the strictest safety checks in science. They are the least unknown crops. Your food is safe. Period. Pesticides are tested more rigorously than most medicines. Farming isn’t killing the planet. Modern farming uses less land, less water, and fewer inputs than ever before. Innovation is the solution, not the problem. Organic farming still use pesticides. Some are more toxic and less effective than synthetic alternatives, meaning higher doses are needed. If you really care about feeding the world and protecting the planet, focus on facts, not fear. My name is Simon and my goal is to make people smarter, not angrier. Drop a “Hi” in the comments and let me know if you have any questions about Ag!