How can we reduce the risk of head scab in our wheat? There are a few things we can do before wheat planting season to reduce the risk of scab or Fusarium Head Blight (FHB), which produces vomitoxin in wheat and barley in the spring. Tip #1: Plant Varieties with Resistance This is the most cost-effective and ...| smallgrains.ces.ncsu.edu
Disaster Risk Management Training – Central NC: Two-Part Workshop Series to Support Producers Across Central North Carolina Farmers across North Carolina’s Piedmont region will have the opportunity this fall to strengthen their operations through a special two-part Disaster Risk Management Training. The workshops are open to producers of all varieties and will take place at the Durham ...| durham.ces.ncsu.edu
Light and pheromone traps are tools that help us know when certain insects are active in crops like cotton, peanuts, and soybeans. Light traps use a black light to attract insects at night. They work well for some species, like asiatic garden beetle, corn earworm, and green stink bug, but not as well for others, like ...| soybeans.ces.ncsu.edu
The 2025 NC Cotton Field Day is now less than a month away, and we have full schedule of new research to showcase. The field day is scheduled for Thursday, September 11th, 2025, at the Upper Coastal Plains Research Station in Rocky Mount (2811 Nobles Mill Pond Rd, Rocky Mount NC 27801). This event is ...| cotton.ces.ncsu.edu
Light and pheromone traps are tools that help us know when certain insects are active in crops like cotton, peanuts, and soybeans.Light traps use a black light to attract inse … Continue Reading| Cotton News - NC State Extension
As we get closer to harvest, get timely updates on labor, insect control, and curing in Tobacco Connection: Vol 2, Num. 3 (Summer 2025 Update). ...| tobacco.ces.ncsu.edu
Join us for a Lunch & Learn Webinar: Cool Season Maintenance of NC Food Crops a practical, info-packed session designed for growers, educators, and those who are particip … Continue Reading| Durham County Center News - N.C. Cooperative Extension
Several center pivots have been running over the last few days and rightfully so. With temperatures in the mid to upper 90’s for several days now, we are reminded as to why we are never more than 4-5 days away from drought at any given time. Many fields have clearly wilted over the past few ...| cotton.ces.ncsu.edu
We are excited to announce that, following the 2025 harvest season, we intend to recognize the top-producing Corn and Soybean growers in Bertie County with the 2025 Bertie County Yield Contest Awards. The purpose of this effort is threefold: Encourage entry into the state-wide yield contests for corn and soybeans. Recognize directly those farmers who are achieving ...| bertie.ces.ncsu.edu
The N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative (PSI) Extension Agent Network is committed to helping growers solve real-world problems in the field through cutting-edge plant science innovation. Agents in this network leverage their strong relationships at the local level to both drive future N.C. PSI projects and to beta-test technology being developed by the N.C. PSI on-farm. Image ...| onslow.ces.ncsu.edu
As the end of the tobacco season approaches, we’ve had some reports of grasshoppers, budworms, and hornworms in the field. Check out the new fact sheets below for details about the biology, damage, and management of these tobacco pests. Tobacco Budworms Grasshoppers in Tobacco ...| tobacco.ces.ncsu.edu
Pitt Peanuts Today For Pitt County Peanut Growers 403 Government Circle, Suite 2 Greenville, NC 27834 252.902.1704 BEGINNING SPRAY PROGRAMS The arrival of July means that it’s time for Pitt County peanut growers to develop strategies to control foliar and soil-borne diseases. This issue of “Pitt Peanuts Today for Pitt County Peanut Growers” provides information on starting a peanut spray ...| pitt.ces.ncsu.edu
Starting July 1st, 2025, North Carolina auto insurance policyholders should expect increases in their minimum coverage levels and, as a result, the cost of their insurance policies. Session Law (S.L.) 2024-29, which amended Financial Responsibility Act, changed the auto insurance limits from 30/60/25 to 50/100/50. For those unfamiliar with this particular formatting of numbers, a 30/60/25 ...| farmlaw.ces.ncsu.edu
The 2025 NC Cotton Field Day is scheduled for Thursday, September 11th, 2025, at the Upper Coastal Plains Research Station in Rocky Mount (2811 Nobles Mill Pond Rd, Rocky Mount NC 27801). This event is sponsored by the NC Cotton Producers Association, NC State University, N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and several industry ...| cotton.ces.ncsu.edu
Summer is here! Days are hot and long, the nectar flow is slowing down and just about done in some parts of NC, and thus the bees are getting a little more defensive. Make sure to have a smoker lit and the necessary protective gear ready before starting your inspections. Honey supers are hopefully filling up ...| pollinators.ces.ncsu.edu
To help growers determine the potential of management practices for TSWV, we have created step-by-step guides on how to use the Tobacco Thrips Flight and TSWV Intensity Predictor to create Current Year TSWV Risk Assessments and Historical TSWV Predictions. Growers are strongly encouraged to create their own models using the information from their fields and season dates to plan for Tomato Spotted Wilt ...| tobacco.ces.ncsu.edu
Across the state we have seen some pale patches in wheat fields. This article describes some of the more common causes of these patches, and whether or not we should be concer … Continue Reading| Small Grains News - NC State Extension
Current Situation in North CarolinaCorn is currently at the tasseling and silking stages across the state, which is typically the time when fungicides are applied to manage fo … Continue Reading| Corn News - NC State Extension
Early this week, I got together with Drs. Tom Barber (University of Arkansas) and Jason Bond (Mississippi State University) for a discussion on Italian ryegrass management. You can access the podcast episode at Weeds AR Wild Podcast S3 Ep19. Multiple-herbicide resistant Italian ryegrass infesting a field in the southern piedmont of North Carolina. ...| cotton.ces.ncsu.edu
Science for Success, a national team of soybean extension specialists led by Dr. Rachel Vann, NC State’s Soybean Extension Specialist, held a 2023 webinar series for soybean producers. The content was focused on new research and materials that we have recently released. Each event included 30 minutes of farmer Q&A. The recordings are listed below: March 17, ...| soybeans.ces.ncsu.edu
Did you know that you can cook at home with North Carolina wheat? North Carolina farmers harvest over 1 billion pounds of wheat each year. If you would like to make pizza at home using North Carolina grown wheat, we have an easy recipe for you! NC State Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, Andrea Sherrill, demonstrates ...| smallgrains.ces.ncsu.edu
Stripe rust has appeared in eastern North Carolina. It was found April 17th in field plots of DG Shirley in Perquimans County. Additionally it has been identified in Sampson C … Continue Reading| Small Grains News - NC State Extension
by D. Reisig, A. Post, and Ryan HeinigerHessian fly is a serious pest of North Carolina wheat. A description of its life cycle and management strategies is available, with a s … Continue Reading| Small Grains News - NC State Extension
EPA just issued an existing stocks order for Engenia, Tavium, and XtendiMax, previously labeled for use in dicamba-tolerant cotton and soybean. This order authorizes limited s … Continue Reading| Small Grains News - NC State Extension
A Federal district court in Arizona issued an order on February 6 to vacate labels for Engenia, Tavium, and XtendiMax. Many will panic in response to this news and scramble to … Continue Reading| Small Grains News - NC State Extension
Planting a crop requires substantial up-front investment, yet the farmer will not know how much they will earn until the crop is sold. If the price can be set in advance, then … Continue Reading| Small Grains News - NC State Extension
Knowing our customers is one of the most important aspects of marketing, even in grain crops.The NC Small Grain Growers Association funded a 2-year research project to learn m … Continue Reading| Small Grains News - NC State Extension
Concerned about falling grain prices? There are a few ways to lock-in a future price for your crop before it has been harvested. A forward price contract with a nearby elevato … Continue Reading| Small Grains News - NC State Extension
Did you know that you can cook at home with North Carolina wheat?North Carolina farmers grow the type of wheat that is best for baking cookies. If you would like to make homem … Continue Reading| Small Grains News - NC State Extension
On March 17, 2023 the Science for Success team held the first webinar in our three-part series “Keys to Early Season Soybean Success”. This webinar answered theque … Continue Reading| Small Grains News - NC State Extension
Cereal leaf beetle growth and population development can be tracked using a simple temperature-based model. Based on the temperatures in Salisbury, NC, this week (March 5-11, … Continue Reading| Small Grains News - NC State Extension
Sometimes the things we fear most happen. For a corn farmer the thing they fear most is a prolonged drought during the silking stage of corn development. It is not uncommon to see this occur in a given region of North Carolina but it is rare when it happens statewide. After weeks without appreciable precipitation ...| corn.ces.ncsu.edu
Across the state we have seen some pale patches in wheat fields. This article describes some of the more common causes of these patches, and whether or not we should be concerned about grain quality in those fields. There are three common causes of these patches in 2024: Take-all, Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus, and Fusarium head ...| smallgrains.ces.ncsu.edu
Its been one month since the launch of Root Cause Reports!From seedling diseases to deer damage and stink bugs, weve been tracking and sharing real-time crop issues from acros … Continue Reading| Corn News - NC State Extension
Are the spots circular with tan centers and purple to dark brown margins, possibly surrounded by yellow halos? Yes Go to 2 No Go to 4Are the lesions small, numerous, evenl … Continue Reading| Corn News - NC State Extension
With such a wet May, yall are probably seeing an uptick in leaf spots on corn, but theres no need for concern. Its likely holcus leaf spot, a minor bacterial disease that typi … Continue Reading| Corn News - NC State Extension
The corn leafhopper (Dalbulus maidis) is a pest of corn that typically lives in warm places, such as areas near the coast in the southern United States. However, in 2024, it m … Continue Reading| Corn News - NC State Extension
Commercially available foliar fungicides (Table 1) were evaluated for their impact on disease and yield responses. Under favorable conditions for disease development (i.e., we … Continue Reading| Corn News - NC State Extension
Springs here, and with it the need to look out for wheat and barley diseases. Here are two tools to help us monitor disease risk and, if necessary, choose a fungicide.Fungicid … Continue Reading| Corn News - NC State Extension
Every year, entomologists from theNational Cotton States Arthropod Pest Management Working Groupare polled on insecticide efficacy. This group consists ofuniversity Extension … Continue Reading| Corn News - NC State Extension
Bt corn growers are required to plant 20% of their total corn acres to non-Bt corn for resistance management. An important question is do growers lose yield on the 20% of the … Continue Reading| Corn News - NC State Extension
Damage from Fungal Infections and Ear RotDrought can significantly impact corn production in several ways. Early-season drought can cause stunting, poor nodal root systems, re … Continue Reading| Corn News - NC State Extension
While we are seeing more rain, the drought has turned green corn plants into various shades of yellow and brown. However, there are a few other colors you may see in a field. … Continue Reading| Corn News - NC State Extension
As I mentioned in a soybean article,corn earworms are early this year, populations are high, and moths are flying. A lot of growers, curious about how their corn might have po … Continue Reading| Corn News - NC State Extension
Article by Alexis Alsdorf, NC State Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology PhD student Helicoverpa zea (corn earworm or bollworm) is a common pest that feeds on many crops, including corn and cotton, across the United States. Over time, this pest has become resistant to some of the Bt corn and cotton traits that are supposed ...| corn.ces.ncsu.edu
As cotton starts to square, it’s time for growers to check their fields every week for tarnished plant bugs. These pests can hurt your yield, especially early in the season. If we protect the first squares, we can help the crop grow faster and make more cotton in the end. Don’t spray too early. Spraying when ...| cotton.ces.ncsu.edu
With TSWV showing up in more fields this season, Lorena Lopez and I pulled together a quick factsheet on Tomato spotted wilt virus and thrips management in tobacco.Check it ou … Continue Reading| Tobacco Growers Information News - NC State Extension
To help growers determine the potential of management practices for TSWV, we have created step-by-step guides on how to use theTobacco Thrips Flight and TSWV Intensity Predict … Continue Reading| Tobacco Growers Information News - NC State Extension
Layby is around the corner! Get timely updates onweed, sucker, disease, and insect control in Tobacco Connection: Vol 2, Num. 2 (Spring 2025 Update).| Tobacco Growers Information News - NC State Extension
Farm sussession and transition can seem overwhelming but is definitley doable when taken in little bites and with facilitation, if that is needed. Here are two events in NC FarmLinks network that might interest landowners and their relatives. June 25 Orange County Are you interested in planning for your property or farm’s future and the potential to protect ...| ncfarmlink.ces.ncsu.edu
Quite a few folks have been wondering about thrips applications, as cotton is still going into the ground, some growers are thinking about a second spray, and we’ve had cool rainy weather impeding cotton growth. We also collected some helpful data in 2024 from Lewiston-Woodville (Peanut Belt Research Station) simulating rainfall. Some considerations: – In the northeast, ...| cotton.ces.ncsu.edu
To help growers determine the potential of management practices for TSWV, we have created step-by-step guides on how to use the Tobacco Thrips Flight and TSWV Intensity Predictor to create Current Year TSWV Risk Assessments and Historical TSWV Predictions. Growers are strongly encouraged to create their own models using the information from their fields and season dates to plan for Tomato Spotted Wilt ...| tobacco.ces.ncsu.edu
Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) is one of the most persistent and easily spread viruses in tobacco. Here’s what you need to know and how to manage it effectively..tmv-box-gre … Continue Reading| Tobacco Growers Information News - NC State Extension
To help growers determine the potential of management practices for TSWV, we have created step-by-step guides on how to use theTobacco Thrips Flight and TSWV Intensity Predict … Continue Reading| Tobacco Growers Information News - NC State Extension
Keith Edmisten & Guy CollinsExtension Cotton SpecialistsThe lowest soil temperature recorded last night at Rocky Mount was 71 F. and ranged from 64 to the lower to mid-70s … Continue Reading| Cotton News - NC State Extension
With planters rolling, we urge growers to think about thrips management now.This article will cover 1) the Thrips Infestation Predictor and 2) insecticide management best prac … Continue Reading| Cotton News - NC State Extension
The Thrips Infestation Predictor for Cotton is now working correctly.This follow up articledetails how to use best this tool.| Cotton News - NC State Extension
Keith Edmisten & Guy CollinsExtension Cotton SpecialistsThe lowest soil temperature recorded last night at Rocky Mount was 64.5F, while the highest soil temperature was 81 … Continue Reading| Cotton News - NC State Extension
The NC State University Thrips Infestation Predictor for Cotton is currently experiencing technical issues and is not forecasting thrips risk accurately.This tool relies on we … Continue Reading| Cotton News - NC State Extension
We’ve been getting quite a few calls lately with growers asking if starter or pop-up fertilizer is essential for cotton, or if it can be cut out of the budget. This is a … Continue Reading| Cotton News - NC State Extension
To date, the NCDA & CS Cotton Seed Quality Testing Program has received over 200 official samples with more coming in as we approach planting season. This program continue … Continue Reading| Cotton News - NC State Extension
This is the time of year when seed quality discussions tend to begin. The NCDA & CS Cotton Seed Quality Testing Program continues to serve as a valuable tool for growers. … Continue Reading| Cotton News - NC State Extension
With low cotton prices, growers are rightly looking to reduce the cost of production. This previous article details why growers should not skimp on mite and insect pest manage … Continue Reading| Cotton News - NC State Extension
With cotton prices down, many growers are looking for ways to cut production costs. This article emphasizes the importance of staying diligent in scouting and treating mite an … Continue Reading| Cotton News - NC State Extension
Pests can impact cotton at all stages of growth, requiring careful management based on the fields disease history and pest pressure. During the seedling stage, nematodes and i … Continue Reading| Cotton News - NC State Extension
Glyphosate has long been a cornerstone herbicide for weed control across a range of cropping systems. However, its widespread use has also brought increased legal scrutiny. Under pressure from ongoing lawsuits, Bayer has announced it may halt glyphosate production unless it receives legal protection. Given this possibility, Derek Washburn, Farm Management Extension Associate, and I ...| cotton.ces.ncsu.edu
We want to inform you that the Tobacco Thrips Flight and TSWV Intensity Predictor tool is currently experiencing technical issues. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. At this time, we recommend that growers do not use the tool until further notice. We will provide an update as soon as the tool is fully ...| tobacco.ces.ncsu.edu
To help growers determine the potential of management practices for TSWV, we have created step-by-step guides on how to use theTobacco Thrips Flight and TSWV Intensity Predict … Continue Reading| Tobacco Growers Information News - NC State Extension
In response to ADM in Kershaw’s pending closure we have developed a list and map of alternative soybean buyers for NC soybean farmers. The NC Soybean Producers Association has provided a current list of soybean buyers in North Carolina. NC State Extension’s IT department used the list to make an interactive map of locations and details ...| soybeans.ces.ncsu.edu
Check out the Tobacco Connection: Vol 2, Num. 1 (Spring 2025 Crop Update), in preparation for this year’s planting season! ...| tobacco.ces.ncsu.edu
Eastern North Carolina farmers and farm families are invited to participate in the NC Farm Succession School, a full-day workshop designed to help you plan for your farms futu … Continue Reading| NC FarmLink News - NC State Extension
Once every five years, the USDA conducts a comprehensive census for agriculture. Those data are analyzed and then released about 14 months later. Shortly afterward, the USDA r … Continue Reading| NC FarmLink News - NC State Extension
Below is a recording of the Small Farm Bootcamp Webinar which was presented on April 2nd, 2024. The Small Farm Bootcamp is an educational program of N.C. Cooperative Extension … Continue Reading| NC FarmLink News - NC State Extension
Farmers and farm families across North Carolina are invited to take part in the NC Farm Succession School, a full-day workshop focused on helping farm families plan for the fu … Continue Reading| Jackson County Center News - N.C. Cooperative Extension
Due to the potential for inclement weather this week, NOTICE is hereby given that Tobacco Associates’ check-off referendum has been rescheduled to Wednesday, February 26, 2025 in each flue-cured tobacco producing county in North Carolina. Flue-cured tobacco growers will vote on continuing their support of export promotion and expansion for US flue-cured tobacco by Tobacco Associates, Inc. ...| tobacco.ces.ncsu.edu
Farmers, agronomists and researchers are invited to Science for Success’ national webinar series Soybean Resilience Blueprint: Adapting to Climate, Cost, and Change. This webinar series will tackle some of the biggest challenges in soybean production: the ever changing environmental and economic landscape. Hear from experts on these production challenges and potential solutions. Each webinar will ...| soybeans.ces.ncsu.edu
Join us on December 19th at 9:00 a.m. for a flue-cured tobacco variety webinar! This event is hosted by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Services in Johnston and Wilso … Continue Reading| Tobacco Growers Information News - NC State Extension
Tropical storms and hurricanes are unfortunate events that are sometimes experienced by people living in North Carolina. Informed decisions must be made in the days before and … Continue Reading| Tobacco Growers Information News - NC State Extension
August 23rd, 2024-In the wake of Tropical Storm Debby, many individuals throughout the tobacco supply chain have asked what the impact will be moving forward. While it is too … Continue Reading| Tobacco Growers Information News - NC State Extension
The 2024 growing season continues to present challenges, this time in the form of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Debby.This is a rather interesting (and concerning) system because i … Continue Reading| Tobacco Growers Information News - NC State Extension
May 18thTransplanting progress has significantly slowed over the past two weeks due to heavy rainfall. Since May 1st, tobacco research stations in Kinston, Rocky Mount, Clayto … Continue Reading| Tobacco Growers Information News - NC State Extension
A field trial was conducted at the Upper Coastal Plains Research Station in Rocky Mount, NC, to evaluate different fungicide programs for managing target spot in tobacco. The study was set up using a randomized complete block design with four replications to ensure reliable results. Each plot was 14.7 feet wide and 50 feet long, ...| tobacco.ces.ncsu.edu
Managing black shank disease in tobacco remains a critical challenge for growers, especially in areas with a history of the disease. To help identify the most effective fungic … Continue Reading| NC State Extension News
There will be an in-person pesticide license exam at the Ponzer Community Building on January 13th at 1:00 p.m. All exams, including the new commodity fumigation exam will be available. (see below for more information) Registration is required. Payment will be taken on the day of the exam in the form of a check or money order ...| hyde.ces.ncsu.edu
Folks, I have seen a lot of southern root knot nematode (RKN) damage in soybeans over the past month or so! In most cases I am also seeing southern blight in the areas damaged by nematodes. The nematodes have wounded the plants creating an environment for additional pathogens to thrive. Southern blight does not cause significant yield loss and it ...| hyde.ces.ncsu.edu
All soybean producers are invited to a hands-on field day on indeterminate versus determinate growth habits of soybean. Dr. Rachel Vann will show us the differences in growth habits and how to best manage our soybean crop at different stages. September 10, 2024 Piedmont Research Station, Salisbury, NC 8:00 a.m. – Biscuits and coffee 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. – ...| soybeans.ces.ncsu.edu
(Adapted from: US Wheat & Barley Scab Initiative) It’s time to start preparing for winter small-grain planting. Here are some planting tips to aid in managing Fusarium head blight (FHB), also known as head scab. Tip #1: Plant wheat and barley varieties with some resistance Disease management should start with variety selection, as it’s your best bet for ...| smallgrains.ces.ncsu.edu
Pod feeding like this is a sure sign that corn earworm was present. For many years, corn earworm has been the top pest in North Carolina soybeans in terms of cost of control and losses. Corn earworm is primarily a later-season pest and more common in later-planted soybean. The reason for this is that local populations ...| soybeans.ces.ncsu.edu