KTVO, MO
07-29-06
Insects bug farmers
(Agency, Iowa) Area farmers got down and dirty to learn some new things about
their fields.
During a crop walk in Agency, Iowa, farmers learned what to look for to keep
their fields producing quality crops.
Field specialist Mark Carlton from the Iowa State University Extension office
lead the discussion.
He focused on teaching everyone how to sweep their fields for bean leaf beetles,
which is a big concern right now.
Farmers need to keep watching for these beetles so they can spray if it is
necessary.
"I always like to do hands on teaching and that's the best way. You know we can
look at books all year and not learn a thing, but if you can see it hands on in your
own field, it tends to stay with you," Carlton said.
"This is just something to keep us on our toes, to learn from specialists of what
we need to look for in our fields," farmer Clark Yeager said.
Carlton also taught a new method to scout for soybean aphid. As for weather
concerns in Southeast Iowa, Carlton said crops were doing okay.
--Jill Kasparie, Reporting