1. Coffee Shop Talk Heath Sanders Area Agronomy Specialist
Oklahoma State University
September 19, 2018

2. Crop Updates Dry Conditions/Rain? Fall Armyworm Status
Newly released OSU Wheat Varieties

3. 14-Day Rainfall

4. 30-Day Rainfall

5. Drought Monitor

6. More rain on the way

7. Fall Armyworms Large striped caterpillar ~1.5 inches in length
Inverted “Y” on front of its head
Fields have multiple worm sizes

8. Fall Armyworms Active Flight Pattern Started in the summer
Moths fly from south to the north
Conducive weather conditions
1 out of years
Will be around until first freeze
Generally start slowing down when it becomes cooler

10. Fall Armyworm Damage in Wheat
Can infest wheat from planting through frost.
Populations build during summer, typically infest in late summer and fall.
Larva stage for days
Larva is damaging stage feed on leaves (window paning) and crowns and cause stand loss

11. Fall Armyworm Damage in Wheat
“It seemed like my crop disappeared overnight”
FAW damage often goes unnoticed; the reason is based on the caterpillar’s consumption
93.5% of all the food that a FAW caterpillar will consume in its life will occur in its last 5.7 days!
(from Luginbill ,1928)

12. Fall Armyworm Management in Wheat
Sporadic in occurrence, will occur along field border, can kill seedling wheat
Record numbers of worms per linear ft.
Treat when 2-3 per linear ft are present in INTERIOR of field, and plants are small
Oklahoma State University

13. Fall Armyworms Scout five or more locations in the field
Wheat: 2-3 worms per linear ft, (Active feeding)
Canola 1 worm per linear ft
Grass hay or pasture: 3-4 worms per square ft
Most active in the morning or late in the evening
Scout your fields!

14. Fall Armyworm Management in Wheat
Chemical Control
Numerous insecticides
Alpha, gamma, lambda cyhalothrin, beta cyfluthrin, chlorpyrifos, chlorantraniliprole, methomyl, spinosad, spinetoram, and mixtures

15. Fall Armyworm Management in Wheat
Chemical Control Issues resulting in poor control
Dry conditions after wheat emerged
Small amount of plant tissue covered by insecticide
Continued egg lay well into fall

16. Fall Armyworm Management in Wheat
Cultural Control
Killing frost ends their battle!
Late plantings can reduce threat of damage.
Replanting is an option, but may have needed to change from dual purpose to grain only intentions.

17. Newly Released OSU Wheat Varieties
4 new winter wheat varieties
First time OSU Wheat Improvement Team has released 4 at one time
OSU has released 9 wheat varieties since 2015

18. SHOWDOWN High Yield Potential Performs well statewide
Thrives in a variety of environmental conditions

19. GREEN HAMMER High Yield Potential High Protein
Impressive resistance to Stripe and Leaf rust
Excellent test weight

20. BAKER’S ANN High yield potential Strong disease resistance
Premium milling and baking qualities
Well suited for the Panhandle and north central OK

21. SKYDANCE Can be used in bread and tortilla production
Strong candidate for Organic Production
Performs well in SW OK

22. Thanks!