This crop continues to make good progress which needs to happen as we are getting down to the short rows as far as having enough time to mature blooms into fully mature bolls before we run out of heat units. Stinkbugs have been on a steady rise over the past week but are still very spotty throughout the three counties. I highly recommend everyone get out and check your fields, and definitely check before making and blanket application across all of your acres. You already have enough in this crop without making an unjustified application for insects that are not there. I’ve checked many locations this week where they were present in high numbers in one field and another field next door barely had any. I may also find 4, 8, 15, but only 2 stung bolls in an entire field and no eggs. Checking first thing in the morning when it is cool, and they are sunning themselves in the top of the plant helps to find them. Locations next to pasture do not seem to play as big of a part at this time as in years past, I am not sure if this has anything to do with the lack of a bean crop or not. They can be found from Garden City to Midkiff and scattered everywhere in between.

I have seen a couple of incidences of aphids popping up this week. In one case I know of a non-selective insecticide used on fleahoppers that took out all the beneficials earlier and the aphids are coming on strong now. This entire farm has fairly high numbers, but the beneficials are now coming back and getting them under control. In the other, I’m just seeing a few on a couple of leaves. They should provide a good food source for more beneficials.