If you’ve been anywhere near a Northern New York cornfield this fall, you’ve probably seen them – the small, solid-green or yellow-striped corn rootworm beetles.

Northern Corn Rootworm beetles are green, while the Western Corn Rootworm beetle is yellow with distinct black stripes. Populations of both species appear to be quite high this fall with the western type the most abundant, and more troublesome, species.

These beetles pose no further risks to this year’s corn, but beetle numbers this season indicate potential risk to those fields targeted to be planted to corn again next year.

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With funding from the farmer-led Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP), Cornell University researchers are undertaking a comprehensive diagnosis and assessment of the diseases that impact corn and soybean crops in the NNY region.

“The systematic assessment of corn and soybean diseases in the Northern New York region is long overdue,” says Cornell University Plant Pathologist Gary C. Bergstrom. “The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is funding a proactive disease evaluation that will create a benchmarking database as a management tool to help growers maintain strong production and profitability.”

Corn and soybeans are high value crops as livestock feed and cash crops for Northern New York farms. Cornell University estimates the Northern New York corn grain industry alone to have an annual value of $50.6 million. From 2011 to 2012, the value of the regional soybean crop, grown on some 300,000 acres, increased $1.37 million to $5.39 million. NNY soybean exports have more than tripled since 2010.

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Northern New York — The North Country Regional Economic Development Council, bioenergy generators, woody biomass and switchgrass crop producers and processors, trade associations, and universities will be celebrating the first-ever National Bioenergy Day October 17 with a harvesting demonstration, a host of programs at Clarkson University, and industry-only tours at three sites.

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Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) and the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program have announced two 2013 Northern New York Allium Schools – day-long programs to help garlic, onion, leek and shallot growers explore best management practices.

The CCE St. Lawrence County Learning Farm in Canton will host the 10am-2:30pm on Monday, October 21.

The program of speakers repeats 10am-2:30pm on Tuesday, October 22 at the Beekmantown Town Hall in West Chazy.

Read more about speakers and program focus.

Excessive rainfall made 2013 a challenging year to grow corn all across New York State, and chances are good that it affected your corn crop. NNY Regional Field Crops Educator Kitty O’Neil offers suggestions for evaluating your 2013 crop to help planning for your 2014 corn.
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Also see the Nitrogen Management section of this Northern New York Agricultural Development Program website for research results and production tips.