Weather is a significant factor that decides whether growers will face an insect and disease problem. It’s been a very light winter this year with above-average temperatures. According to David Reif, northern sales agronomist for Vive Crop Protection, that tends to lead to higher insect pressure.

Reif adds that cysts are always a problem in soybeans. Corn rootworm could also be very problematic this year.

Kim Tutor, BASF’s technical marketing manager, explains that coming out of a relatively hot and dry season in 2023, many growers in the U.S. may not have disease problems at the top of their minds. However, fungal inoculum are present in the soil and are simply awaiting the proper environmental conditions.

Read more about what to expect from pest pressure this year here.