Dr. Rogers Leonard

Owner-Operator and Professor emeritus (LSU)|Integrated Crop Consulting, LLC / (Retired) LSU AgCenter

2023 Abstract - COTTON SESSION - CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE THRYVON TECHNOLOGY IN COTTON: It remains difficult for agricultural consultants and producers to select the proper IPM strategy for the current complex of cotton arthropod pests. In fact, with all the issues affecting treatment efficacy, it is remarkable that cotton producers consistently maintain satisfactory control with available products. Several factors including changes in the pest spectrum, insecticide-resistant populations, novel products with uncommon modes of intoxication, the need for co-application of multiple products, difficulty in post-treatment evaluation of performance, and technology costs must be considered in the final selection of the most effective strategies. The recent availability of the ThryvOn technology for management of thrips and tarnished plant bug is welcome addition to available technologies in the cotton IPM toolbox. This paper will discuss two years of experiences with ThryvOn and common-sense suggestions for technology use on cotton farms during 2021-22.------------------------------------------------ 2023 Abstract - SOYBEAN SESSION - AN AG CONSULTANT'S PERSPECTIVE; ADAPTING UNIVERSITY AND INDUSTRY IPM RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ON-FARM USE!: Chemical control strategies are critical for Mid-South crop protection. The values of specific treatments should not be underestimated as environmentally acceptable components of an integrated pest management (IPM) system. Agricultural consultants and producers use all available information and carefully decide on the appropriate course of action. Action thresholds and pesticide use recommendations for crop pests promoted by Land-Grant University (LGU) extension specialists and Ag Chem industry representatives should be considered guidelines and only part of the decision-making process in a successful IPM program. Numerous operational, environmental, and biological factors interact during the production season and can greatly influence crop pests and the strategies used for effective management. With these factors in mind, this presentation will try to reconcile industry suggestions and LGU best management practices (BMP’s) for on-farm recommendations of pesticide use strategies.