Agricultural Economics Commons^™

2025 Soybean Invertebrate Losses In The United States, Fred R. Musser, Sebe A. Brown, Tim Bryant, Whitney D. Crow, Jeffrey A. Davis, Christina Difonzo, Ashleigh M. Faris, Chase Floyd, Scott H. Graham, Jeremy K. Greene, Kelly A. Hamby, David Kerns, Janet Knodel, David Owens, Dominic D. Reisig, Phillip M. Roberts, Nicholas J. Seiter, Adam J. Sisson, Benjamin C. Thrash, Kelley J. Tilmon, Adam J. Varenhorst

Midsouth Entomologist

Estimated management costs and losses due to insects and other invertebrates in soybeans during the 2025 growing season were collected and compiled from 20 states to provide a record of insect pressure and management practices for the year. These annual estimates provide a historical record of pest pressure and insect management and have been compiled in some states since 2004. Participating states accounted for 68% of soybean acreage in the United States, with near 100% participation in the southern states. As has been true in previous years, the stink bug complex was the costliest insect pest in soybean followed by …

Can Generative Ai Make Farming Decisions? Current Status And Future Pathways: A Case Study In Row Crop Production With Chatgpt, Nipuna Chamara, Yufeng Ge, Joe Luck, Yu Pan, Saleh Taghvaeian, Cory Walters, Christopher Proctor, Daran Rudnick, Daren Redfearn

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The agricultural decision-making process is experience-based, knowledge-dependent, time-sensitive, complex, and driven by historical data. Planting, fertilization, irrigation, and chemigation are key categories in farm decision-making, and currently there is no one-shot decision-support tool that covers all these activities. Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) models are more advanced than traditional machine learning and deep learning models. These models have been trained on vast amounts of data from the internet, allowing them to accept unstructured data in various forms and generate human-like text, solutions to problems, and scenario predictions. Given this capability, we became interested in exploring the potential of generative AI in …

Ovipositional Behavior Of The Twig Girdler (Cerambycidae: Oncideres Cingulata) On Stems Of Mockernut Hickory (Carya Tomentosa) In Arkansas, R. Tumlison, L. Serviss

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

The Twig Girdler (Cerambycidae: Oncideres cingulata) is a long-horned beetle that girdles stems of certain species of trees to prepare a habitat for its offspring. The stems eventually die, break, and fall from the tree, but the beetle usually had already laid its eggs within the stems. Eggs are laid singly, almost always at growth rings or leaf bases. Because the space for the young to develop is finite, laying too many eggs could cause reproductive failure and too few eggs would be suboptimal. We hypothesized that the female laying eggs should be able to evaluate the stem and …

An Intensified Cereal Push-Pull System Reduces Pest Infestation And Confers Yield Advantages In High-Value Vegetables, Frank Chidawanyika, Evanson R. Omuse, Lavender O. Agutu, Jimmy O. Pittchar, Dickens Nyagol, Zeyaur R. Khan

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Crop diversification is associated with ecosystem services that can improve yield. We integrated tomatoes and kales within the cereal push-pull technology (PPT), to form the vegetable integrated push-pull (VIPP), and explored the influence of these cropping systems on pest and disease management, and subsequent yield of the vegetables. Aphids and diamondback moths (DBM), the major pests in kale production, together with grasshoppers were consistently lower in the VIPP plots. Low incidences and damage by leafminers, whiteflies and fruitflies on tomatoes were observed in VIPP plots compared to plots of tomato intercropped with maize (control). The severity of black rot and …

Letter From The Faculty Editor, Beth Kegley

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Contents, Discovery Editors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Discovery: The Student Journal Of Dale Bumpers College Of Agricultural, Food And Life Sciences - Volume 26 2025, Several Authors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Letter From The Dean, Jeff Edwards

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Featured Faculty Mentor/Student Team, Kelly Loftin, Eva Berryhill

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Instructions For Authors, Discovery Editors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Lupin Root Diseases - Diagnosis And Management, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Root, hypocotyl and stem base diseases can be significant problems in lupin crops, reducing stand density, plant vigour and yield. Root disease is present in nearly all narrow leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) paddocks but in the majority of paddocks has only a small impact on crop development. However, in paddocks where high levels of root rot occurs, plant establishment, seedling vigour and crop yield can be significantly affected.

When a root disease is present in a crop very little can be done to manage it in that cropping season. It is therefore vital that the cause is correctly identified to …

Insect Pests And Their Management In Oats, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Field pests

Damage from invertebrate pests is generally not a major factor for oat crops, however there is a zero tolerance to live pests in export hay.

Significant damage can occur if pest populations build up. Planning rotations to minimise pest carryover, timely sowing, adequate crop nutrition, and good control of weed and root diseases will assist in reducing the likelihood of crop damage by insect pests. Check crops regularly throughout their growth for field insects.

• Control redlegged earth mite and lucerne flea during the seedling stage if necessary.

• Aphids should be checked for and controlled from flag …

Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus And Its Management In Lupins, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) is an aphid-transmitted virus that commonly causes necrotic symptoms that kills lupin plants when infected early before pod set. When plants are infected after pod set, black pods develop (known as black pod syndrome).

BYMV is found predominantly in high rainfall areas of the Western Australian (WA) grainbelt. This page outlines the symptoms, diagnosis, factors favouring disease risk and spread, yield and quality impacts, and management for BYMV in lupin crops in WA

Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus And Wheat Curl Mite And Their Management, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) is a seed and mite-borne virus that infects wheat, causing severe leaf symptoms and reduced yields. The symptoms and damage are more severe in wheat than other hosts, in which infection is symptomless.

Wheat streak mosaic virus can cause crop failure when widespread infection occurs in seedling wheat, particularly when a heavily WSMV-infected green bridge is not controlled before sowing an early crop, and warm temperatures favour mites.

Wheat curl mite (Aceria tosichella) is the only known vector of WSMV. It can transmit the virus in its nymph and adult stages.

Armyworms And Their Management In Cereal Crops, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Armyworms are pests of cereals crops. They are frequently found along the south coast of Western Australia and occasionally in other grainbelt locations.

When barley crops are maturing in spring, large armyworm caterpillars climb plants and can chew through the stems, causing the heads to fall to the ground. Damage to wheat and oat crops occurs less frequently and is usually minor compared to damage in barley. Armyworms are seldom a serious problem in pastures.

Aphid Feeding Damage And Its Management In Cereal Crops, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Adult and nymph aphids suck sap from cereal crops, with large populations, especially in winter and spring, limiting grain yield and size. This page relates to feeding damage from oat aphid (Rhopalosiphon padi) and corn aphid (Rhopalosiphon maidis) in the absence of virus, and Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia).

Barley And Cereal Yellow Dwarf Viruses And Their Management, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Barley yellow dwarf viruses (BYDV) and cereal yellow dwarf viruses (CYDV) damage cereal crops worldwide. These yellow dwarf viruses infect wheat, barley, oats and grasses and are transmitted by aphids.

This page describes these collective yellow dwarf viruses (barley and cereal yellow dwarf viruses), which damage cereals crops and advises on their diagnosis, monitoring, and management the viruses in the Western Australian (WA) grainbelt.

Growers are encouraged to check cereal crops for aphids on a regular basis, especially early in the season during autumn when winged aphids migrate into cereal crops during the crops’ most vulnerable growth phase. Early detection …

Diamondback Moth And Its Management In Canola And Crop Weeds, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Diamondback moth larvae are a serious pest of canola, brassicas, and forage crops, and are difficult to control. The pest breeds up on summer weeds and volunteer canola plants. If there are abundant early rains and mild winters, diamondback moth larvae pose a risk to canola crops.

Russian Wheat Aphid And Its Management In Wheat And Barley, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Russian wheat aphid is found worldwide and has spread throughout all major grain growing countries. In Australia, Russian wheat aphid is present in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, and Western Australia, where it was first detected in 2020.

In Western Australia, Russian wheat aphid is found in low, medium, and high rainfall areas.

Presence of Russian wheat aphid in Western Australia is not an international trade issue and there are no trade implications for the grain industry, as bulk grain is not a host for Russian wheat aphid.

Managing Aphids And Viruses In Lupins, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Aphids reduce yields by direct feeding damage, which causes flower and pod abortion and occasionally plant death in lupins. The extent of damage varies between seasons, but losses can be severe in years that favour aphid population development.

Lupins are most vulnerable to aphids during budding and flowering, as severe feeding damage on growing tips can cause buds to drop, flowers to abort, and reduced pod set. Some lupin varieties are more susceptible to aphids than others.

Aphids transmit serious virus diseases, which reduce yields and contaminate seed stocks. Some species of aphids are more difficult to control than others.

Native Budworm Spraying Threshold, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

The number of native budworm caterpillars in a crop is the major factor determining potential economic damage from the pest. Table 1 was generated with results from department trials to provide an estimate of potential loss from native budworm damage.

Crop loss (kilograms per hectare (kg/ha)) for each caterpillar netted in 10 sweeps (or found per square metre (m2 )) is shown in Table 1. One caterpillar netted in 10 sweeps is equivalent to about 20,000 caterpillars/ha for most pulse crops, assuming an even distribution over the crop

Button Grass And Its Management, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Button grass (Dactyloctenium radulans) is a native species found throughout Australia. It is a common summer weed species that depletes soil moisture and nutrients, reducing the yield potential of the subsequent crop. It also acts as a green bridge for crop pests and disease.

The rapid emergence and growth of button grass after rainfall makes it important for the Australian plague locust.

It can be a valuable pasture species in arid areas, although overgrazing of button grass can result in toxicity for sheep and cattle.

An Exploration Of Learning And Teaching Methods In Agricultural Extension, Jeremy Levinson, Dave Lamie, Michael Vassalos, Chris Eck, Juang Chong, Francis P. F. Reay-Jones

Journal of Extension

Abstract

The Train-the-Trainer approach is widely used in Cooperative Extension education to efficiently disseminate research-based information to many clientele groups, including farmers. This paper compares the traditional Train-the-Trainer model to a comprehensive Collaborative Train-the-Trainer model and discusses weaknesses of the traditional model that are addressed in the Collaborative model. Sources of information used by farmers (growers) and overall effectiveness were measured through a survey instrument created and distributed to farmers in South and North Carolina. The Collaborative Train-the-Trainer model, which emphasizes peer-to-peer interaction and feedback loops, represents an enhanced approach for conceptualizing and implementing Extension educational programs.

Letter From The Faculty Editor, Beth Kegley

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Stream Restoration Effectiveness In Mullins Creek In Fayetteville, Arkansas, Amadeo Scott, Shannon Speir

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Lotic waterways are vital for habitat, food, water, and flood protection, but urbanization poses a major threat to their integrity. Runoff from urban surfaces leads to pollution, flashiness, loss of biodiversity, and other symptoms, also known as Urban Stream Syndrome (USS). Streams can be restored in order to combat USS, but most restorations are not monitored, so their long-term effectiveness is unknown. This study quantitatively evaluated a decade-old stream restoration in Fayetteville, Arkansas, to assess its effectiveness in combating USS and achieving set restoration goals, and to gain insights for future restoration projects. Restoration goals included decreasing erosion and sedimentation, …

Evaluating Efficiency And Accuracy Of Three Texture Analysis Methods For Blackberry Fruit, Rhys M. Brock, Carmen Johns, Katelyn Lust-Moore, Margaret Worthington

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

A major objective of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture (UADA) Fruit Breeding program is to improve the texture of blackberry (Rubus subgenus Rubus Watson). Blackberry varieties with improved fruit firmness transport and store well and may maintain superior quality under challenging postharvest conditions than softer varieties. Increased firmness may also make cultivars less susceptible to red drupelet reversion (RDR), a postharvest disorder of blackberries in which fully black drupelets revert to red after harvest. This research project aims to assess the efficiency and accuracy of three methods applied in evaluating blackberry firmness. The study compares instrumental analysis …

Featured Faculty Mentor/Student Team, Austin Jones, Ashley Dowling, Baylie Day

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Contents, Discovery Editors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Letter From The Dean, Jeff Edwards

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Discovery: The Student Journal Of Dale Bumpers College Of Agricultural, Food And Life Sciences - Volume 25 2024, Several Authors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.