There’s more to scouting your fields than you think

Few farmers make good field scouts. Hiring someone to do it for you may be a better choice

by PAT LYNCH

How many times have you read a conclusion to an article which advises you to “scout your fields to find out?” It is certainly the way to watch for insect buildup, weed escapes and diseases initiation. You also can scout for timing of fungicides or herbicides.

But there is more to scouting than the above. Few farmers make good field crop scouts. Most do not have the time when scouting is critical. Some cannot distinguish between pigweed and nightshade or ragweed and red clover at the cotyledon to first leaf stage. This is the stage when you have to know what you have.

Better Farming - April 2011