Insect Pressure is mounting—and so are the yield stakes.
As we look ahead to unlocking top-end corn yields in 2026, especially on continuous corn acres, growers must rethink their approach to Corn Rootworm (CRW) defense. The solution? An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy built on scouting, precision timing, advanced testing, and matching the right hybrids with the right field.
Start Strong: Spray CRW Beetles at the Optimal Time
One of the most effective early-season tactics in CRW management is timely adult beetle suppression. Spraying approximately 10 days after tassel aligns with peak beetle activity, maximizing efficacy and helping break the CRW lifecycle before it begins again in your soils.
Steward® Insecticide has become a go-to for this strategy. It not only targets adult CRW beetles but also provides control of Earworm and Western Bean Cutworm when timed correctly. By locking in protection at tassel, you’re not just defending this year’s crop—you’re also preventing egg-laying that leads to next year’s damage.
New Hybrid Options Require Smart CRW Management
In our 2024 Axis Seed Hybrid Evaluations, we saw impressive yield results from a new class of hybrids that do NOT contain CRW traits. These hybrids offer tremendous upside, but that yield potential will only be realized if beetle pressure is kept in check.
That’s where your 2025 Max Yield System Plan becomes critical to launching your 2026 Max Yield System. Effective beetle control this season—right now—is your first line of defense for next year’s continuous corn acres. Without it, next year’s planting could be compromised by larvae feeding on roots, especially on high-risk continuous corn acres.
Using Soil DNA to Make Informed Decisions
With the availability of Soil DNA testing from Earth Optics, we can now pinpoint CRW pressure at the field level with unprecedented accuracy. This is a game-changer.
By understanding which fields carry higher CRW pressure, we can intelligently pair those fields with CRW-traited hybrids. For fields with low to moderate pressure, we can pivot to the highest-yielding untraited genetics and enhance protection using Meristem’s Revline Hopper Throttle with Guard X.
This precision pairing allows you to:
- Capture top-end yield where the opportunity is greatest
- Reserve CRW traits for the acres that need them
- Avoid unnecessary trait stacking
Your IPM Checklist for 2025 and Beyond
- Scout now and monitor beetle activity closely
- Spray beetles 10 days after tassel using Steward® for multi-insect control
- Pull Soil DNA samples to assess CRW larval pressure by field
- Plan 2026 seed placement using data: high-pressure fields get CRW-traited corn, low-pressure fields get the top-yielding untraited Axis Seed hybrids
- Apply Revline Hopper Throttle with Guard X to amplify root protection on untraited acres
Defending yield requires more than traits—it demands insight, timing, and a plan.
Let’s work together to take an IPM approach to Corn Rootworm and build the foundation for your best yields yet. Reach out to your Axis Seed – Red Barn team to put this IPM approach into action on your farm, schedule soil sampling, or learn more about our new Axis Seed hybrids and Meristem Crop Performance.
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