While searching your fields for insects and weeds isn’t the most amusing task, it definitely pays off. Without proper scouting, dead bushels could go unnoticed all season, providing a sad situation come fall. As Adams, WI’s go-to source for agronomy services, Allied Cooperative shares how to avoid crop loss with their top four scouting tips.

Top 4 Crop Scouting Tips From Farming Services Experts

1. Mark Your Calendars

Scouting is a proactive task. If you reach infected plants at the wrong time, it could be too late to save them. Instead, learn when specific diseases spring up and be on the lookout for signs of infection. As soon as you spot them, start treatment to prevent damage from spreading. You should also monitor when various weed types grow, as well as when pests or insects hit the area. Maintaining a well-thought-out calendar will help make the most of your crop.

2. Watch the Weather

Farming is highly dependent on weather, so keep up-to-date with local conditions. Even a few days of rain could affect your crop, with moisture and humidity levels playing a key role in the development of disease and the proliferation of pests. 

3. Don’t Miss a Spot

Agronomy experts know that planting and harvesting take dedication, so they recommend making the most of it. When scouting, don’t miss a single spot. Walk through your fields in a zigzag pattern to catch those small plants or pests you might have missed, and take note of their location. When you mark the issue, level of severity, and location in your calendar, crop scouting becomes a simpler task, and you can refer to the notes in upcoming seasons as well.

4. Take Action

If you notice any issues within your farming territory, you should spring into action immediately. If a large number of insects are spotted, pest control practices are necessary to eliminate them. Disease usually shows up as discoloration or stunted growth, but if you’re unsure, speak with an agronomy expert who can safely identify and eliminate it. When weeds are spotted, start ripping them out quickly. Farming services will provide further measures on eradicating all of these issues so that your crop can be kept under control.

When you’re seeking high-quality agronomy services in West Central Wisconsin, turn to a team you can trust. For the past 100 years, Allied Cooperative has met the local community’s agronomy needs, from crop scouting to maximizing operations. No matter what you require, this skilled team has got your farm covered. Visit their website for more information, or call (800) 247-5679 to speak with a staff member today!