A new formulation of Force combined with a new central delivery insecticide system will help growers more efficiently control corn rootworm while no-tilling corn next spring.

With an emphasis on growing fewer soybean acres due to this year's move toward more continuous corn, no-tillers are looking for new ways to boost soybean yields. And attendees at last winter's 15th annual National No-Tillage Conference learned that a number of new pesticide developments can definitely help in the control of insects, diseases and weeds.

Now that most no-tillers have pretty much mastered the chemical side of pesticide management, they’re paying more attention to application costs, timeliness and equipment selection. This means more no-tillers will be doing more of their own pesticide applications in the future.

Instead of worrying about whether Asian rust is going to hit your no-tilled soybean fields this summer, you should consider spraying fungicides, Wayne Pedersen says. The University of Illinois plant pathologist says it’s likely to pay dividends through control of several late-maturing soybean diseases.

While you can rely on a number of new technologies for controlling pests in your no-tilled soybeans, this might be the year to focus more attention on disease concerns.

No-tillers can choose from a number of corn herbicides and fungicides that have become available since the last growing season. The new products for this year, listed by manufacturer, include:<