Farmers in parts of the Northern Plains are dealing with a growing grasshopper crisis that threatens their livelihood. With hopes dashed that the wet spring would destroy the insect eggs, the grasshopper population now appears more rampant than ever.
In an eerie turn of events, radar systems in Montana and North Dakota detected clouds of moving objects, which, to everyone's shock, were swarms of grasshoppers, not rain or hail.
Bowman County North Dakota's Extension Agent, Penny Nester, underscores the farmers' trouble. She points out that grasshoppers are merely one of the various pests tormenting growers due to the wet conditions earlier in the year. Apart from the insatiable grasshoppers, farmers are also wrestling with pests like blister beetles and alfalfa weevils.
But tackling these pests has its challenges. With the ongoing grain harvesting, farmers cannot deploy pesticides owing to insecticide withdrawal periods. This restricts the measures they can take, and despite multiple sprayings, the grasshopper menace persists.
A major concern now is that these insects, having feasted on crops for months, are mature. Starting a spray program at this stage might not be cost-effective.
Earlier this year, certain producers had initiated the use of organophosphates like malathion to control the population. These were effective in cooler conditions but lost potency as temperatures rose. The challenge lies in finding a product that can handle these pests without resistance.
North Dakota State University's Field Crop Insect Management Guide offers tailored recommendations for farmers dealing with pests. Nester suggests an integrated pest management approach, waiting until nymphs reach a threatening density before spraying.
Some grasshoppers in North Dakota have contracted summit disease, a fungal ailment that may be a natural solution to curb populations but usually occurs after significant economic damage.
The question remains: when will grasshoppers end? They hibernate underground and farmers hope a harsh winter will eradicate them. Grasshoppers are migratory, and even a harsh winter could cause them to move to milder regions.
A farmer in Montana, shared how grasshoppers have not only affected his crops but even consumed pine needles from newly planted trees, illustrating the severity of this infestation.
For now, the Northern Plains remains in a battle against time and grasshoppers, hoping for nature's intervention or a sustainable solution to save their crops.
Photo Credit: pexels-tudsaput-eusawas
Categories: North Dakota, Crops