Discount Available on Biocontrol Nematodes to Protect NNY Alfalfa, Corn Crops
Discount Available on Biocontrol Nematodes to Protect NNY Alfalfa, Corn Crops
Northern New York farmers interested in protecting their alfalfa
crops from the devastating alfalfa snout beetle can take advantage of discounts
from the Cornell University laboratory raising the biocontrol nematodes that
have been proven to reduce not only populations of snout beetle, but other crop
pests as well.
Research funded long-term by the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural
Development Program developed the science needed to pioneer the use of native
nematodes, tiny insect-attack worms, as a biocontrol to suppress the spread of
the destructive insect.
Recent field trials funded by the Northern New York Agricultural Development
Program indicate that the biocontrol nematodes are also having an impact on
corn rootworm after a field treated with the nematodes is rotated from alfalfa
into corn. Research elsewhere in the state has shown the biocontrol nematodes
can reduce white grub and wireworm populations.
It requires three to five years to totally inoculate a farm with nematodes to
reduce the snout beetle populations to a manageable level.
Cornell entomologist Dr. Elson Shields and Research Support Specialist Antonio
Testa who developed the protocol for the use and rearing of the biocontrol
nematodes recommend application on alfalfa fields in their seeding year or
first production year for best results. Based on recent research trials, application
can also be made to cornfields.
The Shields Lab at Cornell University that has reared the biocontrol nematodes
as part of its research mandate is offering a discount for orders placed for
delivery by June 15 for application within the following 3 to 5 days. This
advance order deadline is April 28 and an additional ten percent applies for
payment in advance or on delivery.
After the April 28 deadline, a ten percent discount applies to any order paid
upon delivery. Farmers must contact the lab at no later than 45 days prior to a
planned application based on their 2018 alfalfa cutting schedule. Biocontrol
nematode application must be made before September 15.
The cost is $28 per acre before discount.
The Shields Lab will only be providing the nematodes through 2021, opening an
opportunity for business development to continue to supply the biocontrol
nematodes to area farmers. While one nematode rearing business has been
developed as a result of this research, others are needed. The Shields’ Lab
will assist individuals seriously interested in rearing the biocontrol
nematodes as a business.
Farmers who wish to rear their own biocontrol nematodes may also contact the
Shields Lab for assistance.
For more information, contact Antonio Testa at 607-591-1493, at28@cornell.edu, or call Cornell Cooperative
Extension NNY Field Crops Specialists Mike Hunter, 315-788-8602, or Kitty
O’Neil, 315-853-1218.
Funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported
by the New York State Senate and administered by the New York State Department
of Agriculture and Markets. Learn more at www.nnyagdev.org.
Alfalfa snout beetle is known to exist across the six northernmost counties of
New York State, in Oswego, Cayuga, and Wayne counties in NY, and in
southeastern Ontario, Canada. The beetle can destroy entire fields of alfalfa
in one growing season. The use of the nematode biocontrol developed in Northern
New York is now being trialed in several U.S. states.
Last updated April 13, 2020