PEST Week Live Offers Latest Recommendations to Manage In-Season Pest Resistance, Mitigate Resistance Development

Farmers can engage with experts, ask questions and learn about free tools and resources

ST. LOUIS (June 9, 2022) — The soy checkoff and partnering organizations supporting the Take Action program will host PEST Week Live on June 16 from 9-10 a.m. CDT. The event will be hosted through Zoom and streamed on Take Action’s Facebook page, and will feature discussions on the latest pest resistance research findings and recommendations. As part of the program’s Pest Elimination Strategies and Tactics (PEST) Week, June 13-17, this inaugural event is an opportunity for farmers, extension personnel, agronomists and crop production advisers to discuss current pest resistance management issues and strategies to help mitigate yield decline and crop loss.

PEST Week will mark 10 years of Take Action being agriculture’s go-to source for educational tools and resistance management development resources. As input costs continue to rise, the free Take Action resources are critical to reduce the effects of pest resistance and preserve current production technologies.

“The landscape of production agriculture continues to evolve, and the development of resistance is spreading across more regions each growing season,” says Kevin Wilson, USB farmer-leader and soybean farmer from Indiana. “I encourage my fellow farmers, and anyone involved in production agriculture, to register and attend PEST Week Live. The Take Action program provides timely advice and unbiased recommendations across the three areas threatened by resistance — weeds, diseases and insects. I’m proud of the soy checkoff and its supporting partner organizations for recognizing value in the Take Action program.”

Identifying pests is the first step toward an effective resistance management plan. A new herbicide classification chart is now available through the Take Action website as well as videos, webinars, posters and fact sheets to help farmers focus on the small steps they can take to mitigate pesticide resistance during the growing season. 

“Losses in crop value caused by weeds each year are estimated to be over $10 billion. As we near a critical stage in this growing season, farmers must take initiative to effectively manage pest resistance,” said Bill Johnson, professor of weed science, Purdue University. “Register now for PEST Week Live to hear current pest resistance research findings and farmer panelists speak about their pest resistance experiences. Updating pest management plans now will help lessen the impacts of resistance later. This virtual event provides an opportunity for farmers and crop advisers to update their management strategies to minimize selection pressure that could lead to the development of resistance.” 

Register for PEST Week Live at IWillTakeAction.com. Those who attend will be eligible to win a Husky Mobile Workbench Tool Chest, a DeWalt Atomic Cordless Combo Tool Kit or a DeWalt Mechanics Tool Set. One CEU credit will be available for those in the Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) and Certified Professional Crop Consultant (CPCC) programs.

PEST Week challenges farmers to remain proactive against pests and diseases. Farmers can access the Take Action Kit by visiting the Take Action website at IWillTakeAction.com/kit or on the go via the Take Action app for Apple or Android devices and tablets.

About United Soybean Board: United Soybean Board’s 78 volunteer farmer-leaders work on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers to achieve maximum value for their soy checkoff investments. These volunteers create value by investing in research, education and promotion with the vision to deliver sustainable soy solutions to every life, every day across the three priority areas of Infrastructure & Connectivity, Health & Nutrition, and Innovation & Technology. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff. For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit unitedsoybean.org.

About Take Action: Take Action: Pesticide-Resistance Management is a farmer-focused education platform designed to help farmers manage herbicide, fungicide and insect resistance. The goal is to encourage farmers to adopt management practices that lessen the impacts of resistant pests and preserve current and future crop protection technology. The program is endorsed by major ag chemical and trait providers, experts affiliated with land-grant universities, scientific professional organizations and soy, corn, cotton, sorghum and wheat commodity groups. Keep up with the latest updates by following Take Action on Facebook and Twitter or visiting IWillTakeAction.com.

###

Contact:

Paul Murphy-Spooner at United Soybean Board, 515.975.6584.

Mace Thornton at United Soybean Board, mthornton@unitedsoybean.org.