Grasshopper presence could delay High Plains wheat planting

High Plains wheat farmers may delay their planting by a few weeks this year.

A wet spring and summer has led to greater populations of grasshoppers and other insects that will dine on, and possibly damage, a young wheat crop, according to Texas A&M AgriLife entomologists.

Wheat growers in the High Plains usually begin to plant their wheat in September, but entomologists warn that may be too soon to avoid grasshopper damage.

“It really would be best if they could wait until mid-October to avoid grasshoppers and other issues,” Dr. Jourdan Bell, AgriLife Extension agronomist, said. “The risk will be losing some of the grazing in the fall, but wheat that is planted earlier is more susceptible to insects and pathogens.”

Farmers who are unable to wait to plant should scout for grasshopper and insect damage once plants emerge as they may need to apply insecticide if infestation is too heavy.