These pictures were taken yesterday morning and I think summarizes the scenario across all Mato Grosso.
Helicoverpa is here, everywhere, but easily under control. We have been more vigilant than usual, true, and spraying wherever is needed(some fields are on its 5th), but even the fields from some more reckless farmers are looking fine. This is quite unexpected and my guess is that it’s probably related to the high moisture conditions present in Mato Grosso, conditions that didn’t happen in Bahia last year, when this plague took control over there. Still, we should be aware that a dry spell(+15days) on january, in Mato Grosso, isn’t a rare event and would certainly make things harder, even though most of the potential loss is gone given soybeans late growth stage. Something odd, is that the Soybeans Looper(Pseudoplusia includens), a regular caterpillar, is the one causing problems this season.
Anyway, soybeans are looking great, much more than last year.
Generation Y Farmer 