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SCA and Sweet Sorghum: An Orphan in Crisis

SCA and Sweet Sorghum: An Orphan in Crisis. Ric B essin, Raul Villanueva University of Kentucky Sorghum – Sugarcane Aphid Research Exchange Meeting Dallas, TX January 3 – 4, 2017. Introduction. Potentially a lucrative, small acreage crop Typically 1 to 5 acres (max 75 acres in KY)

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SCA and Sweet Sorghum: An Orphan in Crisis

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  1. SCA and Sweet Sorghum:An Orphan in Crisis RicBessin, Raul Villanueva University of Kentucky Sorghum – Sugarcane Aphid Research Exchange Meeting Dallas, TX January 3 – 4, 2017

  2. Introduction • Potentially a lucrative, small acreage crop • Typically 1 to 5 acres (max 75 acres in KY) • Common in Amish and Mennonite communities • Very few pesticides registered • Sorghum registrations don’t extend to sweet sorghum

  3. Economics • 200 – 220 gallons syrup / acre • $ 4 to $ 5 per pint ($ 32 to $ 40 / gal.) • $6400 to $8800 per acre • 1000 to 1500 acres in Kentucky • 6,400,000 to $13,200,00 for KY

  4. Sugarcane Aphid, a mid-summer through harvest pest In Kentucky

  5. Concentration of Juice for Syrup Concentration process (9:1), this is where most labor and cost is involved

  6. High percentage of sweet sorghum growers are Amish or Mennonite Vernon community (Monroe Co., KY) with 24 families growing 50 acres of sweet sorghum

  7. Vernon Community: Not organic, but have never used pesticides Not certified as private applicators Have one field owned by their community to fund their school

  8. Strategies used in 2016 and recap: • Early maturing varieties (lower yielding) • Spreading risk with multiple varieties • Transplanting sweet sorghum • Companion plantings inside/outside of field • Section 18 emergency use not successful through EPA • Section 18 crisis-exemption insecticide (issued by KDA) • Sivanto Prime (4 to 10.5 floz/app, 7 day PHI, 7 day interval, 4 app/season, 28 floz/season)

  9. Buckwheat strips planted throughout their fields To increase natural enemies for aphid management SCA management Early planting and early harvest Field stripped prior to harvest.

  10. Key Learnings • Equipment needed to get spray coverage and minimize exposure • Getting some sweet sorghum producers willing to begin using insecticides over a 12 foot crop

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