The Agriculture and Food Systems Program (AgFS) has key programs providing assistance and support to the County's agricultural community. In addition, state-wide programs provide comprehensive assistance, including marketing, farmers' markets, environmental quality, and many integrated programs.
Email Us
Kelly Nichols, Ag Educator, kellyn@umd.edu
Chuck Schuster, Commercial Horticulture Educator, cfs@umd.edu
We also invite you to explore our AgFS Statewide website
Fusarium Head Blight Risk Tool
Low risk as of 4/20/26. To see commentary from Extension Pathologists, click on the megaphone picture in the top right corner.
April 16
General notes: Cereal leaf beetle eggs are present and larvae are hatching. Eggs are also present; these can be parasitized so the threshold is primarily based on the presence of larvae. From University of Delaware
“The treatment threshold is 25 eggs and/or larvae per 100 tillers. Treatment is suggested when the egg threshold is reached and more than 50% of the sample consists of larvae, i.e. 50% egg hatch.” Penn State’s Agronomy Guide has a threshold of one larva per stem at boot stage.
Laytonsville
Growth stage: Feekes 6
Insect pests present: cereal leaf beetle (low)
Beneficial insects present: spiders and lady beetles
Poolesville
Growth stage: Feekes 6
Insect pests present: cereal leaf beetles (moderate; about 10% of stems had 1 larva or eggs)
Beneficial insects present: spiders
April 9
General notes: Scout to confirm weed control after herbicide application. Winter annuals (e.g. henbit, deadnettle, chickweed) and roughstalk bluegrass are flowering. Insects to watch out for at this time of year are cereal leaf beetles and aphids.
Laytonsville
Growth stage: Feekes 5
Insect pests present: aphids (very low)
Beneficial insects present: spiders, lady beetles
Poolesville - Field 1
Growth stage: Feekes 5-6
Insect pests present: cereal leaf beetle adults (low)
Beneficial insects present: spiders, lady beetles
Poolesville - Field 2
Growth stage: Feekes 5
Insect pests present: cereal leaf beetle adults (low)
Beneficial insects present: spiders, lady beetles
April 16
Poolesville
Corn planted, not emerged.
Insects: No slugs. Wireworm and grubs present (low).
Weeds: Summer annuals, including pigweed species, emerging.
April 16
Poolesville
Soybeans planted, not emerged.
Insects: No slugs.
Weeds: Summer annuals, including pigweed species, emerging.
Corn earworm traps will be deployed in June.
Visit the University of Delaware's Weekly Crop Update for current vegetable insect scouting tips.
Data being analyzed! Information coming soon.
The Montgomery County AgFS office offers County-specific programs to the community.
Close Encounters with Agriculture
An nnual award-winning agriculture, environment, and nutrition education program offered to Montgomery County fourth-grade students.
Plans are developed by the office for agricultural producers.
Services are offered annually, please contact mocoinfo@umd.edu
Pesticide Safety & Recertification
Provided to producers and businesses with timely information regarding pesticide use.
