Economic benefits of neonicotinoids in Mid-South row crop systems

Neonicotinoids have recently come under public scrutiny for their potential link to the decline in honey bee populations. Over the last decade the neonicotinoid class of chemistry has gained widespread popularity among farmers because of its low mammalian toxicity and high degree of efficacy against piercing sucking insect pest. Neonics are used as seed treatments in nearly every field crop grown in the Midsouthern region and also used as foliar treatments in many of these same crops. Although widely adopted, the full economic benefit to producer has not been fully evaluated. This paper will address potential benefits of seed treatments and foliar use strategies of neonicotinoids in cotton, soybeans, and grain sorghum.