The economics of corn production and low populations of European corn borer in recent years may have farmers questioning the need of paying for the Bt trait in their corn seed. University of Minnesota Extension IPM Specialist Bruce Potter says corn borer is still in the field and populations can build. “If people are growing significant amounts on non-Bt corn in an area for years, those populations build back up.” Potter says there is no problem planting non-Bt as long as you know what pests you have in the field. “You can still treat corn borers and Bt is an easy fix for it. You can scout and put down applications of insecticides, especially early in the season.”
