Nick Steffens

[Persistent BioControl @PBiocontrol]

Some great results in organic corn treated with biocontrol nematodes applied this spring. This organic field is on a corn-beans-corn rotation with significant northern rootworm feeding in the untreated check. Root injury scores of 1 to 2.5. Outside the untreated check, corn roots were clean with very light feeding. 6 corn plants in each pile.
#rootworm #crw #organic

[Nick Steffens @steffensnick75]

@cb_catt @Cornell_bugman This photo does not show damage, tassels and silking correlate to the timing of beetle emergence. Larval stage is ending, where they feed on the roots.

[Nick Steffens @steffensnick75]

First tassels are coming out in Eastern Iowa.

A good indicator that peak damage is happening from Corn Rootworm.

@PBiocontrol will be doing a root dig tour the last week of July starting in NW Iowa and moving East.

Contact me if you would like us to stop and rate your roots!

[Jake Denger @JakeDenger]

My planter f up. 15yr c/c forgot to turn on insec on 2 vt2/tre hybrids. No below ground protection except for @PBiocontrol I was expecting a train wreck and am pleasantly surprised/shocked. I'm not advocating this practice of no below ground protection.

[Nick Steffens @steffensnick75]

Good discussion from @croptechinc on Rootworm and other issues to look for in the fields https://t.co/gFibGLPcwv

[Nick Steffens @steffensnick75]

@PBiocontrol nematodes have been applied on over 30,000 acres the last 2 seasons. The circles on the map are fields that have been applied. Backgound colors are a Corn Rootworm forecast from @Bayer4CropsUS

[Nick Steffens @steffensnick75]

We have accumulated around 630 GDU’s so far in Eastern Iowa. Rootworm hatch is starting now as I am delivering @PBiocontrol nematodes to help protect our roots from the damage.

[Nick Steffens @steffensnick75]

The beneficial nematodes attack and kill the wax worms in the same way they do corn Rootworm and other soil insects.

[Nick Steffens @steffensnick75]

Last weeks samples for @PBiocontrol nematodes have been baited with wax worms. They will incubate for 7 days before we analyze the samples.

[Nick Steffens @steffensnick75]

@Bkitch1Bodie @PBiocontrol We have not lost persistence on any fields that we have successfully inoculated. @Cornell_bugman started applying to fields in the early 90’s in his research at Cornell, and the last testing they did before his retirement 2017 or so still had nematode levels controlling rootworm

[Nick Steffens @steffensnick75]

In Illinois this week pulling soil samples to test for @PBiocontrol nematodes. Most of these fields were applied a year or longer ago. A one time application to control Corn Rootworm can last for decades!

[Nick Steffens @steffensnick75]

Nematode production happening at @PBiocontrol . We use waxworms to grow our biocontrol nematodes in our production facility.

Check out https://t.co/k7Sf0azRLk

[Nick Steffens @steffensnick75]

Elevated Corn Rootworm Pressure Projected For The Midwest - AgWeb https://t.co/UtPnMUR2cq

[Nick Steffens @steffensnick75]

Nematode Makes Inroads in Corn Fields https://t.co/aYapeoTiE3 via @YouTube

[Persistent BioControl @PBiocontrol]

Big thanks to Paul for checking in! We discussed how 2025 went and what's new for 2026.

https://t.co/R8zULBfmlJ

[Persistent BioControl @PBiocontrol]

Seven years of persistence and counting! (Roswell, NM)

2019: Grower reported severe rootworm damage to his RW-traited corn in this field. Biocontrol nematodes applied.

2025: The 200 soil samples shown below were pulled in November. 29% are positive for biocontrol nematodes - a level typical for long term control. No rootworm damage reported in the past 7 years of continuous corn. Field has been planted with previous generation rootworm trait for the past 7 years. No soil applied insecticide.

[Persistent BioControl @PBiocontrol]

Join Nick for lunch on December 18th at noon in Manchester, IA and learn about our rootworm-killing nematodes!

[Persistent BioControl @PBiocontrol]

Stop by our booth (3330) at the Nebraska Ag Expo and checkout some live biocontrol nematodes! Ask a question about biocontrol nematodes that we can’t answer and win a free hat.

[Persistent BioControl @PBiocontrol]

Join Nick for lunch on December 3rd at noon in Goose Lake IA and learn about our rootworm-killing nematodes!