Scouting is both preventative and reactive. Preventative management is much more effective than attempting to manage a disease after its appearance.

Setting up a regular schedule is important. You should plan on scouting at least once a week. Don't just scout your field by driving by with your window down. Get out and walk the field. Work in a Z or zigzag pattern to cover different areas and slopes of your field. Don't just work the edges.

If there are certain areas where you have experienced problems in the past like low areas where ponding of water takes place or shaded areas, make these areas are your highest priorities.

Bring along a few items should you need help identifying problems. Include:
1. plastic bags for sample plants
2. a permanent marker to write on the bags
3. a 10 or 15X hand lens
4. a shovel to dig up plants
5. a clipboard to write down observations
6. digital camera 

Seedcorn Maggot
Seedcorn Maggots are occasional pests of both corn and soybean seeds prior to germination and can cause stand loss. Because this damage occurs below the surface it may be difficult to determine the need for an insecticide. There are no rescue treatments for this insect so you must apply an insecticide at planting time. Seeds are at greatest risk for injury when animal manure is spread on the soil or when plants are killed in the spring and incorporated into the soil prior to planting.

The adult female seedcorn maggot (fly) lays her eggs in decaying organic matter. Damage is more likely in cool wet soils when the seeds are slow to germinate but the insects are actively feeding. Fields that have last year’s crop residue on the soil surface or that are no-till should not have a problem with seedcorn maggots unless an unusually cool and wet spring greatly delays plant emergence. Germinating seeds alone are not sufficient to attract seedcorn maggots to the field.

Pictured:
Seedcorn Maggot injury:
The seedcorn maggot,
Delia platura, can cause
injury to soybean seedlings
and cause entry wounds for
secondary pathogens.