The Source for Iowa Crop Production News

7/28/2010 - In this week's crop minute Alison Robertson, ISU Extension field crops pathologist discusses application of foliar fungicides on corn.

7/26/2010 - Yield loss caused by soybean cyst nematode (SCN) does not always result is symptoms, especially in cool and wet growing seasons. The only way to check for SCN in the field is to dig roots and look for SCN females. This also is a useful way to check how well SCN-resistant varieties are controlling the nematode.

7/19/2010 - Late summer can be an excellent time to establish forage crops and seed thin or bare spots in spring established forage stands, provided there is sufficient moisture for germination and good seedling growth.

7/19/2010 - Symptoms of injury to corn from feeding by plant-parasitic nematodes includes yellow leaves, stunting of plants, and mid-day wilting. To determine if nematode feeding is responsible for crop injury symptoms observed in the field, soil and root samples must be collected and sent to a qualified laboratory for testing.

7/12/2010 - Higher than normal numbers of green cloverworm are being reported in central Iowa. The last major green cloverworm outbreak in Iowa was in the 1970s.

7/12/2010 - Indicators say it is time for Iowa corn producers to begin scouting for western bean cutworm.

7/12/2010 - Crop insurance options should be considered by producers faced with late planting and replanting decisions.

7/8/2010 - Over the last 10 days the weather was favorable for the production of soybean white mold mushrooms in Iowa. However, the level of soybean white mold occurrence this year is likely to be less than last year.

7/7/2010 - Agribusinesses may order reprints of the Iowa State University Corn Field Guide displaying their organization logo on the back cover.

7/7/2010 - Two Iowa State University Extension field agronomist positions currently are available in northeast and west central Iowa.

7/7/2010 - Collated and summarized data are available from soybean fungicide small plot trials conducted by Iowa State University faculty and staff, and on-farm trials conducted by the Iowa Soybean Association On-Farm Network, the ISU Corn and Soybean Initiative and the ISU Northwest On-Farm research program.

7/7/2010 - Data from corn fungicide small plot trials conducted by Iowa State University faculty and staff, and on-farm trials conducted by the Iowa Soybean Association On-Farm Network, the ISU Corn and Soybean Initiative and the ISU Northwest On-Farm research program were recently collated and summarized.

7/1/2010 - Tissue testing in conjunction with in-season soil testing, comparing field areas with apparent deficiency symptoms or poor growth with nearby seemingly unaffected areas, is a practical and useful way of using tissue testing.

6/30/2010 - Early season similarities between the two years raise the question, could 2010 turn out like 1983?

6/29/2010 - Questions often arise in June about "emergency or catch-up" fertilization for soybean. Producers wonder if fertilizer rates were inadequate or if late planting dates, replanting and cold or excessively wet conditions have altered the crop nutrient uptake and fertilization need.

6/29/2010 - Farmers making decisions on planting forage or cover crop due to planting delays and flooded fields should consider several practical issues and determine which crop best fits those issues.

6/25/2010 - Pioneer is the first company to offer "in the bag" refuge for Bt corn. While a potentially convenient benefit, some growers may find that this complicates refuge planting. NOTE: correction was made to ECB refuge distance for OAM1 after this article was published on 06/23.

6/21/2010 - The Crop Management Clinic, an intensive two-day training program that focuses on the latest developments in crop production and protection, will be held July 14-15.

6/21/2010 - The fundamentals of crop plant diagnostics is the focus of the 2010 Field Diagnostic Clinic July 12-13 at the Field Extension Education Laboratory.

6/21/2010 - Iowa State University Extension is offering agricultural drainage training July 27-29 at the Borlaug Learning Center.

6/17/2010 - Knowing what to look for when scouting fields will help producers make disease management decisions.

6/16/2010 - The widespread rain that has occurred across Iowa has been favorable for the development of early season disease in both corn and soybean. But from a management perspective, all of these diseases cause little if any yield loss.

6/16/2010 - A web-based model helps estimate potential soybean yield loss due to weed competition. All that is required is crop stage, estimated weed-free yield potential, weed density and weed size.

6/15/2010 - In this week's crop minute, two ISU Extension specialists discuss issues related to the overly wet growing season - soil nitrogen needs and crop diseases popping up with the rain.

6/15/2010 - Continued wet soil conditions into June with warm soils, prolonged saturation and tile drainage enhance nitrate loss. One way to determine nitrogen (N) loss is to calculate an estimate.

6/15/2010 - Injection of anhydrous ammonia or UAN solutions would top the list of best options when conventional application equipmnet can be moved through the fields.

6/9/2010 - With recent rains and warm weather the crops are growing and so are the weeds. It's time to turn attention to weeds in soybeans.

6/8/2010 - Stalk borer larvae are predicted to begin movement across southern Iowa and in south central Iowa this week.

6/8/2010 - Iowa National Guard members who hold private or commercial pesiticde applicator certifications should contact IDALS when they return from service to determine certification status.

6/8/2010 - A confirmed Iowa siting of threecorner alfalfa hopper feeding on soybean was made last week. While reduced tillage areas and late planted fields are more likely to get infested, the hopper rarely causes economic damage because soybean plants can compensate greatly.