Integrated Crop Management News

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Flooding and Stored Grain

June 24, 2008

By Charles Hurburgh, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and Dan Loy, Department of Animal Science

 

Floodwaters have soaked many grain bins on farms and at commercial elevators. With only a few exceptions, flood soaked grain is not useable for feed or food. Flooding affects both the stored grain and the storage structures.

Grain and Grain Products

A Cool and Thankfully Dry Week

June 23, 2008
Image of base 50 degree F degree days in regions of Iowa from May 1 to June 22, 2008

By Rich Pope, Department of Plant Pathology


Some good news this week, with much-needed access to fields gained across Iowa. Also on the positive side, hay harvest progressed rapidly and hay yields were reportedly good.


Although the week was a bit cooler than average, the dry weather was a welcome relief.


Degree day accumulations by Crop Reporting District

Is It Time to Switch Soybean Maturity Group Varieties?

June 21, 2008

By Palle Pedersen, Department of Agronomy

Many farmers were able to get back into the field this week and start finishing up planting. However, there are still many areas where fields remain flooded and it will take awhile before we can get back in and replant. Some fields need to be replanted and some don’t. It is important to accurately estimate a surviving stand and then evaluate the economics of replanting.

Flooding and Mosquitoes

June 20, 2008

By Laura Jesse, ISU Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic

Flooding per se, does not lead to mosquitoes. It is the water that stands AFTER the flooding that creates opportunities for mosquitoes to breed. Heavy, frequent rainfall may lower mosquito population numbers because there is no standing, stagnant water in which the larvae can feed on grow (mosquito larvae do not live in running water).

Yellow Corn, Wet Soils and N Loss - Part 1

June 20, 2008
Image of experimental plot for wet soil and nitrogen loss experiments

By John Sawyer, Department of Agronomy


Yellow Corn


As many are well aware, the wet conditions this spring have resulted in tremendous corn coloration and growth variation across fields. In my travels to the ISU research farms west of Ames this week for research work, it is clear that corn is recovering and beginning rapid growth, but that growth is very uneven and varies on a quite small scale.


Assessing Private Well Safety After Flooding

June 19, 2008

By Tom Glanville, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

As the floodwater recede, we are getting lots of questions from rural residents wanting to know if their wells are safe to use. Here are three of the most common questions.

There was no flood water on my property, but the nearby fields and road were flooded. How do I know if my well should be tested. 

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