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The Source for Iowa Crop Production News

Black Cutworm Thresholds: What has Changed with the Price of Corn and New Control Methods?

5/16/2008 - New control methods and the higher cost of seed and expected higher returns from corn have resulted in lower threshold recommendations from ISU Extension entomologists.

Black Cutworm Scouting Advisory—2008

5/16/2008 - Black cutworms are expected to start hatching across the state in the next few days.

Minimize Soybean Yield Loss from Late Planting

5/13/2008 - We are all getting close to the “desperate mode.” Despite that, we should still try to stay calm since we can still get good soybean yields if we have perfect weather conditions in July and August.

A Bit Cool, a Bit Wet, but Planting Progresses

5/13/2008 - The second week of May continued the 2008 pattern of cool and wet spring weather across Iowa.

Consider Effects on Seedbed Before Tilling Wet Soil

5/13/2008 - Tilling soil in order to dry the soil surface or control weeds may have significant negative impacts on creating proper seedbed conditions.

Beware of a Dangerous Invasive Weed Hogweed

5/12/2008 - Giant hogweed is highly invasive and is capable of causing considerable damage to anyone who comes in contact with the plant

Delayed PRE Herbicide Applications in Corn

5/12/2008 - Many who intend to use a soil-applied residual herbicide treatment in corn may be forced to make the application of an early postemergence (EPOST) to the weeds and possibly the corn.

Planters are Rolling and Corn is Growing

5/5/2008 - Today the first weekly report of base 50°F degree-day accumulations is posted for the 2008 Iowa crop season.

Seeding Rates in Relation to Maximum Yield and Seed Costs

5/5/2008 - As seeding rates and seed prices both increase, we must assess whether adding an additional unit of seed covers the cost of that seed.

It’s a Late Spring: Should You Apply Nitrogen or Plant Corn?

5/4/2008 - For those who have not yet applied nitrogen fertilizer, is it better to apply the N or spend time in the field planting corn when soils dry? Several items need to be considered.

Surface Waters: Ammonium is Not Ammonia – Part Two

5/2/2008 - While ammonia and ammonium are not directly an issue for drinking water safety to humans, indirectly they are because of interference in disinfection for control of disease causing organisms.

Field Testing of N-Hibit™ Seed Treatment in Iowa*

5/2/2008 - Iowa State University evaluated the effects of N-Hibit™ seed treatment on soybean yield and SCN population densities in experiments at nine locations throughout Iowa in 2007.

Don’t Use More Pressure than Needed on Wet Soils

5/1/2008 - Farmers should be prepared to make planter adjustments to improve the chances of good early plant growth of corn and soybeans in wet soils.

Adapting to Alfalfa Winterkill and Winter Injury

4/29/2008 - There are several factors to consider when deciding how to address alfalfa winterkill and winter injury this crop season.

When is it Too Late Plant Forages?

4/29/2008 - There still may be time to plant forages this crop season.

Managing 2,4-D for No-Till Burndown Treatments

4/29/2008 - As weather delays compress the time available to complete planting and associated field operations, use 2,4-D in burndown treatments in no-till fields should be carefully considered.

Improved Disease Resistance on the Way – One Key to Soybean Improvement

4/25/2008 - Iowa State University scientists are working to develop a method to identify genes to pathogens when resistance has been difficult to find.

New Directory of Sensitive Crops and Apiaries for Pesticide Applicators Iowa Deptr of Ag and Land Stewarship

4/25/2008 - This list of locations will be available so pesticide applicators can be aware of sensitive areas prior to making pesticide applications

Check Out the ISU Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic

4/23/2008 - The Clinic helps growers and agribusiness professionals diagnose and manage plant disease, weed and insect problems on all kinds of plants.

Good News—Bean Leaf Beetles Hit Hard by Winter Cold Yellow Bean Leaf Beetle Adult

4/22/2008 - It was a long, cold winter, and based on temperatures, we predict that the mortality of overwintering bean leaf beetles was very high

Alfalfa Weevil Predictions for 2008 Alfalfa Weevil Larva

4/22/2008 - Effective management of alfalfa weevil depends on timely scouting, correct identification and effective determination of insect populations.

Delayed Burndown Applications in No-Till

4/22/2008 - Planting into established weeds greatly shortens the time required for weeds to impact crop yields

Inoculating CRP Ground

4/21/2008 - Farmers planning to grow soybeans in former CRP acres may want to consider inoculating the seed.

Will 2008 be the “Perfect Storm” for Soybean Seedling Disease?

4/21/2008 - Seed quality is a problem for many companies this year but all are doing everything they can do to ensure we have the best quality seed possible.

Surface Waters: Ammonium is Not Ammonia

4/21/2008 - When evaluating water quality monitoring data, it is important to know what is being measured.

Iowa 2008 Prediction for Stewart’s Disease of Corn

4/17/2008 - Mild winters during the past decade have resulted in an increased occurrence of Stewart's disease in Iowa. Two disease prediction models are available to predict the seasonal and county-level risk of Stewart’s disease.

Calculating Degree Days

4/17/2008 - Estimating the accumulation of heat on a daily basis allows scientists to model crop or pest growth.

Too Early to Worry about Planting Corn!

4/16/2008 - There is still plenty of time to plant corn. Our best data shows that Iowa corn yield responses don't decrease significantly until May.

You Couldn’t Apply Phosphorus and Potassium Last Fall and Now It’s Too Wet

4/14/2008 - Soils are wet and there is little time until corn planting begins. Also, fertilizers are in short supply and at high prices. So what should you do? There are a few viable options depending mainly on soil-test values and the particular crop.

Soil Fertility Web Site Updated Yellowed soybean plant

4/14/2008 - The Iowa State University Agronomy Extension Soil Fertility Web site has a new look qne includes a new section located on the home page called “Current Topic.”