The cool, wet weather conditions this spring mean some Iowa corn and soybean fields will be planted later than normal, making this is a good time to revisit multiple peril crop insurance coverage options.
New research from Iowa State University shows that farmers should use the same level of management for small grains as they do when managing corn or soybeans. By using seed counts per acre when planting, instead of a “by the bushel” rate calculation, farmers can receive both yield and financial benefits.
Ethanol plants need to be especially cautious of moldy corn this spring due to a humid fall and excessive amounts of corn stored in outdoor piles. The issue going forward will be to get all corn properly cooled and aerated before spoilage worsens.
Many crop producers are using best management practices to reduce and control nutrient loss and soil erosion from crop land. These same conservation methods can be applied to large-scale gardens and commercial vegetable production. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is releasing two new publications about combining cover crops and strip-tillage systems and their use in vegetable production.
Strawberries are well suited to home gardens. They are hardy, easy to grow and produce a good crop with moderate effort. Early spring is the best time to plant strawberries in Iowa.
