Paul Kassel

June 14, 2021 12:56 PM

The following is a view of the moisture status for six locations in northwest Iowa where the soil was analyzed for spring subsoil moisture.  This discussion may or may not reflect the current soil moisture conditions in your area.  This article does attempt to account for stored soil moisture,...

Crop Production
June 14, 2021 11:36 AM

Micronutrients for soybean production, soybean cyst nematode management and white mold of soybean will highlight the summer field day at the Iowa State University Northern Research and Demonstration Farm near Kanawha.

The North Central Iowa Research Association will also announce a...

Crop Production
June 1, 2021 10:51 AM

Frost injury occurred Saturday May 29 across much of the area.  Radiational frost occurs when leaf temperatures actually reach lower temperatures than nearby recorded air temperatures.

 

Frost has occurred

            - along field edges - especially corn...

Crop Production
April 21, 2021 10:10 PM

Subsoil moisture levels have improved for 2021 crop production.

Iowa State University has completed their spring survey of subsoil moisture in northwest Iowa, says Paul Kassel, ISU Extension and Outreach Field Agronomist located in Spencer.  The amount of subsoil moisture is sampled in...

Crop Production
April 13, 2021 11:43 AM

Does the recent increase in nitrogen (N) cost and the increase in corn grain price warrant a change in nitrogen rates in 2021?  The following discussion gives an overview of the current N cost and corn price situation

New crop corn for delivery during the fall of 2021 was $4.05 per bushel...

Crop Production
April 9, 2021 10:10 AM

The following are a few thoughts on nitrogen (N) management for the 2021 growing season.  Many fertilizer decisions have already been made - however a quick review of N plans is in order. However, the recent increase in corn grain prices and in-season cost of nitrogen fertilizer may warrant of...

Crop Production
March 9, 2021 9:38 PM

 

Recent ISU Field Agronomist retirement announcements include Brian Lang and Paul Kassel.  This has created two openings for ISU Extension and Outreach Field Agronomists.  There are two positions available – one in northwest Iowa...

Crop Production
February 25, 2021 1:12 PM

The 2020 registration for Xtendimax, Engenia and the extension of the Tavium registration included additional restrictions for protection of Endangered Species. 

Iowa counties with Endangered Species protection include Allamakee, Cerro Gordo, Clayton, Delaware, Dickinson, Dubuque, Emmet,...

Pesticide Education
November 24, 2020 8:36 PM

a brief overview of the effects of low levels of subsoil moisture, a dry spring and a dry summer on corn and soybean yields in Buena Vista and Sac counties in 2000.  

Crop Production
November 18, 2020 2:44 PM

The question has been asked 'how does the subsoil moisture levels from the fall of 2020 compare to other dry falls'.

 A look back shows the following levels of fall subsoil moisture from 2011 and 2012 - for the six sites where I survey soil moisture in northwest Iowa.

Rainfall -...

Crop Production
November 10, 2020 12:17 PM

Iowa State University has completed their fall survey of subsoil moisture in northwest Iowa.   The amount of subsoil moisture is sampled in the fall in six northwest Iowa counties.

Soil moisture is sampled to a depth of five foot in one-foot increments at six different pre-determined...

Crop Production
July 26, 2020 8:37 AM

 Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Pocahontas and Sac county will hold meetings to discuss the effects of the current drought on crops and livestock.

 

The Sac county meeting will be held on Thursday August 6 at the Sac County Fairgrounds 4-H Building at 416 Park...

Crop Production
June 25, 2020 10:01 PM

There have been a few fields where topramezone – the active ingredient in Impact and Armezon – carried over from an application last June – and is injuring this year’s soybean crop. Other agronomists have reported carryover of other Group 27 herbicides on soybean this year (mesotrione,...

Crop Production
February 24, 2020 4:56 PM

CLARION, Iowa – A growing season outlook and a discussion on corn planting date research will highlight the annual meeting of the North Central Iowa Research Association March 4. The meeting will also feature an update of research at the Iowa State University Northern Research Farm at Kanawha....

Crop Production
February 24, 2020 4:46 PM

Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach will host two soil fertility workshops to help ag producers interpret soil test results and determine fertilizer needs and recommendations.

The first workshop will be held Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the ISU Extension and Outreach Sac County...

Crop Production
August 29, 2019 3:12 PM

Thistle caterpillars, late season crops disease and crop development will highlight the September 5 fall field day at the ISU Northern Research and demonstration farm fall field day.

Registration and refreshments will begin at 9 a.m. A noon lunch will be available. The field day is open...

Crop Production
August 28, 2019 3:06 PM

Check out what ISU Extension and Outreach field agronomists in NW Iowa are seeing and hearing in their areas regarding crop progress and issues showing up in crop fields.

Crop Production
August 21, 2019 5:00 PM

aerial seeding of cover crops into standing corn

Farmers and agribusiness are invited to the Allee Demonstration Farm for a field day on Tuesday August 27.  Coffee and...

Crop Production
April 19, 2018 1:30 PM

Most people say that this spring is one for the history books.  No one seems to remember a colder or snowier start to the spring.

The following are some figures...

Crop Production
June 20, 2017 10:42 AM

Consider attending one of the Nitrogen and Water Week field days next week – June 27 to 29.

Our focus of these meetings is to have attendees ‘kick the tires’ on the tile drainage studies conducted by Iowa State University. 

Nitrate in tile drainage water is on the mind of many...

Crop Production
September 13, 2016 2:27 PM

Much of the corn that was planted in mid-April is mature or nearly mature. Some hybrids really progressed a lot this past week (Sept. 5-Sept. 12). Corn planted in early May and mid-May is about 1/2 to 3/4 milk line. I think I am seeing some of the...

Crop Production
July 28, 2016 9:59 AM

A recent visit to a field with three different planting dates showed the varied crop progress in my area.

The Useful to Usable website uses local information to predict crop development and crop maturity. The following...

Crop Production
May 26, 2016 3:13 PM

A lot of farmers worked some long hours to complete fieldwork over the weekend because of the predicted rainy weather. There have been some heavy rains in extreme northwest Iowa early this week, but much of my area has missed those heavy rains. And, as a result, a lot of fieldwork was completed...

Crop Production
May 16, 2016 1:52 PM

My area has a real range of conditions with corn planting 65-75% complete in the northwest part of my area. There is maybe 15% of the soybean crop planted in the northwest part of my area. The corn and soybean planting progress is 95%+ complete in the northeast part of...

Crop Production
May 4, 2016 1:58 PM

We have had a couple nice days and farmers are looking forward to some predicted good weather. Farmers are taking this all in stride since many have been through this before.


There has been a fairly abrupt line of heavy rainfall/planting progress in the area....

Crop Production

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