Blog

Meaghan Anderson
October 2, 2023 11:17 AM

Rebecca Vittetoe
October 2, 2023 11:17 AM

Fall is a great time to take soil samples for testing. Soil testing is the only way to determine soil nutrient levels and test results can help make critical management decisions for the next growing season. Soil testing starts with the soil sample. It is critical to take a collection of...

Soil Fertility

Alison Robertson
September 29, 2023 8:43 AM

I have had several calls and emails about corn turning black – particularly the husks and leaf tissues. Walking in these fields turn a white shirt black quickly, and not surprisingly, combining this blackened corn can be very dirty. 

The corn is black because the tissues are being...

Plant Diseases

Kristina TeBockhorst
September 25, 2023 12:49 PM

Agricultural confined-space related cases of injuries and fatalities saw a dramatic rise in 2022, including grain entrapment cases which rose nearly 45%, based on ...

Grain Handling and Storage

Meaghan Anderson
September 21, 2023 10:18 AM

We are once again receiving reports of the notable “edge effect” causing dramatic yield reductions along corn field edges. Occasionally, we get reports earlier in the season as it is often visible from drone or aerial footage in the late part of the season as field edges mature more quickly that...

Crop Production, Grain Handling and Storage

Gentry Sorenson
September 19, 2023 9:50 AM

After walking several fields last week before harvest got into full force, I noted fields where stalk integrity was a concern. If you have not done so already, I would encourage walking fields before harvest to understand how your crop will stand through the harvest season. A pre-harvest walk...

Crop Production, Equipment and Machinery, Grain Handling and Storage

Angie Rieck-Hinz
September 18, 2023 9:37 AM

It is much too early to fall apply anhydrous ammonia to meet your 2024 corn nitrogen (N) needs, but there are other factors to consider given our dry soils this fall. 

Several agronomists have noted that earlier than normal corn firing this year was due to the crop running out of N and...

Soil Fertility

Rebecca Vittetoe
September 18, 2023 9:31 AM

Meaghan Anderson
September 18, 2023 9:31 AM

Harvest has already started for many across the state. With the extra flurry of activity including more equipment and...

Equipment and Machinery

Aaron Saeugling
September 15, 2023 1:37 PM

Every year soybean harvest has some type of challenge. Soybean is one crop where it is difficult to get all the conditions perfect. The use of draper style headers with soybean harvests allows harvest to begin earlier and handle green stems, green pods, and variable moisture.

Below are...

Crop Production

Liz Ripley
September 14, 2023 1:00 PM

Mark Licht
September 14, 2023 1:00 PM

For many parts of Iowa, 2023 is the third consecutive year of drought conditions. This has made establishing cover crops challenging. Drought conditions make overseeding cover crops into standing corn and soybean less successful because of a lack of rainfall to get seeds to germinate. Advice to...

Crop Production

Kristina TeBockhorst
September 13, 2023 8:51 AM

Agricultural confined-space related cases of injuries and fatalities saw a dramatic rise in 2022, including grain entrapment cases which rose nearly 45%, based on...

Grain Handling and Storage

Rebecca Vittetoe
September 12, 2023 2:27 PM

After about a month of minimal rainfall across the state, some much welcomed rain fell over the weekend and on Monday, September 11. The couple of hot weeks and dry conditions in August really pushed crops along across the state, even causing some to reach maturity prematurely. Silage harvest is...

Crop Production

Alison Robertson
September 12, 2023 11:40 AM

Meaghan Anderson
September 12, 2023 11:40 AM

Rebecca Vittetoe
September 12, 2023 11:40 AM

Harvest is approaching too quickly this fall. Between the dry summer and the spurts of hot weather in August and early September, crop standability is degrading quickly. This blog will go over some potential reasons for standability issues and ways to assess and prioritize fields for harvest....

Crop Production, Plant Diseases

Mark Licht
September 12, 2023 9:18 AM

The last couple heat waves combined with continued drought stress has brought on premature corn death. What should be expected as corn grain harvest gets underway? First and foremost expect VARIABILITY of both grain moisture and yield within and between fields. Next plan for variable and...

Crop Production, Grain Handling and Storage

Chelsea Harbach
September 7, 2023 12:54 PM

Field crop health matters throughout the entire growing season. The types of diseases on crops depend on the point in the growing season and the environmental conditions. Many later-season diseases result from soilborne pathogens over which in-season fungicide applications have no control. Most...

Crop Production, Plant Diseases

Joshua Michel
September 7, 2023 9:30 AM

Harvest season is right around the corner and according to the latest...

Crop Production, Equipment and Machinery

Aaron Saeugling
August 28, 2023 10:01 PM

While it is no secret soybean disease has been more prevalent in soybean fields in southwest Iowa this month. However, not all the problems in soybeans can be attributed to disease incidence. I have received and observed an unusual pest this month, Dectes stem borer! Look at your soybeans...

Crop Production

Rebecca Vittetoe
August 23, 2023 8:27 AM

The rains earlier in August across much of the state and more moderate temperatures have been replaced by hotter and drier conditions. While some fields across the state look pretty good, others are showing more signs of stress here this week. Other common observations made in fields across the...

Crop Production

Erin Hodgson
August 22, 2023 7:45 AM

I received several questions about blister beetles in alfalfa hay over the weekend. I thought it might be helpful to review what they look like and provide a few management tactics to minimize the negative effects for animals.

There are at least four species in Iowa, including a) black, b...

Crop Production, Insects and Mites

Rebecca Vittetoe
August 8, 2023 4:31 PM

While some much welcomed rain fell across most of the state over the last week, parts of NE Iowa missed out on the rain and other parts saw 6+ inches of rainfall. From the field, aphids (in corn and soybeans), spider mites, soybean gall midge, concerns about tar spot, and downy mildew in...

Crop Production

Rebecca Vittetoe
August 1, 2023 9:55 PM

Soybean aphids, two-spotted spider mites, fungicide decisions despite little disease pressure, and the hot and dry conditions were some of the more common issues or questions Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Field Agronomists have seen or heard about in fields across the state over...

Crop Production

Aaron Saeugling
August 1, 2023 6:07 AM

We have now reached the critical period for maximizing yield for both corn and soybeans. I will focus on soybeans for this blog and how soil moisture affects moisture stress in beans and soybean yield. With recent rains across a sizable portion of Iowa in mid-July, soil moisture profiles changed...

Crop Production

Rebecca Vittetoe
July 25, 2023 10:50 PM

Limited rainfall, the hot weather this week, corn rootworm, weed escapes, insect defoliators, and questions on foliar fungicides have been the more common issues or questions Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Field Agronomists have seen or heard about over the last week. Read on for...

Crop Production

Rebecca Vittetoe
July 18, 2023 10:27 PM

Over the last week much needed rain was received, but it also unfortunately brought along wind and hail to some parts of the state. Other hot topics coming in from fields across the state this past week included corn rootworm, soybean gall midge, phytophthora in soybeans, tar spot, gray leaf...

Crop Production

Angie Rieck-Hinz
July 18, 2023 7:00 AM

Gentry Sorenson
July 18, 2023 7:00 AM

Meaghan Anderson
July 18, 2023 7:00 AM

Clarabell Probasco
July 18, 2023 7:00 AM

Check out the upcoming field days being offered around the state this August. These field days will feature a variety of topics ranging from strip-till and conservation to forage production and corn rootworm management.  

August 1, 2023 | Corn Rootworm Field Day...

Crop Production

Ashley Dean
July 14, 2023 11:51 AM

Erin Hodgson
July 14, 2023 11:51 AM

Meaghan Anderson
July 14, 2023 11:51 AM

Blister beetles are an occasional late-summer problem in Iowa alfalfa fields. The beetles feed on alfalfa and soybean foliage, but leaf loss is not of economic importance. The bigger concern with blister beetles is their toxicity to livestock when accidentally consumed in feed. The beetles...

Crop Production, Insects and Mites

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