by Rich Pope, Corn and Soybean Initiative
The 2009 growing season finished off May a bit cool, with degree day accumulations for only one of the nine crop reporting districts, west central, besting its long-term average. May was marginally cooler in the east, although that is not a problem, and crops are off to a great start statewide.
As we projected, black cutworm larvae were large enough to damage corn in southern Iowa by May 25 - with light black cutworm feeding on corn noted last week in southeast and south central Iowa. These infestations have been light and sporadic, but they warrant monitoring.
Weedy fields are a concern statewide. Timely and appropriate weed management, especially in no-till fields, can be economically significant.
Rich Pope is a program specialist with responsibilities with Integrated Pest Management. Pope can be contacted by email at ropope@iastate.edu or by calling (515)294-5899.
Links to this article are strongly encouraged, and this article may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Integrated Crop Management News, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. If this article is to be used in any other manner, permission from the author is required. This article was originally published on June 3, 2009. The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed.