Outside of northwest Iowa, which has missed more of the recent rains, field activity across the state has either been limited or brought to a halt due to the wet conditions. With much of the state waiting to get back into the field and get a start on planting, ISU Extension and Outreach field agronomists provide updates on what they are seeing and what’s happening in their respective regions across the state.

A few months ago, we discussed the upcoming 2026 modernization of the U.S. coordinate system and what it could mean for precision agriculture. As the transition date approaches, more details have been released, and it’s time for Iowa growers to start preparing.

In 2026, the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) will officially replace:

Before making pesticide applications this spring, make sure to check areas near fields to prevent off-target pesticide exposure. Herbicide labels often require applicators to consult a sensitive crop registry to identify nearby non-target plants, beehives, or organic farms before application. For example, the dicamba products Engenia, Stryax and Tavium require documentation that the sensitive crop registry was checked.