The crop insurance planting dates have come and gone with barely a field planted for many farmers across Iowa in stark contrast to the last two springs. Cooler temperatures in early April and persistent rainfall has prevented much progress, as indicated by the USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report on April 13. Rainfall totals over four inches in the past two weeks for a good swath of the state from southwest to northeast has replenished soil moisture.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Crops Team reached thousands of farmers, agribusiness professionals and crop advisers during the 2025–2026 winter season through a wide range of educational programs focused on timely crop production issues and decision‑making.

Black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon) is an occasional pest of corn and soybean in Iowa. This insect cannot overwinter here, so spring storms deliver moths to Iowa each year. Because they are migratory, their occurrence in the state is sporadic, and scouting is essential to determine whether fields require treatment for black cutworm larvae. Trapping for moths is a relatively simple way to understand which regions may be at higher risk and predict when larvae may be active in fields.