Finding the first Japanese beetle each June is a point of pride for some, including folks in my lab. They found adults in corn this week. Hurrah!? Checking the accumulating degree days for 2025 confirms they should be emerging all throughout Iowa. They need about 1,030 growing degree days (base 50°F) to complete development and will continue emergence until around 2,150 degree days.  

Weeds have been a continual challenge in recent years, but this year has to have been one of the most challenging in recent memory. We've heard of numerous issues: dry soil conditions, herbicide drift and intense winds, preemergence herbicide injury, sprayer clean-out problems, waterhemp control issues with preemergence and postemergence herbicides. How do we better manage some of these challenges that don't seem to be going away?