Integrated Crop Management News

Links to these articles are strongly encouraged. Articles 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 articles are used in any other manner, permission from the author is required.

April 6 Crops and Weather Report

April 7, 2009

Doug Cooper , Iowa State University Extension communications specialist, interviewed Elwynn Taylor, extension climatologist;  Rich Pope, integrated pest management specialist; and Palle Pedersen, soybean agronomist on April 6 for the weekly crops and weather update.

The snow that fell over the weekend is not unusual for April in Iowa says Elwynn Taylor. In fact, he tells us, the most recent storm could have been a lot worse if the early rain had been snow.

Tips for Managing Corn Residue in Continuous Corn

March 27, 2009

By Mahdi Al-Kaisi, Department of Agronomy and Mark Hanna, Department of Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering

Many farmers planning for continuous corn this season are having spring tillage questions because wet conditions and late harvest in many parts of Iowa delayed tillage operations last fall.  Farmers now want to know how to approach managing the corn residue, given the potential wet soil conditions and subsequent delay getting to tillage operations this spring.

March 23 Crops and Weather Report

March 25, 2009

By Doug Cooper, Extension Communications and External Relations

Iowa State University Extension climatologist Elwynn Taylor, integrated pest management specialist Rich Pope and soybean agronomist Palle Pedersen stopped by the studio this week to visit about weather and crops issues.

Elwynn Taylor said dry fields gave way to wet fields as a series of storms moved through Iowa recently. The long term weather points at the possibility of a drier spring this year, and that, Taylor says, would be welcome news.

No-Till is Better Choice for Soybean after Corn

March 16, 2009
Table of soybean yield with different tillage systems from 6 different locations in Iowa

By Mahdi Al-Kaisi , Department of Agronomy and Mark Hanna, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering


Conventional tillage, whether for corn or soybean, generally has shown limited advantage in yield and economic returns. The exception is a few cases with corn that involve lack of drainage and wet, cold soil conditions.


March 16 Crops and Weather Report

March 16, 2009

Doug Cooper, Extension communication specialist, gets the latest on the crops and weather outlook from Iowa State University Extension climatologist Elwynn Taylor, integrated pest management specialist Rich Pope, and corn agronomist Roger Elmore.

Elwynn Taylor updates us on what hopefully is the last polar outbreak that may enter Iowa this week. He also says weather conditions this spring could be more favorable than last year, but that is not a sure thing.

March 9 Crops and Weather Report

March 10, 2009

On March 9, Doug Cooper , Extension communications specialist, interviewed Iowa State University Extension climatologist Elwynn Taylor, integrated pest management specialist Rich Pope and soybean agronomist Palle Pedersen for the weekly crops and weather update.

Extension climatologist Elwynn Taylor tells Cooper the weather patterns are showing an increased risk of a wet spring this year--not unlike 2008. The summer weather could be dry depending on the status of La Niña.

Moving to No-tillage: Challenges and Opportunities

March 5, 2009
Image of soybeans planted in no-till

By Mahdi Al-Kaisi, Department of Agronomy


Wet conditions last fall and potential wet conditions this spring make this a good time to consider tillage choices. It is a good time to examine the value of no-till or strip-tillage, especially for producers that have not tried these methods. Before making tillage choices in the field, producers should consider their overall approach to tillage management.


March 2 Crops and Weather Report

March 3, 2009

Listen to Extension communication specialist Doug Cooper’s March 2 interviews with Iowa State University Extension climatologist Elwynn Taylor, integrated pest management specialist Rich Pope and corn agronomist Roger Elmore.

Taylor reports the National Weather Service (NWS) is looking at more favorable weather for the center of the country during the next few weeks. He says La Niña appears to be weakening, but right now is still impacting Iowa's late winter and early spring weather.

Anhydrous Ammonia Applicators Have New Safety Issue

March 2, 2009

By Mark Hanna, Department of Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering

High nitrogen fertilizer prices have producers and ag-input suppliers searching for ways to reduce costs and gain efficiency. Some anhydrous ammonia applicators have responded by modifying equipment to allow control of flow to individual sections of an applicator, or even to individual knives. These modifications are being made in order to avoid unwanted N application on overlapping rows, near field boundaries, or into waterways. 

Signs of Spring: Robins, Vultures, and Planting Corn

March 2, 2009

By Roger Elmore, Department of Agronomy
Spring is imminent.  Last week two robins sang high in one of our neighbor’s oak trees.  Soon  a trio formed! We’ve endured a long, robin-less winter at least in northern Story County, Iowa.  Recent news articles actually suggest though that robins often overwinter in Iowa and that Turkey Vultures are actually a better spring signal! 

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