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.

New Field Guide for Soybean Cyst Nematode Management Available

November 24, 2008
Image of field guide to SCN management

By Rich Pope, Department of Plant Pathology

Knowing how to recognize and manage soybean cyst nematode is the sole focus of a new pocket guide authored by Iowa State University Extension Nematologist Greg Tylka, in partnership between Iowa State University and the Iowa Soybean Association.


Aerate Grain NOW

November 21, 2008
Table of maximum storage time for corn and soybeans

By Charles Hurburgh, Department Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering


The current cold weather provides some relief from the wet grain issues that have plagued farmers in 2008.  There is considerable corn in storage over 18 percent moisture, with some over 20 percent. And there is still wet corn in the field that likely will not dry any more.


Use of Fungicides to Control Soybean Foliar Diseases: a 6-year Summary

November 18, 2008
Table of the summary of fungicide trails conducted at the ISU Research Farms during 2003-2008

By XB Yang, S.S. Navi, and John Shriver, Department of Plant Pathology and Ken Pecinovsky,  Northeast Iowa Research and Demonstration Farm

Prior to 2005, foliar diseases were not of major concern to soybean production in Iowa and much of the north central region, except for soybean seed production.  However, since the report of Asian soybean rust in South America in 2001 and then in the United States in 2004, interest in fungicide applications in soybean production has increased consistently, making use of fungicides on soybeans a hot topic. 

Fall and Winter Management of Alfalfa

November 11, 2008

Steve Barnhart, Department of Agronomy

Rain in May and early June this year put most alfalfa producers behind two to three weeks for their first, and correspondingly their second, third, and sometimes forth cuttings. Now in mid-November, producers can look back on the season, determine if there are still some management decisions to make and guess about winter survival.

Corn Breakage Increases with More Drying

November 6, 2008

By Charles Hurburgh, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

As we observed a few weeks ago, the 2008 corn crop is wetter and lower in test weight than average corn. Long, cool growing seasons produce high yields but the corn is wet and soft, with more soft white starch. This means lower test weight, and reduced storability as mold can invade the softer textured kernels more rapidly. It also takes more energy to remove water from softer corn.

ICM News Is Connection to Crop and Weather Radio Interviews

November 4, 2008

Integrated Crop Management (ICM) News is your link to the latest crop and weather interviews conducted by Doug Cooper, Iowa State University Extension communication specialist. Every Monday, Cooper visits with Extension climatologist Elwynn Taylor, integrated pest management specialist Rich Pope, and corn agronomist Roger Elmore or soybean agronomist Palle Pedersen. Once a month, Chad Hart, ISU grain markets specialist, is included in the program. Together, they take a look at the latest Iowa Crops and Weather report and the most recent USDA's Crop Production report.

A Weather Summary for the 2008 Growing Season

October 30, 2008
Graph of base 50 degree F degree days vs. degree day departure from normal

By Rich Pope, Department of Plant Pathology

Wet and cold! That is how many people will recall the 2008 growing season. 


And in a general sense that is a good description, as the Iowa statewide accumulation of crop growth degree days was about 130 behind the 30 year average, and rainfall was more than 7 inches above normal. But when we examine each by crop reporting district through the season, the story gets a bit more complex, depending on where you are looking.


Corn Quality Issues in 2008 - Moisture and Test Weight

October 24, 2008

By Charles Hurburgh, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering; Roger Elmore, Department of Agronomy

Weather this fall has benefited the corn crop by allowing late planted corn to mature. Much of the state recently experienced its first killing frost. The USDA October yield estimate of 172 bushels per acre in Iowa surprised many. If this is the final yield, 2008 will produce the third highest yield recorded, behind the 173 bushels per acre of 2005 and 181 bushels per acre in 2004.

Corn Quality Issues in 2008 – Storage Management

October 24, 2008
Table of maximum storage time for corn and soybeans

By Charles Hurburgh, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering; Roger Elmore, Department of Agronomy


Grains have a shelf life just like any food product. Shelf life is primarily determined by moisture content and temperature. It is gradually used through the time before use, and each operation or storage regime consumes a portion of the life.


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