Aaron Saeugling
Every year soybean harvest has some type of challenge. Soybean is one crop where it is difficult to get all the conditions perfect. The use of draper style headers with soybean harvests allows harvest to begin earlier and handle green stems, green pods, and variable moisture.
Below are...
While it is no secret soybean disease has been more prevalent in soybean fields in southwest Iowa this month. However, not all the problems in soybeans can be attributed to disease incidence. I have received and observed an unusual pest this month, Dectes stem borer! Look at your soybeans...
The best way to break the drought is to write an article from extension about dry weather. So, here’s a stab at trying to make it rain.
Today’s hybrids have amazed farmers on their yields in dry environments. I often get questions about early season drought stress and corn rolling in the...
With the steady growth and production of pasture forages across the state comes the steady appearance and growth of the nuisance pasture weed, multiflora rose (MFR). Due to its unpalatability, most grazing species will not consume MFR, allowing it to continue growing throughout the season and...
The choice to foliar feed crops is a management decision each farmer needs to make based on personal preferences. Before considering these products, we need to first consider the return on the investment and chance for success.
When considering foliar fertilizing corn and soybean we need...
With April now here, the talk of planting will be a daily talking point for farmers across Iowa. With new genetics, more seed treatments, better tile drainage, farmers are pushing the planting date earlier for corn and soybean in Iowa. For 2023 the early crop insurance date is April 10th...
The dry conditions in parts of the state in 2022 put extra stress on pastures. Consequently, some pastures may have been grazed shorter than cattlemen would have liked. Additionally, nitrogen prices continue to rise as well as all costs associated with pasture management. As we head into the...
Frost seeding is the easiest and least expensive method for adding new legumes to a pasture. And now is the perfect time to be doing frost seeding.
The goal of frost seeding is to seed while the soil is frozen (usually first then in the morning) and get the seed in contact with bare soil...
Chopping silage during rapid drying conditions always bring up the question of “How much water do I add?” The short answer: It is practically impossible to add enough to get to your desired moisture level.
To add one point of moisture for each ton of silage you would need to add seven...
The unprecedented August 10 derecho storm event has caused significant damage to Iowa corn fields. If it’s decided to proceed with harvesting the field for grain, several operational changes may increase performance and productivity of the combine.
Planting season will soon be upon us, despite the current pandemic. This ICM Blog will discuss a few key things to focus on regarding planter set-up as we approach the 2020 planting season. For a video version of this article, see...
In my previous post, I discussed six key factors to keep in mind when considering hybrid choices for 2017, including: cost, disease tolerance, insect package...
Harvest is underway! Long days and short nights in the combine, tractor and truck give farmers time to reflect. Key things to remember from 2016 are the wet spring, dry June, wet and late summer, and early fall. With commodity prices lower than past years farmers need to begin developing budgets...