Adam Sisson

Adam Sisson is an extension specialist with the Iowa State University Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program and a Certified Crop Adviser. Sisson focuses on the development of publications and other educational resources for farmers, agribusiness, and students. He received his bachelor's degree in agronomy and environmental studies in 2006 and a master's degree in sustainable agriculture in 2009; both from Iowa State University. 

October 18, 2023 3:14 PM

An updated Corn and Soybean Field Guide is now available from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

This 236-page pocket-sized guide (3-3/4" x 6") combines corn and soybean integrated pest management information in one publication for ease of use by corn and soybean farmers,...

Crop Production, Insects and Mites, Plant Diseases
March 18, 2022 12:56 PM

As the snow melts and planters are made ready for spring, it is also time to think about crop scouting. The Crop Protection Network has many resources for new crop scouts or summer interns. These resources can also provide a...

Insects and Mites, Plant Diseases, Weeds
April 21, 2021 7:50 AM

The Crop Protection Network (CPN) has produced a new web book called Fungicide Use in Field Crops. Fungicides are an important crop protection tool for modern...

Pesticide Education, Plant Diseases
July 24, 2020 10:53 AM

Crop scouts and field researchers now have a new tool at their disposal to help correctly estimate disease severity and insect defoliation in field crops. The new online tool has been created by the Crop Protection Network and can be...

Insects and Mites, Plant Diseases
July 14, 2020 8:38 AM

Hailstones damaged corn and soybean in multiple locations across Iowa on July 11, 2020.  Fungicide use after hail injury is sometimes suggested as a way to benefit damaged plants. In order to help determine if fungicide use after hail is beneficial, Iowa State University undertook multiple years...

Crop Production, Plant Diseases
June 6, 2019 8:09 AM

Moth trapping began April 1 and came to an end May 31. This year, we had more than 45 trap locations and 42 cooperators across the state. These cooperators provide us data on black cutworm (BCW) and true armyworm (TAW) moth captures at their locations, which we use to...

Crop Production, Insects and Mites
May 13, 2019 4:21 PM

This week we begin Week 7 of moth trapping in Iowa. Significant captures of black cutworm (BCW) have occurred in several counties during weeks 3-6 of trapping (bold and * in Table 1). Significant captures occur when 8 or more BCW moths are caught in a wing-style pheromone trap over 2 nights....

Crop Production, Insects and Mites
April 19, 2019 5:00 PM

Each year, Iowa State University’s IPM team monitors field crop pests to help inform farmers and scouting personnel about pest activity in Iowa. This year, our moth trapping network includes black cutworm (BCW) and true armyworm (TAW), two migratory pests of crops in Iowa that are unpredictable...

Crop Production, Insects and Mites
February 22, 2019 3:01 PM

The IPM team at Iowa State University has been monitoring for field crop pests for a long time. The target pests have changed over the years, but the goal always remains the same: help inform farmers about pest activity in Iowa. One long-standing...

Insects and Mites
December 12, 2018 1:20 PM

Winter has nearly arrived. The fields are harvested. Equipment has been tucked in, and the evaluation of the season is well underway. While the new year brings the promise of a great crop season in 2019, it’s important to remember that while we recharge for the winter, so do field crop pests....

Crop Production, Insects and Mites, Pesticide Education, Plant Diseases, Weeds, Herbicide Resistance
June 8, 2018 9:41 AM

Widespread hail occurred in Iowa on 6 June 2018, causing damage to many acres of corn and soybean plants. At this time, most of the corn is in the V6 to V8 growth stages, while soybeans are at the V1 to V3 growth stages. Some areas of the state also received hail injury earlier this season....

Crop Production, Plant Diseases
May 22, 2018 8:42 AM

True armyworm is a migratory pest that arrives in Iowa from southern states and lays eggs on living tissue. Adult females are attracted to fields with green plants, particularly weedy grasses or living cover crops. These plants serve as initial feeding sites for larvae. When these original host...

Crop Production, Insects and Mites
February 27, 2018 2:12 PM

The IPM team at Iowa State University has been monitoring for field crop pests for a long time. The target pests have changed over the years, but the goal always remains the same: help inform farmers about pest activity in Iowa. One long-standing...

Crop Production, Insects and Mites
February 21, 2018 2:25 PM

The new crop season is right around the corner, and we want you to be prepared for yield-reducing disease, insect and weed issues! ISU Extension publications are great field scouting resources and provide a wealth of information for identifying production issues in your fields.

Four ISU...

Insects and Mites, Plant Diseases, Weeds
February 14, 2018 2:32 PM

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach published the Field Crop Scouting book as an online learning tool for crop scouts and other ag professionals in Iowa. This interactive textbook allows individuals to acquire knowledge about multiple crop scouting topics to help create stronger crop...

Crop Production, Insects and Mites, Plant Diseases, Weeds
February 5, 2018 1:34 PM

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has published an updated version of the Soybean Diseases publication to help farmers and other professionals in the agriculture industry identify and scout for disease threats to soybean production in Iowa. The publication includes scouting tips,...

Plant Diseases
October 13, 2017 9:53 AM

Cover of newly revised Soybean Diseases from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

A new version of the Iowa State University...

Plant Diseases
August 14, 2017 12:07 PM

Six teams of Iowa youth from across the state participated in the seventh annual Iowa Crop Scouting Competition on July 31 at the ISU Extension and Outreach...

Crop Production, Insects and Mites, Plant Diseases, Weeds
May 23, 2017 12:49 PM

In 2017, ISU is reporting black cutworm (BCW) peak flights by county and providing degree day resources for more personalized cutting prediction dates using actual accrued degree days for a specific location. We first reported on BCW peak flights in the...

Insects and Mites
April 5, 2017 11:42 AM

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has published the Field Crop Scouting book as an online learning tool for students and ag professionals in Iowa. This interactive textbook allows individuals to acquire knowledge about crop scouting topics such as corn and soybean growth stages,...

Crop Production, Insects and Mites, Plant Diseases, Weeds
March 23, 2017 4:24 PM

The Iowa State University Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program is pleased to present the 7th annual Crop Scouting Competition for Iowa youth.


High school students (those completing grades 9-12) from Iowa are invited to compete and showcase their crop scouting...

Crop Production, Insects and Mites, Plant Diseases, Weeds
March 1, 2017 10:55 AM

The new crop season is right around the corner, and we want you to be prepared!

Two publications have new bundle discounts—the Weed Identification Field Guide, 2nd Edition, and the new Corn and Soybean Field Guide, recently published in fall 2016.

Deals...

Plant Diseases, Weeds
April 5, 2016 1:39 PM

Bean leaf beetle adults are susceptible to cold weather and most will die when the air temperature falls below 14°F (-10°C). However, they have adapted to winter by protecting themselves under plant debris and loose soil. An overwintering survival model developed at ISU in 2000 is helpful for...

Insects and Mites