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Dr. Erin Hodgson started working in the Department of Entomology, now the Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology, and Microbiology, at Iowa State University in 2009. She is a professor with extension and research responsibilities in corn and soybeans. She has a general background in integrated pest management (IPM) for field crops. Dr. Hodgson's current extension and research programs are focused on improving corn and soybean production by using IPM tactics to protect yield and increase overall farmer profits. Among other projects, she oversees insecticide efficacy evaluations for soybean aphids, Japanese beetles, and aphids in corn. Erin also helps manage emerging field crop pests and invasive species. 

Photo of Erin Hodgson

Daren Mueller is an associate professor and extension plant pathologist at Iowa State University. He is also the coordinator of the Iowa State Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. Daren received his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1996, and his master's degree and doctorate in Plant Pathology from the University of Illinois-Urbana in 1999 and 2001. Daren’s main research interests involve understanding the biology and management of field crop diseases. Daren is also a co-director of the North Central IPM Center and the Crop Protection Network.

Dr. Alison Robertson is a professor of plant pathology and microbiology. She provides extension education on the diagnosis and management of corn and soybean diseases. Her research interests include Pythium seedling disease of corn and soybean and Goss's wilt. Dr. Robertson received her bachelor's degree in plant pathology in 1991 from the University of Kwazulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, and came to the United States in 1999 to pursue a doctoral degree in plant pathology at Clemson University. She started working at Iowa State University in May 2004.

Alison Robertson photo

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. 

Dr. Mark Licht is an associate professor and extension cropping systems specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. His extension, research and teaching program is focused on how to holistically manage Iowa cropping systems to achieve productivity, profitability and environmental goals. Research is centered around varied aspects of soybean, corn and cover crop management as well as agronomic implications of precision technologies.

Meaghan Anderson is a field agronomist in central Iowa and an extension field specialist at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Educational programming is available for farmers, agribusinesses, pesticide applicators, certified crop advisors, and other individuals interested in crop production.

Areas of expertise include weed management, weed biology, cover crops, corn and soybean management, and integrated pest management.

Subscribe to the Central Iowa Crop Update for current topics and agriculture events in the area.

Meaghan Anderson

Dr Laura Jesse Iles directs the North Central IPM Center.   Dr. Iles has earned B.S. (Animal Ecology), M.S. (Entomology), and Ph.D. (Co-major in Entomology and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) degrees, all from Iowa State University.  In addition to directing the PIDC, Dr Iles serves as the entomology diagnostician. As part of the ISU Integrated Pest Management Program Dr. Iles provides educational training in the broad areas of consumer horticulture, biological control, and invasive insect management.

Laura Jesse Iles

Dr. Sotirios Archontoulis is an assistant professor of integrated cropping systems at the Department of Agronomy. His main research interests involve understanding complex Genotype by Management by Environment interactions and modeling various components of the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. Dr. Archontoulis's overall goal is to investigate practices that can increase the efficiency of system by means of increasing crop yields and simultaneously decreasing inputs or losses such as water and nitrogen. His approach combines field experimentation and use of mechanistic simulations models.

February 10, 2021 3:57 PM

The 2021 Herbicide Guide for Iowa Corn and Soybean Production is now available as a free download at the ISUEO Extension Store.

In addition to numerous tables providing information on the myriad of herbicides for use in corn...

Weeds
February 8, 2021 2:28 PM

The final February climatological outlooks from the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) show a strong signal for colder than average temperatures across much of the upper Midwest, including Iowa. On the precipitation front, there is an elevated...

Crop Production
February 8, 2021 10:48 AM

Hear the latest from Extension researchers across the United States who have recently summarized decades of research on soybean planting recommendations. A soybean planting consideration webinar will be hosted by Shawn Conley, Seth Naeve and Rachel Vann on Friday, February 19, 2021 from 11:45am...

Crop Production
February 2, 2021 1:38 PM

The countdown is on to the Midwest Cover Crops Council Conference! Organized by OMAFRA, the Ridgetown Business Development Centre, and SOILS AT GUELPH, this virtual conference running February 23-25 will have something for everyone! This year’s theme is Making Connections: Soil Health, Cover...

Crop Production
February 1, 2021 8:08 AM

CropsTV is entering week 10, the last week, however, there is still time to register. There are 3 live episodes this week to finish out CropsTV programming next week. You can still watch all 45 episodes on-demand through February. Learn more and ...

Crop Production
February 1, 2021 6:44 AM

Herbicide-resistant weeds are the norm in cropping systems reliant on herbicides, with more than 500 unique cases of resistance reported worldwide in 2019 (www.weedscience.org). However, the ability to accumulate multiple resistances within a single...

Herbicide Resistance
January 24, 2021 6:00 PM

CropsTV is entering week 9, however, do not let this hold you back from registering. There are 3 live episodes this week and another 3 live episodes to finish out CropsTV programming next week. While there is only 6 live episodes left, you can still watch all 45 episodes on-demand through...

Crop Production
January 17, 2021 6:00 PM

CropsTV is entering week 8. If you are not one of the more than 850 people already registered, do not be left out. You can still watch all 45 episodes of CropsTV. There are, 10 live episodes in the last 3 weeks of CropsTV and all 45 episodes will be available on-demand through February. Learn...

Crop Production
January 11, 2021 7:57 AM

With only four weeks left, you can still get all 45 episodes of CropsTV, 12 of which you can catch live. Sign up today to catch this weeks episodes or binge watch the 26 already posted episodes. There are up to 45 CCA continuing education units all available for a $45 season pass. Learn more and...

Crop Production
January 7, 2021 4:26 PM

Soybean gall midge is an emerging pest that only occurs in five Midwest states. Researchers in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota began investigating this pest in 2019 after widespread reports of significant injury raised awareness early in the 2018 growing season. Although a lot of...

Crop Production, Insects and Mites
January 7, 2021 12:44 PM

A new web book, Crop Scouting Basics For Corn And Soybean, by the Crop Protection Network (CPN) has just been released and is available for farmers, students, and agriculture industry to learn more about scouting and integrated pest...

Insects and Mites, Plant Diseases, Weeds
January 3, 2021 4:00 PM

There are only four weeks left to sign up for CropsTV and earn your CCA credits. Sign up today and you get 45 episodes (past episodes on-demand and new episodes coming for the next four weeks). Up to 45 CCA continuing education units all available for a $45 season pass. Learn more and ...

Crop Production
December 27, 2020 4:00 PM

CropsTV is the right spot for CCA credits. Sign up today and you get 45 episodes (past episodes on-demand and new episodes coming for the next five weeks). Up to 45 CCA continuing education units all available for a $45 season pass. Learn more and ...

Crop Production
December 20, 2020 11:02 PM

Don’t be left out, there is still time to register for CropsTV. Sign up today and you get 45 episodes (past episodes on-demand and new episodes coming for the next seven weeks). Up to 45 CCA continuing education units all available for a $45 season pass. Learn more and ...

Crop Production
December 13, 2020 3:17 PM

Do you need CCA credits? CropsTV is the place to get them. Register today and you get 45 episodes (past episodes on-demand and new episodes coming for the next eight weeks). Up to 45 CCA continuing education units all available for a $45 season pass. Learn more and ...

Crop Production
December 9, 2020 12:32 PM

The Iowa Crop Improvement Association (ICIA) have completed this year’s Iowa Crop Performance Tests (ICPT) and are now out with their full 2020 reports for both corn and soybeans.

ICPT provide direct, unbiased comparisons among a large number of corn...

Crop Production
December 6, 2020 3:36 PM

Have you registered for CropsTV yet? It is the place to go if you need CCA credits. Register today and you get 45 episodes (past episodes on-demand and new episodes coming for the next nine weeks). Up to 45 CCA continuing education units all available for a $45 season pass. Learn more and ...

Crop Production
December 4, 2020 3:07 PM

As farming slows down for the winter, many producers start thinking about what tools they might want to add to their farm for the next crop season. Throughout the year, we’ve shared information on equipment and products that you might be considering for your operation. If you are looking to...

Equipment and Machinery
November 24, 2020 8:36 PM

a brief overview of the effects of low levels of subsoil moisture, a dry spring and a dry summer on corn and soybean yields in Buena Vista and Sac counties in 2000.  

Crop Production
November 24, 2020 12:25 PM

CropsTV logo

The long-awaited registration...

Crop Production
November 23, 2020 1:09 PM

Unlike many recent years, fall has been very dry and soils continue to be dry over much of western Iowa.  The conditions have been excellent for harvest and fall fieldwork but troubling for soil moisture recharge.  Soils in eastern Iowa are generally better, though not wet.

Crop Production
November 23, 2020 12:15 PM

Drought and other weather events have ultimately caused a tight forage supply going into the winter-feeding period for multiple operations. Here are some tips to make the most of the forage resource you’re...

Crop Production
November 18, 2020 2:44 PM

The question has been asked 'how does the subsoil moisture levels from the fall of 2020 compare to other dry falls'.

 A look back shows the following levels of fall subsoil moisture from 2011 and 2012 - for the six sites where I survey soil moisture in northwest Iowa.

Rainfall -...

Crop Production
November 10, 2020 4:17 PM

As farmers across Iowa wrap up this year’s harvests, and as the year ends, thoughts turn toward next season, and what type of corn and soybean hybrids and varieties might be best in 2021.

This year saw a lot of variable weather events and patterns that occurred across the state. Between...

Crop Production
November 10, 2020 12:17 PM

Iowa State University has completed their fall survey of subsoil moisture in northwest Iowa.   The amount of subsoil moisture is sampled in the fall in six northwest Iowa counties.

Soil moisture is sampled to a depth of five foot in one-foot increments at six different pre-determined...

Crop Production

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