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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Subscribe to RSS FeedOver the last week, we've seen a lot of active weather across the state. In addition to tornadoes, wind, and heavy rains, areas across the state also got hit with hail.
Waiting 7-10 days after a hail event helps give the crops a chance to recover and makes it easier to assess the damage...
Moth flights into Iowa were drastically reduced during Week 8 (May 19 to May 25), partly because of fewer moths but also likely due to the fact that recent storms took out several traps across the state. Our cooperators recorded only 51 black cutworm (BCW) moths and, for the first time since...
This is part one of a three-part series on nitrogen management this spring. Read part two, “Navigating Nitrogen Management in Wet Spring...
This is part three of a three-part series on nitrogen management this spring. Read part one “Navigating Nitrogen Management in Wet Spring...
This is part two of a three-part series on nitrogen management this spring. Read part one, “Navigating Nitrogen Management in Wet Spring...
While the title is written with some jest, the sentiment is one I’ve been thinking about a lot this spring. With few highly effective postemergence herbicide options for waterhemp control, farmers must prioritize residual herbicides as a first line of defense. While there are numerous residual...
Black cutworm (BCW) moth flights seemed to wind down a bit during Week 7 (May 12 to May 18). Our cooperators recorded 106 BCW moths around the state. Only one significant flight (Buena Vista County, May 14) occurred during Week 7, which is a big change from previous weeks where several...
The weather provided a window for farmers to get back in fields and continue to make planting progress. Other field activities in the last week included tillage, herbicide applications, harvesting first cutting of alfalfa, and rotary hoe operations in areas dealing with soil crusting. From the...
Last week at our Field Crop Scout School one resource that we shared was a list of crop scouting related apps and web-based resources. There are a lot of apps and web-based resources out there that can be helpful when it comes to crop scouting.
Check out the list we complied below or...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking for public comment on Dicamba, Glufosinate-P, and Acephate.
New Use for Dicamba Product
Bayer CropScience has requested the EPA to register a new use of dicamba on dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton.
Background...
You may have heard of a special entomological event happening this year. It’s true, a rare “double brood emergence” of periodical cicadas is happening in 2024. The last time this happened was in 1803 when Thomas Jefferson was the US president. Read on to learn more!
Brood XIII, called the...
Week 6 (May 5 to May 11) brought fewer moths into Iowa than the previous week, but cooperators still recorded 135 black cutworm (BCW) moths around the state. Five significant flights occurred last week, adding to the numerous significant flights that have already occurred this season.
Western and northern corn rootworms are serious corn pests in Iowa and the Corn Belt. These pests readily adapt to management tactics, especially in continuous corn production. The larvae consume corn roots, thereby reducing nutrient and water uptake, and cause stalk lodging. The adults may also...
Last week was another wet week with rainfall totals ranging from just over 0.5 inch to 2.5+ inches of rain across the state. Folks were finally able to get back in fields late last week and over the weekend to do tillage, plant, spray, and even get hay cut and baled or cover crops harvested for...
Planting progress started off strong, but recent rain events across the state have brought it to a screeching halt. It seems like fields get just about fit to get back in them to plant and it rains again. According to the May 6th USDA Crop Progress Report, corn planting was at 47%...
With all the alfalfa weevils, we’ve had quite a few questions on how do you know if a field is a threshold to take action? Or I’ve used my sweep net, what’s the threshold per sweep for alfalfa weevil?
First off, a sweep net can be a helpful tool to determine if alfalfa weevils are present...
With the quick planting that happened the week of April 22-26 and the lack of field activity since due to high winds and rain, some fields may have crops emerging that have had no preemergence herbicide. While some herbicides can be applied prior to or after crop emergence, many have...
Estimating First Crop Alfalfa Harvest using PEAQ
Alfalfa growth and development is affected by many factors, including temperature, soil moisture, stand age and even cultivar. We have had a warmer and milder winter leading into spring, causing earlier alfalfa green-up and...
Recent rain events have put a delay on much planting progress and other field activities across the state of Iowa. Planting considerations, alfalfa weevil, cover crop termination, and weed management have been some of the common questions or topics reported by ISU Extension and Outreach...
Is it Time to Graze Your Pastures?
As spring rolls in, our cool-season pastures start showing signs of life and look more enticing than the muddy feeding areas. But before we let our livestock loose, it's crucial to assess whether pastures are truly ready. While the...
For the second year in a row, alfalfa weevil is the most prominent spring pest for farmers. Unprecedented populations south of I-80 have been reported in 2024 and are proving to be much more severe and widespread than in previous years. We are predicting northern Iowa counties to also experience...
Black cutworm moth captures spiked again during Week 5 (April 28 to May 4). A total of 182 BCW moths were reported by our cooperators during Week 5. The most moths were reported on April 29 (81 moths), but captures were scattered throughout the week. Six significant flights occurred last week,...
With technology playing such an integral part of our ability to effectively manage crop production, it makes sense that it also plays a key role in effective scouting. One of the simplest technologies (now, anyway) is taking a good picture to share with a trusted advisor, a farmer client, or...
As pastures and hayfields begin to green-up, we need to start thinking about our fertilization program. Forages, just like row crops, need fertilizer to be productive.
We will quickly discuss fertilizer applications for your alfalfa and grass hay, and for your pastures.
In each...
Rainy springs can keep many producers out of the crop fields for days at a time. This provides a great window of opportunity to get out into pastures, take a look at the current weed pressure, and begin implementing management tactics to get weeds under control.
Early spring weed control...