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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 FeedWith the 2018 growing season coming to an end, it’s time to bust out the record books and begin logging the most prevalent diseases we’ve seen this year in Iowa soybeans. It’s important to review these diseases so that farmers, agronomists and all of our partners can make informed decisions...
With all eyes now on harvested grain quality and scouting for mycotoxins as a result of ear rot, it's important that producers and agronomists have access to all the information possible, on whichever medium they prefer to use.
An application is available on both Android and iOS that can...
A web-based national Worker Protection Standard (WPS) course to qualify trainers to train both workers and handlers is now...
Corn and soybean harvest has started across many parts of Iowa. Some areas of the state have swung between warm-dry and cool- wet weather within the last few days. With more rain in the forecast, a few producers may be wondering about how fast corn will dry down in the field in the coming weeks...
The University of Illinois, Urbana, is seeking assistance from its friendly neighbor to the west, the corn-state of Iowa, in locating samples of tar spot in corn. This is part of the university’s new research project investigating the genetic variability of the tar spot pathogen.
Tar spot...
It's Labor Day weekend, that means it's time for me to see what's happening at the first three Palmer amaranth infestations in western Iowa. The infestations (Harrison, Fremont, and Page Counties) were first reported in 2013. Harrison County had two fields (approximately 50 acres) with...
The finding of mile-a-minute weed near Knoxville, and the subsequent request for reports of additional infestations, has led to a flurry of calls regarding potential findings. Fortunately, none of the reports have been positive, but we appreciate people paying attention to plants in the...
Another contest is in the books, and once again we provided a sufficient challenge to prevent anyone from earning a perfect score. In the Professional Division, two-time defending champion Cindy Recker was narrowly edged out by Karen Stiles, last year’s winner in the General Division. Both...
In June, as part of the annual Iowa 4-H Youth Conference, 13 students participated in the CSI: Crop Science Investigation workshop.
Students who participated...
Join us for the fall field day at the Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm on September 6, 2018
Mark your calendar for the September 6 Fall Field Day at the Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm near Crawfordsville.
This year’s fall field day will feature the following topics:
- “A Season in Review” by Myron Rees, Southeast Research Farm Superintendent...
Late season weed escapes, off-target herbicide movement, sightings of soybean aphids, and a little bit of frogeye leaf spot were some of the common issues that Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field agronomists saw in...
Our analysis shows that soybean more has been more adversely affected by the 2018 weather compared to corn. Soybean yield potential has dropped while corn yield potential is still high. We are in the midst of critical corn grain filling now and soybean grain filling will be starting soon....
Gray leaf spot, spotting of soybean aphids, and off-target herbicide movement seem to be common and big issues that Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field agronomists saw across the state this past week. Read on for more...
Mile-a-minute weed (Persicaria perfoliata) is an invasive species in the Polygonaceae (smartweed) family that is native to Asia. It is believed to have been introduced to the United States in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, but the initial introductions failed to form permanent...
This past week brought drier conditions across the state. Northern Iowa appreciated the chance to dry out some, but parts of southern Iowa could really benefit from some much needed rain. Check out what Iowa State University Extension and Outreach ...
Humans are making more sound, and it can interfere with animals finding mates, food and other essential behaviors. Most of the research showing impacts of human-generated sound is largely focused on vertebrates. Biologists at Mississippi State University were curious about sound potentially...
The warm conditions continue to push crops along. Across the state we are approximately...
Off-target injury associated with dicamba application in dicamba-resistant soybean was a significant problem in the Cornbelt during 2017 (A final report on dicamba-injured soybean acres). The increase in...
Strong storms rolled across the state again bringing more heavy rain and even some damaging wind to areas. Despite the flooding in some areas and drought in the southern part of the state, 78% of the corn crop and 76% of the soybean crop was rated in the good to excellent condition based on...
The saga continues with areas of northern Iowa receiving too much rain while southern Iowa continues to be on the drier side. Rainfall totals across the state ranged anywhere from nearly 10 inches in NW Iowa to less than half an inch in parts of southern Iowa. According to...
Parts of Iowa received some much needed rainfall last week, but unfortunately for some areas the storms that rolled through also brought along hail and caused flooding. Overall, crops are looking good across the...
The Iowa State University Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program is expanding its social media footprint to now include Facebook. If you follow our content on Twitter (@ISU_IPM) then be sure to give our page a like to stay connected.
Through...
Yesterday’s heavy rains that marched across large part of central and north central Iowa coupled with recent storm systems across other parts of the state have resulted in significant areas of ponding as well as hail injury.
This week, I’ve had a number of people tell me they spotted Japanese beetle. I was initially surprised, because I track degree days to predict adult emergence every summer and it seemed a bit early. According to the ISU Agronomy Mesonet, adults could be emerging...
While parts of Iowa are too wet and have experienced hail, wind, and flooding over the past week other parts of the state could desperately benefit from some rainfall. Despite the drastic differences in moisture levels across the state, according to...