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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.

September 20, 2016 10:16 AM

Sept. 18-24 is National Farm Safety and Health Week and Iowa Farm Safety and Health Week. Clarke McGrath, on-farm research and extension coordinator for the Iowa Soybean Research Center and extension agronomist at...

Crop Production, Grain Handling and Storage
September 19, 2016 6:42 AM

I tell students in my ID class that weed identification is easy since very few species have traits that allow them to persist in disturbed habitats, thus you run into the same weeds over and over. After a few years in the business, you seldom encounter a weed you haven’t dealt with before. That...

Weeds
September 15, 2016 12:39 PM

On Sept. 8, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach hosted a fall field day at the ISU Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm near Crawfordsville, Iowa.

Crop Production
September 14, 2016 12:58 PM

Corn is nearing the end of its maturity here in northeast Iowa, where most of it is in between R5.75 (3/4 milk line) and R6 (physiological maturity), with the late planted fields at or past R5.5 (1/2 milk line). With all of the moisture that we’ve seen here in this area of the state, we have...

Crop Production
September 14, 2016 12:28 PM

During July and August, warm nights may accelerate maturity of corn to the detriment of yield. In most areas of Iowa, 2015 and 2016 were much alike for corn. In this case, nighttime temperatures may indeed be the major factor resulting in a yield improvement or diminished yield in 2016 since...

Crop Production
September 13, 2016 3:50 PM

The early signs of corn and soybean in particular ready for harvest are around the corner, and it is time to think about your next season conservation plans.

Soil Management
September 13, 2016 3:17 PM

On Sept. 8, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach hosted a fall field day at the ISU Northern Research and Demonstration Farm in Kanawha, Iowa. The fall field day focused on water quality topics, cover crops, corn rootworm, and included a wetland tour.

Crop Production
September 13, 2016 2:27 PM

Much of the corn that was planted in mid-April is mature or nearly mature. Some hybrids really progressed a lot this past week (Sept. 5-Sept. 12). Corn planted in early May and mid-May is about 1/2 to 3/4 milk line. I think I am seeing some of the...

Crop Production
September 13, 2016 1:00 PM

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field agronomists report crop conditions in south central, southeast, and east central Iowa.

Crop Production
September 12, 2016 12:48 PM

As you venture around the countryside this time of year you might notice the presence of a plant with white flowers along the edge of woodlands. There is a good chance this plant is white snakeroot, a perennial in the Asteraceae (sunflower family). The plant is adapted to shady areas with low...

Weeds
September 6, 2016 2:00 PM

I took my final Labor Day Palmer amaranth tour on Saturday, visiting the first three known sites of Palmer amaranth in western Iowa. First stop was Harrison County, ground zero for Iowa Palmer amaranth. The Palmer was identified in the summer of 2013 in a 50 acre fallow field; because of the...

Weeds
August 30, 2016 8:35 AM

The first step in managing any pest is correct identification. For Palmer amaranth, we have stressed the need to examine the inflorescences of female plants for the presence of the large, sharp bracts. Farmers/agronomists are not accustomed to examining flowers since almost all weeds can be...

Weeds
August 25, 2016 2:37 PM

Most people are aware of the multiple findings of Palmer amaranth across Iowa this month.  Palmer amaranth has been identified both in crop fields and in conservation plantings using native seed mixes.  Early detection is essential in order to prevent the new weed from getting permanently...

Weeds
August 18, 2016 8:46 AM

Mark you your calendars for the Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm's Fall Field Day, which is set for September 8. Registration will begin at 1 p.m. with the tour starting at 1:30 p.m. 

The featured stops for this year's field day include a presentation on UAVs with a demonstration...

Crop Production
August 15, 2016 9:38 AM

A new FACTS (Forecast and Assessment of Cropping sysTemS) forecast occurred on August 11, 2016. The forecast can be found here.

The weather this growing season continues to be the big story and can be characterized by two...

Crop Production
August 14, 2016 10:13 AM

Although rain moved us indoors, we had a great turnout for the 2016 Weed Identification Contest.  This year's winner in the Professional Division is long-time participant Cindy Recker of Peosta, IA.  Cindy, a member of ISU's Crop Judging Team when she was a student, correctly identified 37 of 40...

Weeds
August 8, 2016 4:46 PM

Several soybean diseases have become noticeable after recent rainfall across the state.

The following diseases are currently showing up regularly across Iowa soybean fields, depending on your location in the state:

Plant Diseases
August 5, 2016 11:57 AM

On Tuesday, Aug.2, eight teams of Iowa youth (grades 9-12) participated in the sixth annual Crop Scouting Competition. The teams were scored on their knowledge of crop insects, diseases, growth and development, and weed identification with a written test and field stations located throughout the...

Insects and Mites, Plant Diseases, Weeds
August 1, 2016 4:58 PM

Typically anthracnose is a disease associated with corn as a leaf blight or stalk rot, or ...

Plant Diseases
July 29, 2016 7:51 AM

Iowa Code 317 is the section of the Iowa Code that defines the Iowa Noxious Weed Law.  Chapter 317.1 is the piece of legislation that actually defines which weeds are classified as noxious.  I like to refer to this piece of legislation as the most out-of-date law in our great state, although I...

Weeds
July 28, 2016 9:59 AM

A recent visit to a field with three different planting dates showed the varied crop progress in my area.

The Useful to Usable website uses local information to predict crop development and crop maturity. The following...

Crop Production

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