Mark Licht
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.
Subscribe to RSS FeedNow is the time to make plans for cover crop planting if you have not already done so. There are several cover crop species that are often talked about, however, cereal rye,...
Across most of Iowa, corn is near V6 stage and much of Iowa is under some degree of drought stress. The exception being extreme southeast Iowa. Being at V6 stage means corn ear initiation is occurring and in the coming week the number of kernel rows on the ear will be determined. This is the...
The dry conditions are causing some to see what is known as “floppy” corn (aka rootless corn). Rootless corn is easy to diagnose – simply dig up plants that are not standing erect like they should be, then gently knock off the soil to get a look at the roots. With rootless corn you will see the...
Sandy to clay soils have different hydrological properties such as wilting point, field capacity, and saturation level (Fig 1a). Wilting point means no water is available to plants, field capacity means near optimum moisture for plant growth, and saturation means the soil pores are full of water...
The Forecast and Assessment of Cropping sysTemS (FACTS) webpage is evolving. When it was launched in 2015, FACTS provided forecasts soil moisture, nitrogen, phenology, and crop yields at two Iowa locations. In 2016, it was expanded to six Iowa...
Planting conditions in April were pretty good for planting. In fact, there were many reports of planting in early April. Unfortunately, April was much cooler and dryer than normal. Early planted corn and soybean took longer to germinate and emerge because of these cooler conditions. Additionally...
While the warm weather has finally arrived for planting season, dry soil is becoming an increasing concern in parts of the state. In addition to concerns about subsoil moisture, some fields have had significant surface drying, particularly in areas with more tillage this spring. Dry soil...
The concern for not having enough water during the 2021 growing season is increasing. Observations from Iowa fields (i.e., deep soil samples and tile drainage experiments), and analytical frameworks (i.e., Drought monitor) indicate below normal moisture in parts of Iowa. Here, we benchmark the...
With cool weather conditions potentially causing delays in cover crop termination, what options are available? Cereal rye ahead of soybean is not nearly as problematic. While planting green may not be advised for beginning cover crop users, more experienced cover crop users have...
Choosing a corn seeding rate is as much art as it is science because soil conditions and seed quality can greatly affect the outcome. The goal is to choose a seeding rate that produces an economical optimal yield as opposed to the maximum yield. A seeding rate has to factor in seed quality,...
The nice weather and dry conditions have led some to think about the start of planting. My opinion, it is too early. Remember crop insurance replant dates are not until April 11. Use the extra days to get plans in order and a little rest and relaxation before the pace picks up.
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Over the last 5-years the Northwest Research Farm near Sutherland, IA has been conducting row spacing by plant population through cultivar trials with two different brands. The trials were not designed to compare brands, but rather provide another comparison to evaluate soybean row spacing and...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
The Integrated Crop Management (ICM) conference and Crop Advantage Series programs have been mainstays of Extension agronomic programming for many years. It is regretful that because of the COVID pandemic, those programs will NOT be offered this coming December and January. We are offering a new...
Save money and time this fall by planning for no-till soybean planting next spring. Many farmers are moving away from tillage, due to a host of detrimental environmental factors involved with tillage as well as reducing cost of soybean production.
Soybean yields are not impacted by no-...