Meaghan Anderson

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
February 13, 2018 9:10 AM

Farmers and agriculture suppliers will want to attend the Southeast Iowa Agricultural Research Association annual meeting at the Johnson County Extension office in Iowa City on Thursday, March 1, 2018 beginning at 10:00 a.m., according to association president Jeff Ellis.

Following a...

Crop Production
August 15, 2017 12:49 PM

For the first time in recent history, a contestant successfully defended their title in the Professional Division at the State Fair Weed ID Contest.  Cindy Recker of Peosta repeated as champion of the Professional Division, Karen Stiles of Des Moines won the General Division, and Henric Krause...

Weeds
August 10, 2017 8:34 AM

Seeding Cover Crops in Dry Conditions

We are quickly approaching the time of year when we aerially seed cover crops into standing corn and soybeans.  Earlier seeding allows for more growth and consequently more biomass to protect soils from erosion. It also allows the opportunity to...

Crop Production
July 28, 2017 4:09 PM

Observations across several counties in southeast and south central Iowa show that, despite some recent rain events and high humidity, twospotted spider mites are persisting in both corn and soybean fields across the area.  These insect-like pests can be very difficult to identify, so we’ve got...

Crop Production, Insects and Mites
July 24, 2017 12:11 PM

As of February 2017, Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) had been found in 49 of Iowa’s 99 counties.  A native of the American southwest, Palmer amaranth is more competitive than common waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus), a pigweed native to Iowa.  These two species are two...

Weeds
July 19, 2017 8:13 AM

The 2017 State Fair Weed Identification Contest will be held on Friday, August 11, from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM.  Contestants can show up anytime during this period and complete the task at their own pace.  

The contest is held outside of the John Deere Agriculture Building, but moves indoors...

Weeds
June 28, 2017 9:12 PM

Farmers, ag retailers, and certified crop advisers gathered at the Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm on June 22 for the research farm association’s annual spring field day.  Myron Rees, farm superintendent, kicked off the field day by sharing a farm and crop update with everyone. Some...

Crop Production
October 6, 2016 7:09 AM

Palmer amaranth has been identified in newly-seeded conservation plantings in more than 30 Iowa counties, and we would not be surprised if the actual number is double that. The number of Palmer amaranth plants per acre has typically been low enough (<250 plants per acre) to make physical...

Weeds
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
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 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
July 7, 2016 9:51 AM

Storms hit eastern Iowa yesterday, bringing variable amounts of rainfall and enough wind to blow some corn down. The damage seems to extend across multiple counties, but I witnessed many fields with varying amounts of damage in Linn and Jones counties.

...

Crop Production
June 7, 2016 3:53 PM

After a busy week at a meeting in Michigan, Virgil Schmitt and I visited the Muscatine County farmer with Palmer amaranth to assess the population.

This farmer first discovered Palmer amaranth...

Weeds
May 20, 2016 12:29 PM

Several corn fields in southeast Iowa are having disease issues this spring. After visiting with several ag retailers and farmers, I had Alison Robertson and Tom Kaspar, a plant physiologist with the USDA-ARS, out yesterday to look at some fields with issues. When we put all the pieces together...

Plant Diseases
April 20, 2016 10:24 AM

I received one report of a cereal rye control failure this week as temperatures warmed and rye growth resumed. Some follow-up questions and photos showed that concerns regarding burndown applications during cool, early-spring conditions have merit.


A southeast...

Weeds
April 14, 2016 10:05 AM

It seems that anhydrous ammonia (AA) applications and planting may fall very close together on the timeline of events this spring. This could be concerning with drying soils and lack of significant rainfall chances in the near future.

Important notes to remember:

1) Application...

Crop Production, Soils, Soil Fertility
March 17, 2016 11:51 AM

Spring seems to have sprung early this year with the beautiful weather and very warm temperatures. I like to take a lap around the office on the Johnson County Fairgrounds a few times during the...

Weeds
February 25, 2016 2:23 PM

This is fourth and final part of a series focused on using multiple, effective herbicide groups at effective rates as part of a long-term weed management system.

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Herbicide Resistance
February 18, 2016 9:20 AM

This is part three of a four-part series on using multiple, effective herbicide groups at effective rates as part of a long-term weed management system.

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Herbicide Resistance
February 11, 2016 9:44 AM

This is part two of a four-part series on using multiple, effective herbicide groups at effective rates as part of a long-term weed management system.

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Herbicide Resistance
February 4, 2016 9:23 AM

This is part one of a four-part series on using multiple, effective herbicide sites of action (herbicide groups) at effective rates as part of a long-term weed management system.

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Herbicide Resistance
February 3, 2016 7:52 AM

Last fall, I collected common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) seed to establish some plots on a farmer cooperator's land over the winter. My plan was to seed directly into a standing cool-season grass adjacent to a crop field and determine the effectiveness of this method for plant...

Weeds
August 10, 2015 8:21 AM

The annual ISU-Iowa State Fair Weed Identification Contest is this Friday, August 14, from 9:00 - 11:00 AM in front of the John Deere Agriculture Building.  With three divisions (Future Agronomists, General, and Professional) it is indeed fun for the entire family.  See how your weed ID skills...

Weeds

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