Regional Update: June 6 - June 14, 2022

While parts of western Iowa seem to miss the rain or get small amounts of rain, other parts of the state received over 3 inches of rain this past week and experienced flooding. Unfortunately, some areas, particularly southwest and south-central Iowa, received some significant hail damage as well resulting in some fields being replanted. Where conditions were fit last week, there were a lot of post herbicide applications, sidedressing, and wrapping up putting up the first cutting of hay. Read on to hear what ISU Extension Field Agronomist’s are hearing and seeing across the state.

Northwest Iowa

Gentry Sorenson (Region 2): “Rainfall was spotty for the week with rainfall of around 0.5 inch across the area. Post herbicide application took place before the rainfall, with the focus mainly on corn post applications. Corn is at the V5 to V6 growth stage. Corn nitrogen sidedressing is ongoing as growers are working to finish as corn is growing quickly. Soybeans are at an average growth stage of V2. Post emerge applications of soybeans have just begun as the deadline to apply dicamba post emerge to soybeans is June 20. Phone calls and field calls were regarding herbicide application, late season nitrate testing, and cover crop termination.”

Northeast Iowa

Josh Michel (Region 5): “Post-emergence herbicide applications and sidedressing applications were the main activities being conducted last week as farmers caught some breaks between scattered rain showers. Over the past week, most of the region received anywhere from 1.0 to 1.5 inches of rain, but some isolated areas in parts of northern Allamakee and Winneshiek counties received up to 3 inches of rain. Additionally, over the weekend, a strong line of storms went through southern Buchanan County delivering up to 4 inches of rain in isolated areas. Approximately 90 percent of the corn has emerged and can be staged from VE up to V5 in some early planted fields. Many fields have been receiving post-emergence herbicide applications as well as some sidedressing fertilizer applications. Now is the time to be scouting for true armyworms as I have received a couple calls regarding some feeding. Approximately 80 percent of the soybeans have emerged and can be staged from VE up to V3. Like corn, many soybean fields have been receiving their first post-emergence herbicide applications. Many fields of oats are heading out and looking good so far. The tail-end of alfalfa first crop harvest is getting finished up. The new regrowth after first crop harvest is looking good so far due to consistent rain showers. Pastures continue to look good, although very warm temperatures this week will put some strain on cool season grasses. Recent field calls and questions have consisted mainly of weed management, herbicide applications, small grains and forage management, and questions about fertilizer side-dressing applications.”

Southwest Iowa:

Aaron Saeugling (Region 10): “ Heavy rain and hail covered parts of Southwest Iowa last week causing significant damage to fields. Replanting has started this week with soybeans and corn being replanted in portions of Pottawattamie, Cass, Adair, Adams, Montgomery, and Union counties. Smaller corn will survive as the growing point was below the ground. Soybeans stands were reduced to less than 50,000 in many fields, warranting replanting in many cases. Corn growth stages range from V2 to V7, and soybeans range from V1 to V4. Some early planted narrow row beans should close the rows by the end of the week. Early and narrow row corn will also close the row this week as well. Most corn post emerge, and top-dressing urea has been applied or soon will be.  With hot temperatures forecasted, I expect crops to make up a little growth due to later planting this year.  Insects to be on the look out for include black cutworm damage in fields, and I expect Japanese beetles to appear in the next several weeks. While moisture conditions are adequate now, we are going to need rainfall in late June and early July this year due to shallower root systems.” 

East Central, Southeast, and South Central Iowa:

Rebecca Vittetoe (Region 8): “Overall the crops look really good in this part of the state. Corn is mainly in the V4 to V6 stages, with some V7 corn. Soybeans mainly fall in the V1 to V3 growth stages. Field activities this past week included sidedressing nitrogen, post emergence herbicide applications, and putting up hay. We did get some rain this past week with totals ranging from 0.5 inch to some isolated areas getting 2 plus inches. Some areas did have some leaning corn due to some winds that came with the rain, but it looks like it stood back up just fine. Pest concerns were mainly black cutworms, but as you are out scouting do keep your eyes open for stalk borers moving into corn, and Japanese beetles starting to emerge soon. One of the bigger concerns as we head into this week is the hot temperatures, wind, and trying balance making post herbicide applications. Questions or field calls this past week included herbicide applications, insects (black cutworm mainly), herbicide injury symptoms, and some sulfur deficiency in corn.”

Virgil Schmitt (Region 9): “Rainfall last week in the counties I cover was extremely variable, ranging from 0.2 to over 3.0 inches. In general, temperatures during the last week in the counties I cover were one degree below to three degrees above normal. Most corn is V5 to V6 and looks good to excellent. Much fertilizer sidedressing and post emergence herbicide spraying occurred last week. Most soybeans are at V1 to V3 and also look good to excellent. Alfalfa harvest is about complete and oats are heading out. Calls last week mostly involved weed management and herbicide injury.”

Clarabell Probasco (Region 11): “Much of South-Central Iowa received heavy rainfall this past week. With a few of the rain systems, some small pockets of hail occurred where soybean fields experienced enough damage to be replanted or have additional soybeans dropped in. The vast majority of the corn fields were well below the V5 stage, avoiding damage to the growing point. Rainfall amounts were observed anywhere from 1.5 inches to over 4 inches. Corn fields can be seen in the stages of V1 to V6 and soybean fields are seen between VE to V3. There has been bean leaf beetle activity noted across the region as well as a few sporadic cases of black cutworm. Make sure to keep scouting fields for damage from insect pests!”     

Check out the map below to find your local ISU Extension field agronomist and find their contact information here!