Blog
Subscribe to RSS FeedThis year’s Weed Science Field Day will be held on Thursday, July 14 at the Iowa State University Curtiss Farm, Ames, IA.
Although the 2022 cold and wet spring has significantly delayed corn and soybean planting in Iowa, we are still on track to demonstrate corn and soybean research plots...
Ashley Dean
May 25, 2022 11:15 AM
Last week, moth flights into Iowa continued to decrease compared to previous weeks. In total, our cooperators captured 38 true armyworm (TAW) moths and 65 black cutworm (BCW) moths during Week 8 (May 15 to May 21).
Week 8 report:
Nearly all TAW moths were...
Angie Rieck-Hinz
May 24, 2022 2:33 PM
Rebecca Vittetoe
May 24, 2022 2:33 PM
Weather conditions were quite favorable this past week allowing Iowa farmers 5.4 days for fieldwork across Iowa allowing for significant planting progress across nearly all of Iowa. With that said, there are still isolated pockets where soils remain too wet to allow for fieldwork. Frost...
Angie Rieck-Hinz
May 20, 2022 9:13 AM
It is the time of year when Extension Field Agronomists receive questions from farmers who have been asked if they can apply pesticides for their neighbors. There are a few things you should know before you agree to apply pesticides for your neighbors.
A private pesticide applicator in...
Ashley Dean
May 18, 2022 10:12 AM
Last week, moth flights into Iowa were slightly lower than previous weeks. In total, our cooperators captured 55 true armyworm (TAW) moths and 102 black cutworm (BCW) moths during Week 7 (May 8 to May 14).
Week 7 report:
Moths of each species were captured almost...
Elizabeth Danielson
May 18, 2022 9:06 AM
When a pesticide application moves beyond the application site to a place it’s not wanted – known as pesticide drift – it can cause damage to acreages, gardens, and landscape plants. Pesticide drift can occur virtually anywhere – in rural areas, towns, and cities.
Are You Sure It’...
Rebecca Vittetoe
May 17, 2022 12:56 PM
Farmers finally caught a break last week and were able to make a lot of planting progress across most of the state. Some areas that did not miss the rains last week had more limited progress made with getting the crop in the ground. The earlier planted crops and even some of the crops put in...
Ashley Dean
May 16, 2022 1:53 PM
Erin Hodgson
May 16, 2022 1:53 PM
Western and northern corn rootworms are serious corn pests in Iowa and the Corn Belt. These pests readily adapt to management tactics, especially in continuous corn production. The larvae consume corn roots, reducing nutrient and water uptake and causing stalk lodging. The adults may also feed...
Mark Licht
May 12, 2022 10:54 AM
Sotirios Archontoulis
May 12, 2022 10:54 AM
The planting is slow in 2022 – according to last Monday’s USDA Crop Progress Report corn planting was at 14% and soybean planting was at 7% complete. This is nearly two weeks behind normal. This week’s warm temperatures have driven up soil temperatures but wet soil conditions are still the...
Ashley Dean
May 11, 2022 10:26 AM
Moth flights into Iowa continued to increase last week. In total, our cooperators captured 118 true armyworm (TAW) moths and 183 black cutworm (BCW) moths during Week 6 (May 1 to May 7).
Week 6 report:
Moths of each species were captured almost every day last...
Rebecca Vittetoe
May 10, 2022 2:22 PM
While not much planting progress was made last week (again), the warmer and drier weather this week should provide more favorable conditions for fieldwork and planting. Some of the hot topics over the last week across the state included concerns about cover crop termination, seeding forages yet...
Meaghan Anderson
May 6, 2022 2:18 PM
This spring's weather has resulted in an unusually slow start to the growing season, especially when compared with the past two years. In springs like these, field operations are condensed and there may be temptation to skip some of the field preparation to get acres planted in a timely manner....
Sotirios Archontoulis
May 6, 2022 10:34 AM
Mark Licht
May 6, 2022 10:34 AM
Corn and soybean planting is progressing very slowly across the state. The starting soil conditions (temperature, water, nitrogen) however are very different from last year. In this blog we’ll benchmark soil conditions using simulated data from...
Elizabeth Danielson
May 4, 2022 3:41 PM
When selecting a pesticide, make sure you read the label to ensure that you have the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needed...
Ashley Dean
May 4, 2022 10:59 AM
Last week, we saw an increase in the number of moths caught around the state. This is not surprising considering a few storm systems moved through the Midwest, and strong southerly winds prevailed on April 23 and during the late part of last week. In total, our cooperators captured 105 true...
Rebecca Vittetoe
May 3, 2022 9:42 PM
It has been a slow start to the 2022 growing season with minimal fieldwork and planting done across the state. According to the USDA-NASS May 2 Crop Progress...
Alison Robertson
May 3, 2022 9:48 AM
Daren S Mueller
May 3, 2022 9:48 AM
Brrrrrrrrr. Is summer ever going to come? It’s cold. It’s wet. Planting progress is behind and everyone is starting to get antsy. When we finally get our seed in the ground, as Emily Unglesbee so eloquently wrote, “...
Mark Licht
May 3, 2022 8:30 AM
Over the last couple of weeks there have been numerous reports of both corn and soybean fields being planted. At present, soil temperatures are hovering just below 50oF for most of the state, with the exception of portions of southern corner of Iowa. What should we expect from these...
Erin Hodgson
May 2, 2022 11:46 AM
Ashley Dean
May 2, 2022 11:46 AM
Today during our Crops Team meeting, many field agronomists shared that cool soil temperatures and rain have delayed planting in Iowa, but there are some very determined farmers getting acres planted around the state. These cool and wet conditions during spring are favorable for a few seed and...
Ashley Dean
April 28, 2022 12:56 PM
Black cutworm (BCW) and true armyworm (TAW) moths continued to migrate into Iowa during Week 4 (April 17 to April 23). Last week, our cooperators reported a total of 60 BCW and 13 TAW moths throughout the state.
Week 4 report:
All of the moths were captured in...
Ashley Dean
April 21, 2022 8:42 AM
Rebecca Vittetoe
April 21, 2022 8:42 AM
The cooler temperatures this spring have slowed down alfalfa growth, but alfalfa weevil could already be active based on growing degree day (GDD) accumulation since January 1. We recommend beginning...
Ashley Dean
April 20, 2022 4:44 PM
Windy conditions last week brought our first large flights of black cutworm (BCW) and true armyworm (TAW) moths to Iowa. During Week 3 (April 10 to April 16), our cooperators reported a total of 49 BCW and 20 TAW moths throughout the state.
Week 3 report:
More...
Mark Licht
April 19, 2022 8:00 AM
Joel DeJong
April 19, 2022 8:00 AM
Yesterday’s crop progress and condition report indicated little to no planting progress for corn or soybean. This is not a bad thing, considering the temperatures the five days. All hope is not lost! Iowa farmers are able to plant an incredible number of acres really fast. Larger planters,...
Ashley Dean
April 14, 2022 8:16 AM
Cold weather has kept migratory moths out of Iowa through Week 2 of the trapping network. However, our cooperators have seen some native moths show up in their true armyworm traps. During week 2 of the Iowa Moth...