Blog

Updated Dec. 3, 2019.

Recent research at Kansas State University has confirmed farmers' claims of reduced herbicide efficacy in controlling Palmer amaranth in fields.

The fall of 2018 was challenging for most farmers. It started with rainfall beginning in early September as the corn and soybean crop was maturing. While a good portion of the crop was harvested, rain and cold temperatures limited fall tillage operations. This presents an opportunity to save money on input costs this spring.

This week (February 25 – March 1, 2019) is National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW). While not as gratifying as National Donut Day or National Landline Telephone Day (March 10), NISAW is just as important.

The IPM team at Iowa State University has been monitoring for field crop pests for a long time. The target pests have changed over the years, but the goal always remains the same: help inform farmers about pest activity in Iowa. One long-standing project is monitoring for black cutworm, an erratic field crop pest. In 2017, we also included true armyworm as part of the trapping network. We use adult trap captures to estimate feeding injury in field crops.

Welcome to ISU Biomass, led by the Heaton Lab at Iowa State University. Together with our partners, we work to integrate perennial crops into the annual crop landscape to improve economic, environmental, and social outcomes. One of our focus areas is the production and ecophysiology of giant miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus).

The Crop Protection Network (CPN), a collective of multiple land grant universities across the region, published two new resources for Iowa farmers detailing tar spot in corn, caused by Phyllachora maydis, and soybean seed quality for 2019.

This cold and snowy weather hopefully has everyone dreaming of warmer days this spring.  The 2019 growing season will be here before we know it, but now is a great time to plan for the year.  While many farmers have already purchased pesticides for the growing season, it’s important to read the labels for these products before use.  I always suggest that farmers read pesticide labels prior to purchase, in case there are restrictions or label requirements that would make an alte

With the rising popularity of cover crops we frequently receive questions from producers about how to grow and sell cover crop seed. Here’s some important information if you are interested in growing and selling cover crop seed.  

Winter months often find us making lists of things we want to get done prior to spring field work and planting. Now is a good time to consider how to safely dispose of old pesticides and chemicals. 

Under the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) as revised in 2015, agricultural workers and pesticide handlers must be trained annually in pesticide safety.

Who needs to be trained?

The Iowa Soybean Association has hosted a farmer-oriented research conference in central Iowa in February for many years. In 2019, the event is moving out into the state. The ISA Farmer Research Tour will be held at three locations in the first two weeks of February. Specific dates and locations of the three events are:

Making sound soil fertility management decisions is an important part of successful crop production, on both an economic and environmental level. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will be offering a two-day short course focusing on principles of soils, soil fertility and nutrient management to help crop production professionals make better decisions.

This is the final article of a four-part series originally posted in 2016 on using multiple, effective herbicide sites of action (herbicide groups) at effective rates as part of a long-term weed management system. Read part one , part two, and part three now.

While herbicide resistance is not a new issue, the rapid increase in multiple resistant biotypes in waterhemp, giant ragweed, and horseweed (marestail) is limiting herbicidal options. A waterhemp biotype resistant to six herbicide groups (2, 4, 5, 9, 14, and 27) was recently identified in Missouri. The majority of Iowa fields have waterhemp resistant to three herbicide groups, and five-way resistant populations have been found.  While herbicides will remain the backbone of

This is part three of a four-part series originally posted in 2016 on using multiple, effective herbicide sites of action (herbicide groups) at effective rates as part of a long-term weed management system. Read part one and part two now.

This is part two of a four-part series originally posted in 2016 on using multiple, effective herbicide sites of action (herbicide groups) at effective rates as part of a long-term weed management system. Read part one now.

This is part one of a four-part series originally posted in 2016 on using multiple, effective herbicide sites of action (herbicide groups) at effective rates as part of a long-term weed management system.

Soil health is the foundation for a vibrant and strong agriculture system and economy. Healthy soils are essential to healthy environments including clean air and clean water for sustainable agriculture and livelihoods. The 2019 Soil Health Conference will be held in Ames at the Scheman Building at Iowa State University on February 4-5, 2019. Registration is now open.

Pesticides are substances that are designed to control pests. Every year, nearly six billion pounds of pesticides are applied worldwide. In agricultural fields, they can be sprayed, injected into the soil, or added to the seed.