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Corn is nearing the end of its maturity here in northeast Iowa, where most of it is in between R5.75 (3/4 milk line) and R6 (physiological maturity), with the late planted fields at or past R5.5 (1/2 milk line). With all of the moisture that we’ve seen here in this area of the state, we have...

The early signs of corn and soybean in particular ready for harvest are around the corner, and it is time to think about your next season conservation plans.

Much of the corn that was planted in mid-April is mature or nearly mature. Some hybrids really progressed a lot this past week (Sept. 5-Sept. 12). Corn planted in early May and mid-May is about 1/2 to 3/4 milk line. I think I am seeing some of the...

As you venture around the countryside this time of year you might notice the presence of a plant with white flowers along the edge of woodlands. There is a good chance this plant is white snakeroot, a perennial in the Asteraceae (sunflower family). The plant is adapted to shady areas with low...

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...

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field agronomists report crop conditions in your area of the state.

A new FACTS (Forecast and Assessment of Cropping sysTemS) forecast occurred on August 11, 2016. The forecast can be found at: http://crops.extension.iastate.edu/facts/weather.

The weather this growing season...

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field agronomists report crop conditions in your area of the state:

On Tuesday, Aug.2, eight teams of Iowa youth (grades 9-12) participated in the sixth annual Crop Scouting Competition. The teams were scored on their knowledge of crop insects, diseases, growth and development, and weed identification with a written test and field stations located throughout the...

Typically anthracnose is a disease associated with corn as a leaf blight or stalk rot, or ...

A recent visit to a field with three different planting dates showed the varied crop progress in my area.

The Useful to Usable website uses local information...

Japanese knotweed is one of the most difficult weeds to eradicate due to its extensive woody root system.  In England it is notorious for caving in basement walls where it was planted as a foundation plant.  At least 15 years ago I discovered a 'nice' patch of Japanese bamboo along the banks of...