Blog

One benefit of planting cover crops is their contribution to weed management.  While several factors contribute to the inhibition of weeds by cover crops, the physical barrier of cover crop residue on the soil surface is most important.  Research has shown a strong relationship between the...

Old man winter seems to just be hanging around, but we have had some glimpses that spring will arrive eventually.

We’ve had below normal temperatures (averaged for December, January, and February was 20.8 degrees or 1.3 degrees below normal) and above normal precipitation (total...

Recent research at Kansas State University has confirmed farmers' claims of reduced herbicide efficacy in controlling Palmer amaranth in fields. According to the research, Palmer amaranth samples, collected from a long-term conservation tillage study, were identified as being resistant to 2,4-D...

These species, whether it be insects, weeds or pathogens have the power to drastically alter a landscape by feeding on, or out-competing, plants or other native species. Populations of invasive species are often large enough to kill large numbers of trees and plants, reduce soil quality and...

Farmers and crop advisors are invited to attend the Southeast Iowa Agricultural Research Association annual meeting at the Johnson County Extension office in Iowa City on Thursday, March 7, 2019 beginning at 10:00 a.m.

The day will feature an update on activities at the Iowa State...

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.

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.  

Frequently farmers wish to buy a small grain and plant it...

Recent text from an extension client:  
“Mark Licht is telling us to plant 120-140K soybeans.  Tells us why more isn’t cost effective. You tell us 160K 15” rows for weeds.  I wish you all would coordinate your story. The bottom line is net profit which is a holistic concept but every...

The Iowa Soybean Association has hosted a farmer-oriented research conference 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. This article contains the dates and...

As 2018 was winding down, your extension specialists were gearing up, publishing eight pest-management related guides for the 2019 growing season. Several of these guides are downloadable, for free, on the Iowa State University Extension Store. Now's the perfect time to gather materials to...

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...

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 ...