Integrated Crop Management News

Links to these articles are strongly encouraged. Articles may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Integrated Crop Management News, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. If articles are used in any other manner, permission from the author is required.

Managing Manure Storage Structures During Wet Weather

June 12, 2008

By Robert Burns, Department of Ag and Biosystem Engineering 

During excessively high rainfall periods Iowa producers with open manure storages should closely monitor manure levels to prevent these structures from over-topping.

Measuring the Nitrogen Status

June 12, 2008
Image of N-deficient corn and well-fertilized, non-N limiting strips

This year the corn growth is behind, and with the wet soils some fields will be sampled later than normal. Late sampling may complicate test interpretation.

Estimating Nitrogen Losses

June 11, 2008

By John Sawyer, Department of Agronomy

One method to judge nitrogen (N) loss is to calculate an estimate. Predicting the exact amount is quite difficult as many factors affect losses. However, estimates can provide guidance for supplemental N applications.

SCN Confirmed for First Time in Lyon County

June 10, 2008
Map of Iowa indicating the years the counties were infested with SCN

By Greg Tylka, Department of Plant Pathology


Research and extension personnel in Iowa have tracked soybean cyst nematode (SCN) infestations by county since initial discovery of the nematode in Winnebago County in 1978.



Economic Impact of Delayed and Prevented Planting

June 10, 2008

By William Edwards, Department of Economics

Most crop producers know that to achieve optimum yields it is important to plant early. However, in years like this when cold weather or frequent rains prevented tillage and planting from being completed, some adjustments may be made to the amount of coverage provided by Multiple Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) as well as other types of crop insurance. These adjustments are subject to revision each year by the Risk Management Agency and crop insurance vendors.

Summer Flooding of Hay Fields and Pastures

June 10, 2008

By Stephen K. Barnhart, Department of Agronomy

Most forage crops perform best when soils have adequate, but not excessive, soil moisture. Standing water, flowing water and waterlogged soils following heavy summer rainstorms or extended periods of higher than normal rainfall patterns can all cause management concerns for forage crops.

Management Suggestions

Nitrogen Loss – How Does it Happen?

June 10, 2008

By John Sawyer, Department of Agronomy

Much of Iowa is experiencing excessively wet conditions this spring. With the continued large rainfalls and flooding conditions, nitrogen (N) loss is an issue. While the wet period early this spring had an influence on N in the soil, excessively wet conditions now are especially critical for N losses due to warm soils and considerable conversion of applied fertilizer and manure N to nitrate.

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