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.

Organic Flax Production in Iowa

April 8, 2009

By Kathleen Delate, Departments of Agronomy and Horticulture

Iowa producers interested in raising flax will find valuable information in a new Extension publication, Organic Flax Production in Iowa – PM 2058. The publication by Kathlene Delate, Craig Chase and John Kennicker outlines planting and fertility requirements, variety selection, management issues, harvesting, storage and handling of the crop.

Field-Crop Extension Entomology Update

April 8, 2009

By Jon Tollefson, Department of Entomology

Dr. Erin Hodgson has been hired as state extension specialist for field crops, filling a vacancy left by Marlin Rice’s departure from Iowa State University in early February. Hodgson earned her PhD from the University of Minnesota. Her major professor was David Ragsdale and her dissertation was on the Population and Sampling of the Soybean Aphid. The sampling techniques and thresholds used by ISU Extension for the Asia soybean aphid come largely from her doctoral research.

Managing Winter Annual Weeds in No-Till Fields

April 8, 2009
Image of horseweed in rosette stage

Bob Hartzler, Department of Agronomy


As no-till acres have increased in Iowa, so have the acres infested with winter annual weeds. The primary cost associated with these weeds is interference with crop establishment and early-season growth.


Some growers question whether it is better to control winter annuals prior to planting or just wait to deal with them at planting. In most situations, the best option will be to control winter annuals as soon as it is fit to get into the field.


April 6 Crops and Weather Report

April 7, 2009

Doug Cooper , Iowa State University Extension communications specialist, interviewed Elwynn Taylor, extension climatologist;  Rich Pope, integrated pest management specialist; and Palle Pedersen, soybean agronomist on April 6 for the weekly crops and weather update.

The snow that fell over the weekend is not unusual for April in Iowa says Elwynn Taylor. In fact, he tells us, the most recent storm could have been a lot worse if the early rain had been snow.

Cold Injury to Alfalfa and Forage Crops

April 7, 2009

By Stephen K. Barnhart, Department of Agronomy

Most of Iowa alfalfa fields have broken winter dormancy.  A few early April nights with temperatures in the low 20 degrees F or below will pose a risk of cold injury to alfalfa and other forage species. Low temperatures, whether visible frost is present or not, may affect the growth of both established forage plants and newly emerged seedlings.

Pages