Will 2009 be a Soybean Aphid Year?
By Jon Tollefson, Department of Entomology
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By Jon Tollefson, Department of Entomology
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.