By Doug Cooper, Extension Communications
Two words summarize the crop conversations this week — cold and weeds. Iowa State University Extension weed specialist Bob Hartzler, integrated pest management specialist Rich Pope, and soybean agronomist Palle Pedersen discuss the influence of both on Iowa crops during this week's crop and weather report.
Hartzler says the cool and wet weather is allowing weeds to get a jump on planted fields this spring. Farmers need to keep an eye on weed development to maintain maximum yields this year.
Pope tells of early reports of soybean aphids in a few fields across the state.
Despite the cool, wet weather the soybean fields are looking quite good, says Pedersen. There are a few fields with growing weed problems, but overall this has been a pretty good year.
Links to this article are strongly encouraged, and this article 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 this article is to be used in any other manner, permission from the author is required. This article was originally published on June 16, 2009. The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed.