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By Roger Elmore, Department of Agronomy
We experienced June-like temperatures in March. Trees budded, spring flowers bloomed and fertilizer rigs crisscrossed fields. Soil temperatures matched what we normally experience in late April and early May, jumping well ahead of previous records.
Optimum Iowa corn planting dates range from mid-April to the end of April in north central and northeast Iowa, and to the first or second week in May in other parts of Iowa (see Table). If we consider the differences between early-planting and late planting, yields are reduced less early in the planting season than late. That means that planting early during the optimum window is generally a better practice than planting a few days after the optimum window. Yields drop off dramatically in mid-May across Iowa.
Host plant resistance for soybean aphid is the newest management tool for farmers. The recently released publication, Soybean aphid-resistant varieties for Iowa, lists currently available soybean seed with resistance to soybean aphid.
Taking time to implement a few simple management techniques can reduce farm fuel consumption and keep machinery running smoothly.
By Stephen K. Barnhart, Department of Agronomy
What an unusual winter — warmer than most; not much snow cover. Our perennial forage plants have experienced the same conditions.
