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.

Iowa State University Graduate Named Coordinator at FEEL

November 6, 2014
Warren Pierson photo

The Field Extension Education Laboratory (FEEL) at Iowa State University has named Warren Pierson as the new coordinator. Starting Nov. 1, Pierson will be responsible for organizing educational events at FEEL which holds demonstration plots used by Iowa State faculty and Iowa State Extension and Outreach staff.


Pay Attention to Stewardship Requirements for Biotech Grains

October 28, 2014

By Charles Hurburgh, Department of Ag and Biosystems Engineering

Most of us have been following developments in biotechnology approval for many years. The most recent issue is the non-approval of certain corn events by China. Viptera (MIR162) corn has not been approved there since its introduction in 2010; Duracade, new this year, is in the same situation. The greatest impact of the Chinese situation is on distillers grains from ethanol production. China is a major importer of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS); much less so for whole corn.

More Choices of SCN-Resistant Soybean Varieties for Iowa for 2015

October 21, 2014
Number of SCN resistant varieties graph

By Greg Tylka, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology


An effective way to manage the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is to grow SCN-resistant soybean varieties. Resistant varieties can yield well in fields infested with the nematode and can keep SCN population densities (numbers) from greatly increasing.


Mycotoxins Videos Released

October 20, 2014
Mycotoxins video screenshot

By Charles Hurburgh, Department of Ag and Biosystems Engineering; Alison Robertson, Department of Plant Pathology; and Erin Bowers, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.

For a more in-depth discussion and overview of mycotoxins, the Grain Quality Initiative and the Crop Advisor Institute have prepared two video modules, Mycotoxins in Feed and Grain Industries.

Update on 2014 Crop Quality

October 15, 2014
2014 Accumulated Precipitation

By Charles Hurburgh, Department of Ag and Biosystems Engineering; Alison Robertson, Department of Plant Pathology; and Erin Bowers, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.


Fall Nitrogen Applications and Soil Temperature

October 13, 2014
Soil Nitrogen cycle

By John Sawyer, Department of Agronomy

If you are considering fall application of anhydrous ammonia to corn fields (the only nitrogen fertilizer recommended for fall application), remember to wait until soil temperatures cool to 50° F and continue to trend colder. The same guidance applies to manure with high ammonium N content, like liquid swine manure.

Why is waiting important?

Quality and Handling of the 2014 Iowa Crop - Update

October 2, 2014
Maximum storage time for corn and soybeans

Updated Oct. 2, 2014. Every year brings on a new set of challenges for harvest and grain management; in the past five years we have gone from very wet to very dry. Overall 2014 crop quality is likely to be good with a few uncertainties because of weather.

Cover crops and SCN: What's the connection?

September 25, 2014
Tillage radish field

Cover crops are being grown in Iowa for soil and pest management. The possible effects of cover crops on the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) are discussed in this article.

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