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By Stephen K. Barnhart, Department of Agronomy
Spring hay and pasture seedings are normally done from late February through late April in Iowa. The extended period of wet weather in 2008 has many producers still waiting to get their forages planted.
Can they still successfully plant forage crops?
By Bob Hartzler, Department of Agronomy
2,4-D is commonly added to glyphosate for burndown of existing vegetation in no-till fields. The advantages of including 2,4-D include:
By John H. Hill and Alan L. Eggenberger, Department of Plant Pathology
The Clinic helps growers and agribusiness professionals diagnose and manage plant disease, weed and insect problems on all kinds of plants.
By Marlin E. Rice and Rich Pope, Department of Entomology
By Marlin E. Rice and Rich Pope, Department of Entomology
Cold! That is the best way to describe the first three and a half months of 2008. A cool spring has delayed alfalfa weevil hatch this year, however Iowa fields should have accumulated sufficient temperatures for larvae to hatch starting April 23-25 in southern Iowa. Naturally, weevils with hatch at slightly later dates in the central and northern counties of the state.
By Bob Hartzler, Department of Agronomy
As the end of April nears with little field work accomplished, getting the crop in the ground becomes the priority for many farmers. No-till farmers may plant fields prior to killing weeds with a burndown herbicide, with the intent of returning later to control the weeds with an early postemergence application. While this strategy can be effective, it is important to realize that planting into established weeds greatly shortens the time required for weeds to impact crop yields (critical period).
By Palle Pedersen, Department of Agronomy
By Palle Pedersen, Department of Agronomy and Alison Robertson, Department of Plant Pathology
There have been several reports in the press about poor soybean seed quality for this growing season. Seed quality is a problem for many companies this year but all are doing everything they can do to ensure we have the best quality seed possible. In Iowa, however, seed quality issues are minor compared to the south.
Seed quality
By John Sawyer, Department of Agronomy
A recent article in The Des Moines Register newspaper has caused considerable controversy regarding nitrogen in Iowa streams and rivers. The article (High ammonia levels threaten D.M.’s water, April 6, 2008) featured information about “ammonia” levels in certain Iowa surface water systems during the recent winter time period.
