Integrated Crop Management News

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Soil Sample Results Can Reveal if SCN Management is Working

Graphic of sampling areas according to the agronomic features of the field

By Greg Tylka, Department of Plant Pathology
Fall soil sampling has been promoted for many years as an effective way to detect the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) in fields. But many Midwestern soybean producers already know which fields are infested with SCN and have been growing SCN-resistant soybean varieties for numerous years to manage SCN population densities. The key to profitable long-term soybean production in SCN-infested fields is to prevent SCN population densities (numbers) from increasing.

Fall is Ideal Time to Check for Presence of SCN

Graphic of areas of a field where SCN is likely to be discovered

by Greg Tylka, Department of Plant Pathology

Aerate Grain NOW

Table of maximum storage time for corn and soybeans

By Charles Hurburgh, Department Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

The current cold weather provides some relief from the wet grain issues that have plagued farmers in 2008. There is considerable corn in storage over 18 percent moisture, with some over 20 percent. And there is still wet corn in the field that likely will not dry any more.

Fall and Winter Management of Alfalfa

Steve Barnhart, Department of Agronomy

Rain in May and early June this year put most alfalfa producers behind two to three weeks for their first, and correspondingly their second, third, and sometimes forth cuttings. Now in mid-November, producers can look back on the season, determine if there are still some management decisions to make and guess about winter survival.

Corn Breakage Increases with More Drying

By Charles Hurburgh, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

As we observed a few weeks ago, the 2008 corn crop is wetter and lower in test weight than average corn. Long, cool growing seasons produce high yields but the corn is wet and soft, with more soft white starch. This means lower test weight, and reduced storability as mold can invade the softer textured kernels more rapidly. It also takes more energy to remove water from softer corn.

A Weather Summary for the 2008 Growing Season

By Rich Pope, Department of Plant Pathology
Wet and cold! That is how many people will recall the 2008 growing season.

And in a general sense that is a good description, as the Iowa statewide accumulation of crop growth degree days was about 130 behind the 30 year average, and rainfall was more than 7 inches above normal. But when we examine each by crop reporting district through the season, the story gets a bit more complex, depending on where you are looking.

Corn Quality Issues in 2008 - Moisture and Test Weight

By Charles Hurburgh, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering; Roger Elmore, Department of Agronomy

Weather this fall has benefited the corn crop by allowing late planted corn to mature. Much of the state recently experienced its first killing frost. The USDA October yield estimate of 172 bushels per acre in Iowa surprised many. If this is the final yield, 2008 will produce the third highest yield recorded, behind the 173 bushels per acre of 2005 and 181 bushels per acre in 2004.