The crop insurance planting dates have come and gone with barely a field planted for many farmers across Iowa in stark contrast to the last two springs. Cooler temperatures in early April and persistent rainfall has prevented much progress, as indicated by the USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report on April 13. Rainfall totals over four inches in the past two weeks for a good swath of the state from southwest to northeast has replenished soil moisture.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Crops Team reached thousands of farmers, agribusiness professionals and crop advisers during the 2025–2026 winter season through a wide range of educational programs focused on timely crop production issues and decision‑making.

Black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon) is an occasional pest of corn and soybean in Iowa. This insect cannot overwinter here, so spring storms deliver moths to Iowa each year. Because they are migratory, their occurrence in the state is sporadic, and scouting is essential to determine whether fields require treatment for black cutworm larvae. Trapping for moths is a relatively simple way to understand which regions may be at higher risk and predict when larvae may be active in fields.

Outside of northwest Iowa, which has missed more of the recent rains, field activity across the state has either been limited or brought to a halt due to the wet conditions. With much of the state waiting to get back into the field and get a start on planting, ISU Extension and Outreach field agronomists provide updates on what they are seeing and what’s happening in their respective regions across the state.

A few months ago, we discussed the upcoming 2026 modernization of the U.S. coordinate system and what it could mean for precision agriculture. As the transition date approaches, more details have been released, and it’s time for Iowa growers to start preparing.

In 2026, the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) will officially replace: