Asian copperleaf (Acalypha australis) remains a new species of concern in Iowa. Currently, we’re aware of infestations in eight Iowa counties: Calhoun, Humboldt, Wright, Boone, Franklin, Hardin, Grundy, and Black Hawk (Figure 1). This species is often first detected at harvest, where farmers discover a carpet of green plants under corn and soybean canopies. Now is a great time to look for this species and other new weeds (like Palmer amaranth) when scouting fields.

Each year brings fresh concerns related to herbicide performance and the weather. We can’t control the weather, and we are often at the mercy of wind, temperature, and moisture whether there is too much, too little, or ideally, just right. A recurring concern this spring has been dry weather and how it impacts herbicides. 

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Field Agronomists have completed their spring survey of subsoil moisture in northwest Iowa. Subsoil moisture sampling in Iowa dates to February 1954 when ten sites were chosen for soil moisture sampling. In 1959, the sampling increased to 22 locations, and in 1971, 61 locations were sampled. Today, 18 locations are sampled in northwest Iowa.

The Midwest Cover Crops Council’s cover crop decision tool was recently updated for Iowa! This winter a group of Iowan researchers, agency staff, seed dealers, and farmers came together to provide input to Midwest Cover Crops Council to update Iowa’s data in the cover crop selector tool. The update reflects research and experience gained since the last update to Iowa’s data in 2019. Some of the changes you will see in the tool include: