From industrial applications to hobbyist platforms, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly referred to as drones, have rapidly integrated into the agricultural landscape. Equipped with high-resolution sensors, these aerial platforms have fundamentally altered how modern production agriculture monitors crop development.

The storms that rolled across the state last week also brought along with them heavy rain, wind, and even some hail. While most areas did receive some rainfall, parts of northwest Iowa missed out and the drier conditions are starting to show. Weeds continue to be the biggest challenge across the state as many are struggling to get their postemergence herbicide applications made with the wet field conditions. Read on for more specifics on what’s happening around the state.

The storm systems that moved across the state this week have brought wind, heavy rainfall, and hail. Below are resources to help assess crop damage following these storms.  

If you have been out in the field checking stand or doing early-season scouting for weeds, diseases, and insects, you might be noticing that insect activity is picking up across the state. We are approximately 200 growing degree days ahead of schedule this spring, which means insect development is happening quickly for insects that overwintered or arrived here with strong storm systems.