Extension Crop News
The following crop news items are from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has welcomed Lori Williams as its new emergency management program specialist, a newly created position focused on strengthening disaster preparedness, communication and resources across the state.
- Farmers are invited to participate in an upcoming “Bins of Tomorrow” webinar on Feb. 9 from noon to 1 p.m. The webinar is offered by the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach agricultural engineering team and will focus on issues encountered during the 2025 grain harvest, grain quality and its storability in 2026.
- CropsTV, powered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, is returning for its sixth season in 2026. The online program aims to deliver timely and relevant crop production information directly to farmers and agricultural service providers.
- Specialists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach are once again teaming up with ISU Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering specialists to bring planter equipment expertise to farms across the state Feb. 2–6, 2026, with Planter University.
- To help farmers and landowners better understand and monitor nitrate levels in surface and tile drainage water, the Iowa State University Iowa Nutrient Research Center has released a new publication, Guide to Water Quality Testing for Nitrate. The publication is available for download at no cost from the ISU Extension Store.
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, will offer manure applicator certification workshops for dry/solid manure operators on five different dates and locations in February. These workshops meet manure applicator certification requirements for confinement site and commercial manure applicators who primarily apply dry or solid manure.
- Confinement site manure applicators and anyone interested in learning about manure issues should plan to attend a two-hour workshop offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in January or February 2026. These workshops are offered in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
- Commercial manure applicators can attend annual training to meet commercial manure applicator certification requirements on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will conduct Commercial Manure Applicator Training from 9 a.m. to noon at 72 locations across Iowa.
- The 2025 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll, conducted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Sociology, highlights ongoing economic and policy challenges faced by Iowa’s farmers. The annual survey, which gathered responses from nearly 950 farmers statewide, provides insights into farmers’ perspectives on the ups and downs of specialized commodity production.
- The Midwest Cover Crops Council's annual meeting and cover crop conference will be held in Dubuque, Iowa, in February 2026. Producers, students, researchers and industry partners are invited to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the MCCC, whose mission is to empower a network of producers, landowners, researchers, industry professionals, agencies, extension specialists and government stakeholders to increase cover crop adoption.
- Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, will host a virtual field day on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 1 p.m. Central time. The event, which is available at no cost, will feature a live discussion with Mike Castellano, William T. Frankenberger Professor of soil science at Iowa State University.
- The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will implement updated pesticide applicator certification and training rules beginning Jan. 1, 2026. In preparation for the new rules, the Iowa State University Pesticide Safety Education Program is revising several applicator manuals and exams to ensure compliance and provide accurate resources for commercial and private pesticide applicators.
- The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Farm Business Management Team invites farmers and agriculture professionals to a Grain Marketing Workshop in Ottumwa Jan. 6–7, 2026. The two-day workshop is designed for participants with various experience levels, including those with limited and intermediate skills, as well as seasoned, successful grain marketers.
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host the In-Season Manure Application with Irrigation Field Day on Dec. 4 in Klemme. Participants will learn about innovative strategies designed to address nutrient water quality issues stemming from agriculture.
- Iowa Learning Farms will host a no-till and soil health field day on Tuesday, Nov. 25, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Badger Community Center. The event is open to farmers and landowners at no cost and includes a complimentary meal.
- Iowa Learning Farms will host a cover crop and no-till field day near Ollie on Tuesday, Nov. 18, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Scott Swanson’s farm. The event is open to farmers and landowners at no cost and includes a complimentary meal.
- Iowa Learning Farms will host a “Conservation On Tap” event on Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Bremer Brewing Company in Waverly. The event, which is available at no cost, will provide local farmers, landowners and urban residents with a chance to discuss and ask questions. There will be an opportunity for networking following the event.
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will host the 36th Annual Integrated Crop Management Conference, set for Dec. 10–11 at Prairie Meadows in Altoona. This premier event will provide crop production professionals with the latest information, cutting-edge research updates and tools to prepare for 2026.
- Soil compaction caused by farm machinery and field traffic will be discussed at an upcoming Soil Compaction School event on Nov. 14. The event will cover methods to minimize compaction and mitigate any soil compaction that may have already occurred.
- The Iowa State University Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic has earned national accreditation from the National Plant Diagnostic Network, recognizing the clinic’s commitment to high-quality, reliable diagnostic services. Clinic diagnosticians invite Iowans to submit samples for diagnosis.
- Iowa Learning Farms will host a cover crop, relay intercropping and water quality field day near Crawfordsville on Thursday, Nov. 6, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Iowa State University Southeast Research Farm.
- Early planting combined with warm spring and fall conditions has led to an earlier-than-usual corn harvest in Iowa. Crops are also drier than normal, creating a greater risk of field fires during harvest. Kris Kohl, field agricultural engineer with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, offers recommendations to reduce the risk.