Extension Crop News
The following crop news items are from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Farm, Food and Enterprise Development team is holding two webinars in August that will explore the role of intense heat on farmers and growers, as well as their crops.
- The I-29 Moo University and the Northern Plains Forage Association will continue their Forage Webinar Series on July 8. This session will cover a variety of topics related to forage, including a primer on storing large bales, an outlook on the forage market and a discussion on what the horse hay market is seeking.
- The annual Iowa State Fair Weed Identification Contest will return on Friday, Aug. 8, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. in front of the John Deere Agriculture Building.
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach invites producers, agronomists and forage enthusiasts to attend the 2025 Forage Field Day on July 31 at the Western Research and Demonstration Farm near Castana, Iowa.
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host an evening crop walk from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, June 17, near Thor, Iowa.
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is hosting a haying equipment demonstration field day on July 8 at the McNay Memorial Research and Demonstration Farm in Chariton.
- Farmers will have an opportunity to see various strip-till bars in action during the Strip-Till Field Day near Crawfordsville on July 30.
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will cover the planning, design and installation of drainage water quality improvement practices at the Conservation Drainage School, Aug. 26–28 at ISU’s Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm.
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is hosting a hands-on Crop Walk series, providing mid-summer, late-season and pre-harvest tips for crop producers.
- The science of weed control will be the main topic at the July 2 Weed Science Field Day at Iowa State University’s Curtiss Farm.
- CropsTV, powered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, recently wrapped up its fifth season. This online, self-paced educational program delivers crop production information directly to farmers and agricultural service providers at home, in the office or anywhere with an internet connection.
- The annual summer field day at Iowa State University’s Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm in Lewis, Iowa, will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 26. Presenters will speak on a variety of current crop and soil health practices in agriculture.
- The annual Spring Field Day at the Iowa State University Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18.
- An open house will recognize a new research and extension facility as well as the 95th anniversary of Iowa State University’s Northern Research and Demonstration Farm.
- Farmers and agricultural professionals in southeastern Iowa are invited to attend the Summer Field Day at the Iowa State University Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm on June 17, hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Southeast Iowa Agricultural Research Association.
- The 2025 survey of cash rental rates for Iowa farmland shows that rates decreased, on average, by 2.9% in 2025 to $271 per acre. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach conducts the annual Cash Rental Rates for Iowa Survey.
- Iowa State University is holding a series of open house events at the Alliant Energy Solar Farm near Ames. Participants will have the opportunity to tour the farm and learn about agrivoltaics — the integration of solar energy and agriculture.
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Women in Ag Program has opened nominations for the annual Women Impacting Agriculture recognition. This honor celebrates women across Iowa who have made significant contributions to the agricultural industry and their communities.
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has published a new resource for livestock producers, “Management Strategies of Prussic Acid Toxicity in Sorghum.”
- Youth teams can now register for the 2025 Youth Crop Scouting Competition, hosted by Iowa 4-H and the Iowa State University Integrated Pest Management program. The event will be held July 24 at Wyffels Hybrids in Ames.
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host Agronomy in the Field, a multi-session, hands-on workshop being offered to women landowners, farmers, conservationists and other women who are interested in learning more about agronomy.
- Logan McCrea is Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s newest field agronomist, serving nine counties in south-central Iowa out of the Mahaska County office. A native of Monroe County, McCrea started his new role in early March of this year.
- People new to crop scouting as well as those wanting to refresh their knowledge and skills are invited to the Crop Scout School on May 22 at the Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm, Crawfordsville. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering this educational program.