Pests

Extension entomologists, plant pathologists, and weed specialists work to improve understanding of pest resistance in Iowa field crops, and increase the adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) tactics to reduce or delay pest resistance. The team strives to increase the level of awareness and understanding of pest and weed resistance in Iowa, and educate farmers on identification and management strategies to improve yield and profits in field crops.

Extension specialists interact with producers throughout the year at several events, including the annual Integrated Crop Management conference, Crop Advantage Series, Weeds Week, and field crop scouting clinics at the Field Extension Education Laboratory. Annual weed and insect publications are produced to help farmers make the best management decisions for their farming operations. Field guides, scouting cards, and other publications on disease management are regularly published and updated for weed, insect, and disease identification purposes. The Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic provides diagnosis of plant problems such as plant disease, insect damage, assessment of herbicide damage, and the identification of weeds and insects from the field.