Fieldwork has been bustling across the state over the last week and the first part of this week, ranging from tillage and fertilizer applications to spraying and the planting of corn and soybeans. Below, ISU Extension and Outreach field agronomists provide updates on activities occurring in their respective regions and agronomic considerations to keep on your radar.
Leah Ten Napel (Region 1):
Cherokee, Ida, Lyon, Monona, O'Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux, Woodbury counties
“The past couple days I have been driving across northwest Iowa to collect soil moisture samples. Field work is in full swing across my region with tillage work, fertilizer applications, and some early planting of both corn and soybeans. Soil temperatures are at or near 50 degrees F and slowly rising. Pastures and waterways are starting to green up. Soil moisture data will come out soon, but field conditions are good for planting progress.”
Gentry Sorenson (Region 2):
Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Hancock, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Winnebago counties
“Field work was prevalent mid-week of April 6-12. Field work included dry fertilizer application, spring anhydrous ammonia, pre-emergence herbicide application, and tillage. Some planting occurred, but for the most part field prep activities were more prevalent over planting. In some areas (mainly the counties near the Minnesota border) soil conditions were not fit, and less fieldwork was able to be completed. Soil temperatures have been in the 40’s to low 50’s. We have had several windy days, which has slowed down liquid nitrogen and preemergence herbicide applications. During the day of April 12 a band of showers dropped rainfall in the eastern part of my region, slowing field work.”
Angie Rieck-Hinz (Region 3):
Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Hamilton, Hardin, Humboldt, Webster, Worth, Wright counties
“During the week of April 7-14 all field activities were happening. Folks were wrapping up fertilizer applications, anhydrous ammonia was going on, manure was being applied, burndown herbicides and pre-emerge herbicides were being applied, and corn and soybean planting started. The wind on April 12 and the heat on April 13 did a lot to significantly help dry soils in preparation for planting into better conditions. Looking at the forecast for the next 10 days it appears our air temperature is going to bounce around, and there are still a few predicted cold nights coming, so soil temperatures will also bounce around. Temperatures coupled with potentially cold rains could impact germination and emergence so monitor emergence and take stand counts as the crop emerges to make sure your stand is where you want it to be.”
Josh Michel (Region 5):
Allamakee, Buchanan, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Jones, Linn, Winneshiek counties
“Over the past two weeks, most of NE Iowa has generally received anywhere from .50 to .75 inches of rainfall. This has helped alleviate some of the prolonged moisture stress as indicated by the latest drought monitor. That being said, most of NE Iowa is currently in a D1 (moderate drought). Four-inch soil temperatures over the past week have continued to hover in the upper 40’s, to near 50 degrees. Soil temperatures are expected to stay near 50 degrees for the next several days. Dry soil conditions and warming temperatures have encouraged many producers to begin field operations across most of the region. Fertilizer, anhydrous ammonia, and herbicide pre-plant applications are ongoing, while some tillage and planting has started occurring in limited areas. An estimated 40-45 percent of the oats have already been planted, with only 5-10 percent emerged. Alfalfa fields and pastures are starting to green up, but growth has been slow due to cool temperatures and limited moisture. The majority of field calls over the past two weeks have centered around cover crop termination, soil temperatures and planting conditions, planting small grains, soil fertility, corn rootworm management, and pasture weed identification and management.”
Mike Witt (Region 6):
Audubon, Calhoun, Carroll, Crawford, Greene, Guthrie, Harrison, Sac, Shelby counties
“Field work is in full progress in west central Iowa this week. Herbicide, nitrogen, and dry fertilizer applications can be observed across the region depending on field and environmental conditions. Planting around the area has started with many farmers planting both corn and soybeans. Field conditions are generally dry and favorable to planting with good seedbed potential. Soil temperature continue to be a slight concern as they are hovering in the high 40’s and low 50’s, with 50 and rising being ideal. Cover crop fields are still actively growing, and farmers should plan for termination timings that fit their production practices. Pastures and alfalfa fields could use some rains to increase growth as the area is still in D0 or abnormally dry conditions, according to the most recent US Drought Monitor. Overall farmers and producers are moving quickly with these early April field conditions to maximize productivity.”
Meaghan Anderson (Region 7):
Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marshall, Polk, Story, Tama, Warren counties
“Another growing season is upon us! Central Iowa farmers and pesticide applicators have dodged cold and wind to get a lot of fieldwork done in the last several weeks. While it has felt like a cool start to the year, we’ve been fairly steadily above average for GDD accumulation since January 1. Winter precipitation was short and we’ve had a relatively dry last 30 days, but the NOAA outlooks are calling for above average precipitation for the rest of the month of April. Planting took priority this weekend with the warm temperatures and based on the forecast, we might expect to see corn or soybean planted Saturday emerging in just under two weeks. Winter annual weeds are beginning to flower in some areas and numerous early-season summer annuals are emerged as well but no waterhemp in sight yet. Most phone calls in the last week have centered around all things spring fieldwork: herbicides, weed emergence, application timing, nitrogen sources, and planting.”
Rebecca Vittetoe (Region 8):
Iowa, Jefferson, Keokuk, Poweshiek, Washington, Johnson counties
“The last week brought a flurry of various field activities including dry fertilizer applications, anhydrous ammonia applications, spring manure being applied, cover crop termination, burndown and pre-herbicide applications, and planters started rolling especially the end of the week and over the weekend with both corn and soybeans going in the ground. Pay attention to planter settings and make adjustments as conditions change this planting season. Pastures and hayfields have really greened up and are starting to get a little more growth on them. One pest to keep an eye out for in alfalfa fields is alfalfa weevil. I have only seen a few adults in the fields that I’ve checked, but based on GDDs accumulated, I’d expect to start to see larvae feeding here in the next week to 10 days. Question over the last week have been on soil fertility, interseeing forages, potential insect pest activity this spring, and planting considerations.”
Virgil Schmitt (Region 9):
Cedar, Clinton, Des Moines, Henry, Jackson, Lee, Louisa, Muscatine, Scott counties
“Rainfall during the last thirty days in the counties I cover was generally from 0.5 inch to about 2.0 inches, with the heavier amounts generally close to the Mississippi River below I-80. Lingering abnormally dry conditions are worrying people north of about Highway 30, with moderate drought in the northeast 2/3 of Jackson County. The lingering dry conditions have resulted in soil moisture being about 10 – 30% below normal in those areas. Fertilizer application and spring tillage are underway. A few corn and soybean fields have been planted and sprayed. Many untilled fields have large patches of henbit or purple dead nettle. Dandelions and Shepherd’s Purse are starting to bloom south of I-80. Pastures look good, although some are already being grazed before they should be. Most recent calls revolve around soil fertility and weed management.”
Logan McCrea (Region 11):
Appanoose, Davis, Lucas, Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, Van Buren, Wapello, Wayne counties
“The south-central region of Iowa has seen the planting season kick into gear over the past week or so with both corn and soybeans going in the ground across the area. The 4-inch soil temperatures are above 50 degrees, the ground is fit, and the 5–7 day forecast looks promising, at this time with some chances of rain coming up later this week. Sprayers, tillage, anhydrous, and dry fertilizer continue to roll along as well, with wind slowing down some of the herbicide/dry fertilizer applications. Lots of winter annual weeds are showing up in fields with henbit, pennycress, and horseweed being some of the ones that I have frequently noticed. Forages are really starting to green up after this past warm spell and certainly wouldn’t turn down some rain later this week.”
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- Field Agronomist in EC/SE Iowa