Resources
This soil health field guide provides information about soil health and its importance to sustainable agriculture systems. The research-based information in this soil health guide highlights the relationships between soil characteristics in an easy to understand format that is useful to farmers, agronomists, agricultural consultants, soil scientists, technical service providers, and extension educators. This soil health field guide is the product of the collaborative efforts of Iowa State University and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Iowa.
Getting to Know the Insects, an introductory publication about crop insect biology, identification, and scouting. It includes information about the life cycle of common crop insects, how to scout for insects, and different collecting techniques.
Palmer amaranth has been identified both in crop fields and in conservation plantings using native seed mixes. Early detection is essential in order to prevent the new weed from getting permanently established in fields where it has been introduced. This publication will help people new to Palmer amaranth differentiate it from waterhemp and the other weedy pigweeds found in Iowa.
Bacterial leaf streak, caused by Xanthomonas vasicola pv. Vasculorum, was recently identified in Iowa. The disease has been found in field corn, seed corn, popcorn and sweet corn. Based on what we know about other bacterial diseases, the pathogen that causes bacterial leaf streak likely survives in corn residue and is spread by wind and rain/irrigation. The impacts on corn yield production are yet to be determined.
This revised, 158-page pocket-sized guide (3-3/4" x 6") combines the Corn Field Guide and Soybean Field Guide in one publication for ease of use by corn and soybean farmers, agronomists, and crop scouts. Newly updated text and images provide the tools for identifying insects, diseases, and disorders of corn and soybean in the Midwest. The guide also contains information on developmental stages, pesticide decisions, and other production-related topics. This publication is constructed of durable, weather-safe materials to withstand regular use in the field.
A Farmer's Guide to Corn Diseases provides an overview of the corn diseases that currently occur in the United states and Canada, with an emphasis on diagnosing diseases in the field. Information for each disease includes symptoms and signs, conditions that favor disease, similar looking diseases and disorders, and a review of basic management options. The book also contains a diagnostic key and disease distribution maps.
Published by APS Press, A Farmer's Guide to Corn Diseases was developed by Iowa State University in partnership with several other universities.
A Farmer's Guide to Soybean Diseases provides an overview of the soybean diseases that currently occur in the United states and Canada, with an emphasis on diagnosing diseases in the field. Information for each disease includes symptoms and signs, conditions that favor disease, similar-looking diseases and disorders, and a review of basic management options. The book also contains a diagnostic key and disease distribution maps.
Published by APS Press, A Farmer's Guide to Soybean Diseases was developed by Iowa State University in partnership with several other universities.
The Digital Ag team is a diverse group of graduate students and professional staff with backgrounds in agricultural, electrical and software engineering, as well as agricultural systems technology and agronomy. Team members specialize in tillage, planting, application and harvest operations. The group is part of the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department at Iowa State University (link) and operates out of the BioCentury Research Farm (link).
USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Information. NASS publications cover a wide range of subjects, from traditional crops, such as corn and wheat, to specialties, such as mushrooms and flowers; from calves born to hogs slaughtered; from agricultural prices to land in farms. The agency has the distinction of being known as The Fact Finders of U.S. Agriculture due to the abundance of information we produce.
The Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic provides diagnosis of plant problems (plant diseases, insect damage, and assessment of herbicide damage) and the identification of insects and weeds from the field, garden, and home. The PIDC is a joint effort between Iowa State University Extension Plant Pathology, Entomology, Horticulture, and Agronomy.
Your source for information regarding soybean diseases, pests, diagnostic tools and more. Read curated summaries and highlights of the latest research.
Housed in the Seed Science Center on the Iowa State University campus, and directed by Dr. Manjit Misra, the Seed Laboratory has a proud history of excellence in seed testing, training, and customer service dating back more than 100 years.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is helping Iowa farmers manage weeds, insects and diseases in their fields. Pest management is key to high yield and quality grain.
Experts from Iowa and surrounding states will provide research updates and results in soil fertility, soil and water management, crop production and pest management.
The ag drainage and water quality research site near Gilmore City, Iowa has been operating for over 25 years to improve the quality of water in Iowa. Funds p...
Introductory information about the symptoms, distribution, and management of SCN infestations.
Drs. Matt O’Neal and Erin Hodgson created a podcast to promote IPM concepts, like identification, sampling, economic thresholds, and insecticide efficacy. They also talk about updates on invasive pests and regulatory news, and translate new research relative to insects in agriculture.
Welcome to the Iowa State University Agronomy Extension Soil Management/ Environment Web Page. This Web page provides research-based information and current Extension and Research projects on tillage and cropping systems, soil carbon sequestration, residue management, and cover crops. Extension publications, newsletter articles, refereed journal articles, and relevant links are listed under each area of interest. Several management tools are listed, including residue and erosion calculators and other decision-making tools.
Welcome to the Iowa State University Agronomy Extension Soil Fertility Home Page. Nutrient topics are listed on the left side. Simply click on a topic of interest and you can find information about that topic, including Extension publications, newsletter articles, conference proceedings and reports, presentations, and links to other related sites. Links also provide access to soil fertility decision aid tools, a photo gallery, and the ISU Soil and Plant Analysis Laboratory.
Calculations of Iowa Soil Loss and residue cover. To calculate the residue cover, select from the following configurations and press calculate.
Water Erosion Prediction Project
This webinar is an hour long presentation that covers three topics: 1) Soil health basic concept and soil functions, and soil physical and biological indicators by Al-Kaisi 2) Application of management practices for improving soil biology as an essential component of soil health by Rick Bednarek, state soil scientist with USDA-NRCS 3) Planning and resource management to enhance and protect soil heath, by Doug Peterson, Iowa and Missouri Regional Soil Health Specialist with the National Soil Health Division of the NRCS.
The Committee for Agricultural Development is located in Ames, Iowa and provides Foundation Seed of the germplasm developed at Iowa State University, as well as offering other services to benefit agriculture.
The Iowa Soil and Land Use site provides data related to the agricultural and non-agricultural uses of Iowa land. Soils have many uses, but not all soils are equally adapted to each use. The data on this site will help you determine the right use for your soil.
The Field Extension Education Laboratory, located in Boone, Iowa, is a 23-acre teaching and demonstration facility dedicated to providing a hands-on learning experience for crop production professionals. This facility has demonstrations used in a variety of programs held throughout the summer months. In these plots, we can show a wide range of management problems, solutions, and diagnostic challenges. It has air-conditioned classroom facilities that complement the in-field sessions, all of which are within walking distance.
Crops publications at the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Store.
Real-time measurements and forecasts for weather, soil water and nitrogen, crop water and nitrogen, yield predictions, crop stage and heat/frost stress.
This web site provides a process to calculate economic return to N application with different nitrogen and corn prices and to find profitable N rates directly from recent N rate research data. The method used follows a regional approach for determining corn N rate guidelines that is implemented in several Corn Belt states.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, with support from the Iowa Certified Crop Advisers Board, has developed and is now offering an online review course for individuals taking the Iowa CCA Examination. This course is offered exclusively online - there is no live, classroom component. See the requirements section for additional technology requirements. The official Iowa Certified Crop Adviser exam is offered twice a year; February and August.
The Iowa Grain Quality Initiative (IGQI) is a cutting edge grain quality research and information program. The interdisciplinary project performs the "rapid response function" at ISU for the grain industry. Through diverse expertise of affiliated faculty and the use of information technology, the project has addressed grain production and processing topics quickly, giving producers and agribusinesses the information needed to make business decisions. Challenges related to genetically modified grains have accelerated the use of alternative delivery systems.
The goal of the Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) is to provide educational information throughout Iowa on the safe and effective use of pesticides. PSEP is responsible for Pesticide Applicator Continuing Instructional Courses (CIC’s) in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS). Other programs that PSEP is involved in include integrated pest management, worker protection, environmental quality, and agricultural health.
Choosing soybean maturities and when to plant soybeans are two critical decisions that farmers make each year. Typically, soybean variety selection occurs months before soybean planting occurs. An added complexity in the decision making is the weather conditions at the time of planting. Each year farmers are faced with the decision of planting into marginal conditions or the potential of late planting. Also, spring and early season weather sometimes forces farmers to replant soybeans later than ideal planting windows.
The International Survey of Herbicide-Resistant Weeds monitors the evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds throughout the world. The site is a global collaboration between weed scientists with a common goal of understanding, preventing and managing the occurrence of herbicide-resistant weeds.
Articles and additional information regarding weeds provided by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Department of Agronomy
Iowa State University, Iowa Environmental Mesonet
This Web page provides research-based information and current Extension and Research projects on tillage and cropping systems, soil carbon sequestration, residue management, and cover crops. Extension publications, newsletter articles, refereed journal articles, and relevant links are listed under each area of interest. Several management tools are listed, including residue and erosion calculators and other decision-making tools.
The North Central Extension-Industry Soil Fertility Conference is attended by University Extension soil fertility and crop production specialists, industry agronomists, crop advisers, and agency personnel, with representation from states encompassing the North Central USA region and Ontario Canada. The goal of the conference is to facilitate sharing of new soil fertility and nutrient management research information and fertilizer industry developments.
This electronic compendium provides information on non-traditional materials marketed for use in crop production in the north central region of the USA. It is a collection of research abstracts and reports released by scientists in State Agricultural Experiment Stations. This electronic compendium contains material previously published in the compendium (1985) and supplements 1 and 2.
Our College is one of the world’s leading institutions of agriculture and related sciences, building on more than 150 years of excellence. The College’s leadership in science, education and extension are vital to the future of Iowa, the nation and the world. Our research and extension programs provide the innovation and science-based foundation needed for decisions about our future. We look forward to building on a legacy of many strengths and taking on new, exciting opportunities.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach helps carry Iowa State’s land-grant mission beyond campus, to be the university that best serves its state.
ISU Extension and Outreach’s Fundamental Principles: Our core purpose is to engage citizens through research‐based educational programs. We extend the resources of Iowa State University across our state. We accomplish our goals by developing diverse and meaningful partnerships.
Agronomy at ISU offers undergraduate programs that lead to degrees in five areas of emphasis ranging from agroecology to business to biotechnology. M.S. and Ph.D. programs are available in agricultural meteorology, agronomy (M.S. only), crop production and physiology, plant breeding, and six areas of specialization within soil science. Faculty and staff are involved in research that builds the body of scientific knowledge, ranging from very basic molecular-level projects to applied, field-oriented projects.
The goal of C.O.R.N. is to provide Ohio's crop industry with the quickest, most accurate information to deal with changing crop conditions. C.O.R.N. is produced through a weekly telephone conference and sent via e-mail and fax to hundreds of Ohio farmers and input industry personnel. C.O.R.N. content is the basis for newsletters, and other mass media efforts in Extension. In one way or another, almost every crop producer in Ohio has been exposed to information from this newsletter.
Our Mission: We partner to end extreme poverty and to promote resilient, democratic societies while advancing our security and prosperity.
The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) links U.S. agriculture to the world to enhance export opportunities and global food security.
In addition to its Washington, D.C. staff, FAS has a global network of 96 offices covering 167 countries. These offices are staffed by agricultural attachés and locally hired agricultural experts who are the eyes, ears, and voice for U.S. agriculture around the world. FAS staff identify problems, provide practical solutions, and work to advance opportunities for U.S. agriculture and support U.S. foreign policy around the globe.
NRCS works with farmers, ranchers and forest landowners across the country to help them boost agricultural productivity and protect our natural resources through conservation.
The ERS mission is to inform and enhance public and private decision making on economic and policy issues related to agriculture, food, the environment, and rural development. With over 300 employees, The Economic Research Service is a primary source of economic information and research in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Information. NASS publications cover a wide range of subjects, from traditional crops, such as corn and wheat, to specialties, such as mushrooms and flowers; from calves born to hogs slaughtered; from agricultural prices to land in farms. The agency has the distinction of being known as The Fact Finders of U.S. Agriculture due to the abundance of information we produce.
We provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management.
The Statistics Division of FAO has launched a new version of FAOSTAT, which is part of the organization's mission to improve data collection and dissemination for development and the fight against global hunger and malnutrition.
The new platform continues to offer free and easy access to data for 245 countries and 35 regional areas from 1961 through the most recent year available. Enhanced features include browsing and analysis of data, an advanced interactive data download, and enhanced data exchange through web services.