By Erin Hodgson and Aaron Gassmann, Department of Entomology
Corn rootworm egg hatch was delayed this year because of cool spring temperatures, and adults are beginning to emerge throughout Iowa. Now is a good time to assess root injury caused by larvae and also monitor for adult activity in corn.
Larvae
By Andy Lenssen, Department of Agronomy
Farmers and non-farmers alike are asking the questions, "What is going to happen to soybeans this year? What level of yield can we expect?" Given the lack of rain in Iowa and much of the U.S. soybean belt, current prices and high demand, these are legitimate questions.
By Elwynn Taylor, Department of Agronomy
Corn yield has been less variable during the past 12 years than the previous 20. However, the yield of the past 5 years in Iowa exceeded trend. The national yield has a run of 5 above-trend years; this is an historical record. A run of 4 above trend years occurred in 1984-87 (with a major drought at each end).
The dry conditions during the last two months in Iowa present a challenge in planning for next year's field work, especially if the drought persists. Although it is still a little early to predict rainfall and its capacity to build soil moisture in the soil profile, producers should plan fall tillage carefully.
Tillage of the soil surface leads to loss of moisture that may be needed next spring. Soil with surface cracks allows deeper infiltration of rainfall without extra tillage for fracturing the compacted soil surface layer.
