Market News
2024 Iowa Moth Trapping Network Update: Week 3
Wed Apr 24, 7:51AM CDT
Windy conditions last week (April 14 to April 20) brought a lot of black cutworm (BCW) moths into Iowa. A total of 157 BCW moths were reported by our cooperators during Week 3. April 17 had the most total moths reported (50 moths), but captures were consistent throughout the week. Ten significant...
A Full Sweep Net
Wed Apr 24, 5:32AM CDT
I’ve been scouting several alfalfa fields in East-Central Iowa this spring, and it’s always interesting to see what you get in your sweep net. While I’ve been able to find quite a few alfalfa weevil adults and larvae in fields this spring, that’s not all I’ve found!
Alfalfa weevil: The adu...
Regional Crop Update: April 8 - April 23, 2024
Tue Apr 23, 5:57AM CDT
Recent rains, cooler temperatures, and the windier conditions have slowed field activities. According to the May 22 NASS Crop Progress Report, 13% of the corn acres and 9% of the soybean acres have been planted. Some of the first planted corn and soybeans have emerged or are getting close to...
New Sprayer Nozzle Publication
Tue Apr 23, 2:00AM CDT
Proper spray nozzle selection plays a key role in effective pesticide applications. There are a lot of useful sprayer nozzle selection guides and even online resources or apps to assist with nozzle selection.
One additional new resource applicators may find useful is a new Purdue University...
Protect Yourself from Pesticides
Fri Apr 19, 3:41AM CDT
Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) is your first line of defense against pesticide exposure. PPE includes items such as gloves, coveralls, aprons, and respirators. Generally, as the toxicity of a pesticide increases, the more PPE items there are required.
Read the Label
Anyone working...
2024 Iowa Moth Trapping Network Update: Week 2
Wed Apr 17, 8:49AM CDT
Moth counts ramped up dramatically during Week 2 of the moth trapping network (April 7 to April 13), although we often get large flights with spring storm systems in April. Despite the low captures reported during the first official week, 70 total black cutworm (BCW) moths were reported last week...
Alfalfa Seeding Recommendations
Wed Apr 17, 6:54AM CDT
Timing is crucial for spring planting. Planting too early can expose young stands to damaging frost, while planting too late can lead to greater potato leaf hopper and weed pressures. Establishing a vigorous alfalfa stand is pivotal for future production, forage quality, and minimizing weed...
Warmest Winter Ever Means Low Mortality for Bean Leaf Beetle
Wed Apr 17, 5:44AM CDT
Bean leaf beetle adults (Photo 1) are susceptible to cold weather, and most will die if exposed to air temperatures below 14°F. However, they avoid harsh temperatures by burrowing under plant debris and loose soil. Each spring, adult beetles emerge from their overwintering habitat and migrate to...
Field Crop Scout School Being Offered on May 16, 2024
Tue Apr 16, 10:55AM CDT
On May 16th, we will be hosting a Field Crop Scout School at the Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm (3115 Louisa-Washington Rd., Crawfordsville, IA). Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m., with the program running from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Particpants from the 2023 Crop Scout School practicing...
Herbicide Carryover This Spring
Tue Apr 16, 3:57AM CDT
Given the dry conditions that prevailed Iowa in 2023, there will be herbicide carryover in 2024. Suspect herbicides that are likely to carryover include, but are not limited to atrazine, clopyralid, and the various HPPD inhibitor herbicides. Specifically, the accuracy, evenness, and timing (i.e.,...
Scout for Alfalfa Weevil in Southern Iowa
Fri Apr 12, 11:59AM CDT
In addition to checking alfalfa stands for winter injury, it is time to start thinking about scouting for alfalfa weevil. With warm temperatures this year, alfalfa weevil development is well ahead of schedule compared to recent years, and adults have emerged from their overwintering sites to lay egg...
Seedcorn Maggots Likely Active throughout Iowa
Fri Apr 12, 8:07AM CDT
Seedcorn maggot larvae feed on germinating seeds or seedlings of corn and soybean (Photo 1). Feeding can slow development or kill the plant, and plant injury is more prevalent during cool, wet springs when plants grow slowly. Even though most of Iowa has been in a drought, recent rain events have...
Starting soil moisture and water table depth in 2024
Fri Apr 12, 4:27AM CDT
Iowa soils can hold 9-12 inches of water in the soil profile and most parts of Iowa have shallow water tables at about 4-7 feet depth. These two sources of water, together with the precipitation, provide water for crop production. Typically, a 250 bu/ac corn yield requires about 22 inches of water...
Planting Season is Upon Us: Here Are Some Quick Planting Considerations
Thu Apr 11, 8:51AM CDT
Planting, in my opinion, is THE most important field operation. Planting in the optimal planting window and into good seedbed conditions will set the plant up for rapid growth and high yield potential. With planters beginning to move or sitting in waiting for better conditions, here are some plantin...
April 11, 2024 Climate Outlook
Thu Apr 11, 7:10AM CDT
Key Points
El Nino transitioning to La Nina during this summer; increased risk of heat
Still need more moisture for streamflow recovery in many areas of the state, particularly southern and eastern parts of the state
Good chances for the planting season to be slightly warmer than average
Past Weat...