Hail Damage Disaster Recovery Web site Offers Crop Information

ISU Extension has set up a Hail Damage – Disaster Recovery Web site in response to the needs of Iowa producers making hail damage decisions. This site includes information on topics listed below, with additional information to be posted as harvest approaches: assessing crop damage emergency forage salvaging a hail damaged crop foliar fungicide and hail damage silage harvest issues grain harvest issue

Five years of soybean aphid in NE Iowa: What have we learned?

Since the onset of soybean aphid in northeast Iowa in 2001, Iowa State University Extension has conducted research trials near Decorah. We have monitored this pest\u27s activity on a weekly basis and tested foliar insecticides, timing of applications, insecticide seed treatments, and certified organic aphid deterrents. At the Howard County Experimental Farm near Cresco/Saratoga and at the Iowa State University Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm near Nashua, we also measured aphid activity relative to soybean plant populations, row spacing, tillage systems, planting dates, and relative maturity of varieties. In this article, I provide a general summary of most of this soybean aphid research and highlight trends and patterns that we have observed in northeast Iowa

Three Years of Soybean Aphid Activity in Northeast Iowa

The first significant occurrence of Soybean Aphid activity in northeast Iowa was in 2001. Significant populations of aphids, in some cases exceeding 10,000 aphids per plant, were found across approximately 200,000 acres of soybeans in northeast Iowa. For those that treated for the pest, the typical yield response to foliar insecticide applications was about 10 bushel per acre. Net return to treatment averaged $35 per acre for an approximate recovery of$5 million of income from the potential $10 million of damage being caused by the pest. Not everyone treated for the pest because the potential damage from soybean aphid was largely unknown. In 2002, soybean aphids once again appeared in northeast Iowa. Populations did not appear to approach levels where insecticide treatments would be recommended. However, the general presence of soybean aphid was noted across the entire state, not just northeast Iowa

Best Management Production Input Approach to High Yielding Alfalfa

Eight alfalfa production inputs were evaluated on best profit per acre. Iowa State University (ISU) fertilizer recommendations proved to be more profitable than for using a higher fertilizer rate. Additional inputs of foliar fertilizer and Bioforge applied to every regrowth did not improve profitability. Select use of foliar insecticide when pest levels exceeding thresholds appeared to be profitable, but prophylactic applications to every regrowth did not improve overall profitability. Foliar fungicide applications improved profitability for some harvests, but not all. Most profitable use appears to be to apply in late April to benefit first crop yield

First Step in Recovering Flooded Pastures and Hay Ground

Flood waters are receding, but the challenges in recovery for farmers and livestock producers are just beginning. We recommend producers get out in their fields as soon as possible to assess the damage to pastures and hay ground, then check out possible disaster assistance. Look for three things in the assessment: debris, silt on the forage, and thinned or dead forage plants. Debris includes wire, metal and trash that may be injurious to animal health and is usually found along fence lines and in the corners of fields

Oat Variety Trial

Oat is the majorspring-sown small grain crop in Iowa. Spring-sown small grains can be used for grain and straw production, as a companion crop to establish hay and pastures, or for early-season forage as hay or haylage. Because small grains generally mature before the end of July, a forage legume, cover crop, or green manure crop can follow oats, or animal manure can be spread on the field in which oats were grown

Oat Variety Trial

Oat is the major spring-sown small grain crop in Iowa. Spring-sown small grains can be used for grain and straw production, as a companion crop to establish hay and pastures, or as a source of early-season forage as hay or haylage. Because small grains generally mature before the end of July in Iowa, a forage legume, cover crop, or green manure crop can follow oats, or animal manure can be spread on the field in which oats were grown

Effect of Certified Organic Products on Soybean Aphid

The soybean aphid (Aphis glycines), native to China, has become the most economically damaging insect in soybeans in northeast Iowa. Soybean aphid may have up to 18 generations per year, beginning with overwintering eggs on the alternate host buckthorn. In spring, winged aphids migrate from buckthorn to nearby emerged soybeans. Generations advance in these fields, and then another winged migration occurs in summer spreading from these fields to others. A third migration occurs in fall with aphids moving back to buckthorn. Depending on the season, soybean proximity to buckthorn, and soybean aphid migration patterns, populations of aphids tend to peak in soybeans anywhere from late July to early September. With higher aphid populations, the production of honeydew (the excrement of the aphid) and the resulting black fungus that grows on it (sooty mold) may become apparent. Aphid feeding may cause stunted plants, reduced pods and seeds, and may also transmit viruses that could cause mottling and distortion of leaves, reduced seed set, and discolored seeds

Effect of Sulfur and Boron Fertilization on Alfalfa

Historically, sulfur (S) deficiency has not been an issue for crop production in Iowa. Research results as recent as 2002 on corn and soybeans were consistent with previous results. The exception was a long-standing suggestion to apply S as commercial fertilizer or livestock manure for alfalfa production on sandy soils

Oat Variety Trials, 2010 and 2011

Oat is the major spring-sown, small grain crop in Iowa. Spring-sown small grains can be used for grain and straw production, as a companion crop to establish hay and pastures, or as a source of early-season forage as hay or haylage. Because small grains generally mature before the end of July, a forage legume, cover crop, or green manure crop can follow oats, or animal manure can be spread on the field in which oats were grown