Late-season Crop Management Clinic

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering a Late Season Crop Management Clinic on Wednesday, Aug. 26, and Thursday, Aug. 27, at the Field Extension Education Laboratory near Boone, Iowa. Designed for agribusiness professionals and crop producers, the two-day course provides hands-on, in-field experience and discussions of the 2015 growing season, along with the latest research on disease management and identification from ISU Extension and Outreach specialists

Starter Fertilizer Impact on Growth, Development, and Grain Yield of Corn Hybrids and Seeding Rates

Starter fertilizer often increases early-season growth of corn. However, grain yield responses to starter fertilizer are variable. Plant-to-plant variability in growth and grain has been shown to have negative impacts on total grain yield. Our objectives were to measure plant-to-plant variability as affected by starter fertilizer, hybrid, and population. We also studied the impact of starter fertilizer on growth, development, and grain yield of hybrids and populations

Weather Forecast Delays Corn Planting, but Late Planting Does Not Foretell Lower Yields

Average recommended planting dates for corn in Iowa lie between April 12 and May 18 in order to achieve 98-100 percent yield potential, but this varies a bit on the specific location (Abendroth and Elmore, 2010). Currently, Iowa soil temperatures range from approximately 57-63°F (Iowa Environmental Mesonet, 2013). While these temperatures are often considered good for planting because 50°F is the temperature necessary for corn seed germination, the weather forecasted is not ideal for a corn seed to germinate and begin emergence. According to NOAA, Story County highs May 2 and 3, 2013, will be in the low 40s°F with lows in the mid 30s with potential rain, sleet and snow. Last year, on April 26, Iowa soil temperatures ranged from 58-64°F; however, by April 29 soil temperatures dropped to 49-53°F across the state. This swing in temperatures, coupled with rain at that time, resulted in many reports of lower relative yields for corn planted between April 22-26 than corn planted later. Fluctuations in soil temperatures are related to deformed mesocotyl growth, which can result in “corkscrewed corn” (Nielsen, 2012)

Transplanting and Row Cover Effect on Corn

Sweet corn growers in eastern U.S. have transplanted sweet corn started in green houses for earlier harvest and to avoid cold soil germination problems. Floating row covers were used to promote early growth and to provide some protection from frost. The objective of this study was to determine what effect these practices would have on field corn

Evaluation of Foliar Fungicides and Insecticides on Soybeans in Central Iowa

Iowa State University personnel assessed foliar fungicides and insecticide use on soybeans at seven locations across Iowa including the Northwest Farm (Sutherland), Northern Farm (Kanawha), Northeast Farm (Nashua), Curtiss Farm (Ames), Armstrong Farm (Lewis), McNay Farm (Chariton), and Southeast Farm (Crawfordsville) (Figure 1)

Late Planting and Replanting Corn—June 2013 (Part 2)

Fifteen percent of Iowa’s 2013 corn crop remains unplanted as we write the last week of May. After early concerns about drought continuing to plague us, wet conditions have taken the spotlight. To add insult to injury, more rainfall forecast may refill field ‘ponds’ and re-submerge corn in flood plains of our rivers and streams

Evaluation of Foliar Fungicides and Insecticides on Soybeans in Northern Iowa

Iowa State University personnel assessed foliar fungicides and insecticide use on soybeans at seven locations across Iowa including the Northwest Farm (Sutherland), Northern Farm (Kanawha), Northeast Farm (Nashua), Curtiss Farm (Ames), Armstrong Farm (Lewis), McNay Farm (Chariton), and Southeast Farm (Crawfordsville)