Evaluation of Narrow Row Soybeans

Producers continue to look at different management practices to increase corn and soybean yields. One area of interest is planting corn and soybeans in narrow rows. Traditionally, these crops have been planted in row widths of 30 to 38 in. Planters on the market today have the capability to plant corn and soybeans in 15- and 20-in. rows, as well as in twin rows that are spaced 8 in. apart. This study was set up to evaluate the yield impact of planting soybeans in 15-in. rows versus the traditional 30-in. row spacing

Corn Plant Population

Producers continue to plant corn at higher plant populations each year. Seeding rates have increased about 425 seeds per acre per year since 2001 in Iowa. The ability of today’s hybrids to manage this extra plant-to-plant competition has been a catalyst for higher yields. During this same time, seed costs have risen dramatically. The purpose of this study was to look at different corn plant populations and the effect these populations have on yield and economics

Comparison of Twin Row and 30-in. Row Corn

Producers continue to plant corn at higher plant populations each year with the introduction of more stress-tolerant hybrids. As row width stays the same, plants are growing closer together, which leads to more competition among plants. Planting corn in narrower rows allows more equidistant spacing of plants and less competition. Switching to narrow rows (15 or 20 in. rows) requires additional equipment to spray and harvest. Planting corn in twin rows that are spaced eight inches apart and centered on 30-in. rows is one system that allows more equidistant spacing and would not require changes in spraying or harvesting equipment. A study comparing twin rows to single 30-in. rows at various populations was conducted in 2010 at the Northwest Research Farm

Management of Corn Aphids

Many agronomists and producers have noticed a large number of aphids present in select corn fields the past two growing seasons. The two predominant species are the corn leaf aphid (Rhopalosiphum maidis) and the bird cherryoat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi). Currently, there are no economic threshold levels available for producers to use when debating the need for management strategies beyond tasseling. A trial was initiated at the Northwest Research Farm in 2009 to study the impact of these aphid species on corn grain yield

Evaluation of Narrow Row Soybeans

Producers continue to look at different management practices to increase corn and soybean yields. One area of interest is planting corn and soybeans in narrow rows. Traditionally, these crops have been planted in row widths of 30 to 38 in. Planters on the market today have the capability to plant corn and soybeans in 15- and 20-in. rows, as well as in twin rows that are spaced eight inches apart. This study was set up to evaluate the yield impact of planting soybeans in 15-in. rows versus the traditional 30-in. row spacing

Soybean Aphid Threshold

Soybean aphid has been a major pest for producers in Northwest Iowa since their first major outbreak in 2003. Control measures for managing this pest are warranted almost every growing season and much research is being done on managing this pest. Insecticide applications have been the sole management technique for soybean aphid and will continue to be important in the future. An economic threshold of 250 aphids/plant is the current threshold level recommended by Iowa State University. This study was conducted to determine if the current recommendations are useful in managing soybean aphid and maintaining profitability for producers

Yield Response of Planting Corn in Early April

Corn is planted earlier each year, which is one important component in maximizing grain yield. Earlier planting dates can be attributed to larger farms, less spring tillage, improvements in corn hybrids, improved drainage systems, and better seed treatments. Research conducted at the ISU Northwest Research Farm from 2006 through 2009 showed that the planting window for 98 percent or greater yield potential in northwest Iowa is April 15 to May 9. A 95 percent or greater yield potential can be realized from April 15 to May 18. A study was conducted from 2009 through 2011 at the Northwest Research Farm to determine how corn planted in early April compares with corn planted in the recommended planting window for the area

Impact of Rolling on Soybean Yields

Rolling soybeans has become very popular in the past few growing seasons, especially in north central Iowa. Reasons for its popularity include, pushing rocks beneath the cutting height of bean heads, less dirt in the combine and cleaner beans, faster cutting speeds, less damage to cutting systems, and increased soybean yields. The last claim was studied at the Northwest Research Farm in 2009 and 2010 in both tilled and no-till conditions. Both tilled and no-till studies included a control treatment and rolling the soybeans pre-emerge and post-emerge when the beans were in the V1 stage of development. Soybean plots were rolled with a 20 ft Degelman Landroller from Custom Made Products in Humboldt, IA

Northwest Iowa On-farm Research Soybean Yield Response to Headline Fungicide

Six years ago the Northwest Iowa On-Farm Research Project was started to cooperate with local farmers to compare crop production methods on a field scale size. Through this project, over 300 replicated comparisons have been done. Beginning in 2012, the Northwest Iowa On-Farm Research project will be recognized as a part of Iowa State University Farmer Assisted Research and Management (FARM) program. This program will also expand to southwest Iowa, north central Iowa, and central Iowa