Subsoil Moisture Levels for 2004

Each spring and fall, a soil moisture survey is conducted to determine the amount of plant-available water (PAW) in the top five feet of the major soils in Iowa. Adequate soil moisture reserves increase the probability of average or above-average crop yields in the following season. Producers may use this information to alter their crop management plans according to expected soil moisture levels. Several sampling sites are located at the Western Research and Demonstration Farm

Soybean Yield Response to Soybean Aphid Control

The soybean aphid (Aphis glycines) is a new pest to soybeans in Iowa and the United States. First observed in Wisconsin in the fall of 2000, the soybean aphid has spread to most north-central U.S. soybean fields over the last three years. The soybean aphid is unique in that it is the only aphid that reproduces on soybeans. The soybean aphid caused economic losses to soybeans in northeast Iowa in 2001 and caused only isolated problems in 2002. But in August of 2003, the aphid spread rapidly and colonized soybean fields in the upper one-half of Iowa counties, causing widespread yield and economic losses

Western Bean Cutworm Monitoring Project in Northwest IA

The western bean cutworm (WBC) has typically been an occasional pest of corn in northwest Iowa, and is more notably known to cause damage to crops in western Nebraska. Yet, beginning in 1999, the WBC has caused economic damage to corn in isolated locations of northwest Iowa, primarily in northern Ida County. Most recently, western bean cutworm moths and injury to corn have been found in most northwest Iowa counties. Because of the western bean cutworm’s potential to cause large yield losses in corn and its presence in successive years, ISU extension researchers initiated a multi-county pheromone trapping project. Information from this effort can be used to determine how widespread the pest is and to aid in scouting and treatment recommendations

Subsoil Moisture Levels for 2002

Each spring and fall a soil moisture survey is conducted to determine the amount of plant-available water (PAW) in the top five feet of the major soils in Iowa. Adequate soil moisture reserves increase the probability of average or above average crop yields the following season. Producers may use this information to alter their crop management plans according to expected soil moisture levels. Several sampling sites are located at the Western Research and Demonstration Farm

Fall 2001 Subsoil Moisture Levels

Each spring and fall, a soil moisture survey is conducted to determine the amount of plant-available moisture in the top five feet of the major soils in Iowa. Adequate soil moisture reserves increase the probability of average or above-average crop yields the following season. Producers may use this information to alter crop management plans according to expected soil moisture levels. Several sampling sites are located at the Western Research Farm (WRF)

Western Bean Cutworm Monitoring Project in Northwest Iowa

The western bean cutworm (WBC) has typically been an occasional pest of corn in northwest Iowa and is more notably known to cause damage to crops in western Nebraska. Yet, beginning in 1999, the WBC caused economic damage to corn in isolated locations of northwest Iowa, primarily in northern Ida County. In 2002, western bean cutworm moths were found in most northwest Iowa counties (Table 1). Because of the western bean cutworm’s potential to cause large yield losses in corn and its presence in successive years, ISU extension researchers felt it was necessary to monitor its presence in northwest Iowa with the use of moth traps. The trap data were also a tool to help determine when scouting for WBC should begin

Weather and Growing Season Summary, 2005

Includes: Weather Summary Insect Pests Plant Disease Crop Yields and Qualit

Weather and Growing Season Summary, 2003

Includes: Weather Summary Insect Pests Plant Disease Crop Yield and Qualit