Includes Ag Engineering and Agronomy Farm Farm and Weather Summary, Central Iowa Farms Farm and Weather Summary and Project List

Berns, Kent R.

Fiscus, Michael W.

Vandepol, Richard D.

English

Includes Ag Engineering and Agronomy Farm Farm and Weather Summary, Central Iowa Farms Farm and Weather Summary and Project Lists</p

Fiscus, Michael

Vandepol, Richard

Berns, Kent

Digital Repository @ Iowa State University (ISU)

Iowa State University, Ag Engineering/Agronomy, Central Iowa, and BioCentury Research Farms ISRF11-16, 30   1 Ag Engineering and Agronomy Farm and Central Iowa Research Farms Summary  RFR-A11142  Farms Staff  Ag Engineering/Agronomy Farm Manager, Agronomy Farm ................................................................................................ Mike Fiscus Manager, Ag Engineering Farm ............................................................................ Richard VanDePol Manager, Operations .......................................................................................................... Will Emley Manager, GPS technologies ......................................................................................... Nathan Meyers  Farm Equipment Mechanic ...................................................................................................... Jeff Erb Farm Equipment Operator ............................................................................................. Dan Crosman Farm Equipment Operator ....................................................................................... Dale Niedermann  Central Iowa Farms Superintendent and Isolation Plots Manager ..................................................................... Kent Berns Farm Equipment Operator ............................................................................................. John Reinhart  BioCentury Research Farm Manager ......................................................................................................................... Andrew Suby Field Manager .............................................................................................................. Nathan Meyers  Research Farms Coordinator ..................................................................................... Mark Honeyman Farms Manager .......................................................................................................... Dennis Shannon  32 Curtiss Hall  Iowa State University  Ag Engineering/Agronomy Research Farm 1308 U Avenue Boone, IA 50036 515-432-5350 Ag Engineering office phone 515-432-5348 Agronomy office phone Location: West of Ames on Highway 30, across from the United Community School  Central Iowa Research Farms in Story and Boone counties ISU Curtiss Farm 2219 State Avenue Iowa State University Ames, IA 50014 515-290-5088   Iowa State University, Ag Engineering/Agronomy, Central Iowa, and BioCentury Research Farms ISRF11-16, 30   2 Ag Engineering and Agronomy Farm Farm and Weather Summary  Mike Fiscus, ag specialist Richard VanDePol, ag specialist  Farm Comments Field days and tours. We hosted a total of  324 visitors to the farm in 2011. The Iowa Learning Farm hosted a strip tillage/GPS technology field day in August, which attracted 150 visitors. Practical Farmers of Iowa hosted a field day in September, which highlighted conventional corn breeding germplasm. Other tours included two touring groups from Brazil, one group from Deerfield Retirement Community, and a 7th grade class of students from Des Moines, Iowa.   Developments. Nathan Meyers was added to the staff as a GPS specialist to facilitate the use of GPS technology in the research farm equipment fleet and also plot research equipment. He will assist with other aspects of the farm operation relating to plot layout, equipment maintenance, and operation.  A university-wide farm equipment auction was held in November in Ames, giving the Ag Engineering/Agronomy (AEA) Farm an opportunity to liquidate old farm equipment and other related items. Proceeds from the sale were used to help fund updating of the current farm fleet.  The AEA farm staff continued its support of the BioCentury Research Farm and the various projects associated with it through farm equipment and shop facility use.  Facilities. A new 12 ft × 70 ft weigh scale was installed at the BioCentury Research Farm site for use by the farm staff and research projects. New metal siding and roofing was added to the white barn south of the residence. Also, a fiber optic line was brought to the AEA main building for future application of fiber optic communication in 2012.   New projects. Mahdi Al-Kaisi began a research study involving the effects of corn growth and development planted in varying levels of corn cob residue. The study is done in conjunction with the POET bio-refinery to evaluate the affects of corn cob residue left over from corn cob piles stored on the ground in farmer fields.  Cover crop research continues through three different studies conducted by John Sawyer, Kathleen Delate, and Sarah Carlson.  Research continues on biomass harvest and transportation. These projects are led by Matt Darr and Stuart Birrell. Several major equipment companies are helping to support these projects.  Crop Season Comments Oat seeding was completed April 5 and 6. Harvest began in mid-July, with yields of 58 to 85 bushels/acre.  Corn planting started May 4 and was completed May 19. Harvest began September 30 and was completed November 2. Yields were slightly above average with a range of 130–220 bushels/acre.  Soybean planting began May 10 and was completed June 2. Harvest began September 28 and was completed October 28. Average yields were 40–66 bushels/acre.  Weather Comments Winter. A total snowfall of 31.8 inches was recorded with a total moisture equivalent of 3.35 in. January recorded the highest monthly snowfall total of 9.8 in. Iowa State University, Ag Engineering/Agronomy, Central Iowa, and BioCentury Research Farms ISRF11-16, 30   3 Spring. A total of 9.82 in. of rainfall was recorded. The last frost date was May 4, with the last hard freeze on May 3. Soil temperatures at the 4-in. depth began to average 50oF on May 8.  Summer. A total of 12.5 in. of rain fell during the summer months of June, July, and August. Seventeen days were recorded during the summer with temperatures above 90 degrees F., resulting in one of the warmer summers in recent years.  Fall. A total of 5.6 in. of rain was recorded with the first snowfall on December 3.   A total of 31.94 in. of rain was recorded for 2011, 0.09 in. above normal.    Table 1. Monthly rainfall and average temperatures during the 2011 growing season at the  Ag Engineering/Agronomy Research Farm, Boone, IA.   Rainfall (in.) Temperature (oF) Days   Deviation  Deviation 90oF or Month 2011 from normal 2011 from normal above  March 0.79 -1.28 37  1 0 April 4.41 1.25 48 -2 0 May 4.62 0.13 60 -1 2 June 5.05 -0.72 70  0 7 July 3.90 0.47 78 4 8 August 3.58 -0.05 72 0 2 September 2.02 -1.26 60  -4 3 October 0.86 -1.33 54 2 0 Totals 25.23 -2.79   22    Table 2. Ag Engineering/Agronomy Research Farm 11-yr summary of monthly precipitation. Month NR1 ANR2 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Jan 0.88 0.88 1.11 0.26 0.25 0.71 0.50 0.62 0.56 0.24 0.95 1.17 0.70 Feb 0.86 1.74 1.28 1.00 0.47 1.41 1.83 0.41 1.77 0.71 0.25 0.75 1.06 Mar 2.07 3.81 1.10 0.36 1.11 3.52 1.38 2.63 3.09 2.71 4.07 2.07 0.79 Apr 3.16 6.97 3.78 3.71 4.42 2.40 3.29 4.30 5.99 5.22 4.56 3.66 4.41 May 4.49 11.46 7.49 5.13 4.81 8.18 4.38 2.15 6.67 8.49 3.78 3.64 4.62 Jun 5.77 17.23 1.96 3.17 5.90 3.59 4.89 0.81 2.03 10.68 4.11 11.17 5.05 Jul 3.43 20.66 1.90 5.90 6.60 1.96 4.10 5.56 2.95 9.28 2.75 6.74 3.90 Aug 3.63 24.29 2.91 8.21 1.00 5.19 6.76 6.16 7.89 2.10 4.84 11.21 3.58 Sep 3.28 27.57 5.87 1.48 3.93 1.34 4.36 7.51 1.90 3.09 0.96 6.57 2.02 Oct 2.19 29.76 2.56 3.14 0.94 1.79 0.35 2.53 5.41 3.63 7.33 0.38 0.86 Nov 1.14 30.90 1.43 0.18 4.31 3.01 1.89 1.56 0.14 2.59 1.38 2.23 2.72 Dec 0.95 31.85 0.38 0.00 1.05 0.46 0.94 2.67 1.90 1.20 1.96 0.80 2.23 Total 31.85  31.77 32.54 34.79 33.56 34.67 36.91 40.30 49.94 36.94 50.39 31.94 Departure from Normal     -0.08 0.69 2.94 1.71 2.82 5.06 8.45 18.09 5.09 18.54 0.09 1NR = normal rainfall. 2ANR = accumulated normal rainfall    Iowa State University, Ag Engineering/Agronomy, Central Iowa, and BioCentury Research Farms ISRF11-16, 30   4 Central Iowa Farms Farm and Weather Summary  Kent Berns, superintendent  Farm Comments The ISU Central Iowa Farms consist of farmland in Story and Boone counties. There were 2,262 crop acres under Central Farms management with 370 acres devoted to intensive small plot research. The additional acres are used for large-scale research, equipment testing, silage production, and manure application. The student-managed Ag 450 Farm rented 285 acres, of which 103 acres were 50/50 sharecropped. The Ag 450 Farm also is hired to perform custom farm work on a portion of the Central Iowa Farm acres.  Highlights. The Agronomy Farm Mobile Plot Unit and the Central Iowa Farms were merged into one operation in 2010 due to a retirement. The integration has gone well.  We continue to make numerous tile repairs and improvements at many farms. An 11/15 row side-dress fertilizer applicator was purchased and used on 710 acres. A new 12-row planter was purchased and used on 1,245 acres. The planter is equipped with GPS controlled row clutches.  Projects. A project list is available in this report.  Crop Season Comments The 2011 season was again very challenging. Very little corn was planted prior to May 1. Heavier precipitation occurred again during spraying season. The weather switched to hot and dry at corn pollination time. Japanese beetle populations were extremely high at many farms.  Corn planting began on May 1 and was completed on May 12. Corn silage yields averaged 24 tons/acre with 68 percent moisture. Corn silage was harvested on  325 acres. Corn grain yields averaged  186 bushels/acre and ranged from 139 to  208 bushels/acre.  Soybean planting began on May 8 and was completed on May 22. Soybean aphid levels remained low during the growing season. Yields averaged 55 bushels/acre. Fall harvesting of corn and soybeans began on September 25 and was completed on November 2.   Weather Comments The Ag Engineering/Agronomy Farm weather summary (Table 1, page 3) represents the weather data for all of the farms in central Iowa covered by this report.     Iowa State University, Ag Engineering/Agronomy, Central Iowa, and BioCentury Research Farms ISRF11-16, 30   5 Project List  Project-Agronomy Farm Department Project Leader Alternative biomass cropping systems Agronomy K. Moore/L. Schulte Biomass research-corn production Ag/Biosystems Engr S. Birrell Canola cropping systems research Agronomy M. Wiedenhoeft Comparison of biofuel systems (COBS) Ag Engr/Agronomy M. Liebman/M. Helmers Corn and soybean disease research Plant Pathology A. Robertson Corn breeding Agronomy K. Lamkey Corn breeding Agronomy T. Lubberstedt Corn breeding Agronomy M. Lee Corn breeding Agronomy J. Edwards Corn breeding Agronomy P. Scott Corn cob residue study Agronomy M. Al-Kaisi Corn rootworm/disease research Plant Pathology N. Lauter Corn stover residue removal study Agronomy M. Al-Kaisi/J. Sawyer Corn/soybean cover crop research Agronomy J. Sawyer Cover crop research PFI S. Carlson Forage genetics/biomass research Agronomy K. Moore Global Maize Study Agronomy J. Sawyer/R. Elmore ISU Extension corn management research Agronomy R. Elmore Long term nitrogen trials Agronomy J. Sawyer Long-term continuous corn tillage study Agronomy M. Al-Kaisi Long-term tillage study Agronomy M. Al-Kaisi Maize genetics breeding Agronomy P. Peterson Organic corn breeding Agronomy J. Edwards Organic cover crop research Agronomy K. Delate Small grains research Agronomy G. Patrick Soil fertility  Agronomy A. Mallarino Sorghum breeding Agronomy M. Salas-Fernandez  Soybean breeding USDA R. Palmer Soybean breeding Agronomy W. Fehr Soybean cyst nematode trials Plant Pathology G. Tylka/S. Cianzio Soybean disease research Plant Pathology L. Leandro Soybean extension research Agronomy J. Lee Soybean iron chlorosis plots ICIA J. Rouse Soybean yield trials ICIA J. Rouse Soybean/corn disease research Plant Pathology G. Munkvold Sustainable ag cropping systems  Agronomy M. Liebman Switchgrass/miscanthus research Agronomy E. Heaton Western bean cutworm research USDA/Entomology T. Sappington    Iowa State University, Ag Engineering/Agronomy, Central Iowa, and BioCentury Research Farms ISRF11-16, 30   6  Projects on site, Ag Engineering Project Leader Ag drainage well M. Helmers Biomass harvest systems M. Darr Biomass harvesting S. Birrell/John Deere COBS project-South Reynoldson Farm M. Helmers/M. Thompson/M. Liebman Manure/water quality M. Helmers Teaching (GPS technology) M. Darr Soil nutrient/biomass harvest S. Birrell/D. Karlin/USDA Wetlands M. Helmers L.E.B.R.C. Lab Ag Engineering and Biosystems Engineering/VanDePol USDA plots USDA researchers and Syngenta USDA/plant physiology T. Kaspar    Iowa State University, Ag Engineering/Agronomy, Central Iowa, and BioCentury Research Farms ISRF11-16, 30   7 Project List  Project-Central Iowa Farms Farm Location Project Leader Corn isolation plot (3) AnS Teaching K. Lamkey Corn isolation plot Beach Bottom M. Blanco/F. Engstrom Remote sensing Been B. Hornbuckle Corn isolation plot Bennett T. Peterson Corn isolation plot Bennett K. Wang/K. Warnberg Isolation plots (4) Bennett J. Edwards Manganese × glyphosate study Bennett M. Licht Non SCN prep area Bennett G. Gebhart Bean leaf beetle study Curtiss F. Nutter Corn and soybean herbicide research Curtiss M. Owen Corn isolation plot Curtiss T. Peterson Genetics corn nursery Curtiss R. Wise Genetics corn nursery Curtiss Plant Trans. Facility Genetics corn nursery Curtiss P. Schnable Genetics corn nursery Curtiss E. Vollbrecht Iowa corn yield test Curtiss J. Rouse Soybean × traffic (high loss) Curtiss S. Wiggs/D. Mueller Soybean × wheel traffic Curtiss S. Wiggs/D. Mueller Soybean diseases – SDS Curtiss L. Leandro Soybean growout Curtiss ICIA Soybean insect study Curtiss E. Hodgson/G. Vannostrand Soybean seed treatment study Curtiss G. Munkvold Biomass-corn stover Dairy M. Darr Harvest guidance systems Dairy M. Darr Isolation plot Dairy P. Weber/A. Gassman Rodent survey Dairy B. Danielson Weather station Dairy F. Goodman Weed science plot Dairy J. Lux/M. Owen Corn isolation plot Equine P. Schnable Corn isolation plot Equine K. Warnberg Isolation plot Equine P. Weber Corn breeding Finch P. Schnable Mesocosms Hinds W. Crumpton Miscanthus nursery Hinds E. Heaton Soybean diseases Hinds S. Navi Soybean diseases Hinds X.B. Yang Soybean diseases Hinds L. Leandro Soybean pathology Hinds A. Robertson Soybean pathology Hinds D. Mueller Soybean pathology Hinds G. Tylka Bean leaf beetle studies Johnson E. Hodgson Corn borer moth trapping Johnson R. Ritland Corn breeding Johnson P. Schnable Iowa State University, Ag Engineering/Agronomy, Central Iowa, and BioCentury Research Farms ISRF11-16, 30   8 Project-Central Iowa Farms (cont’d) Farm Location Project Leader Corn diseases Johnson G. Munkvold Corn insect studies Johnson R. Hellmich Corn insect studies Johnson E. Hodgson Corn insect studies Johnson A. Gassman Corn pathology studies Johnson G. Munkvold Corn/corn tillage Johnson M. Licht Double haploid corn nursery Johnson U. Frei/T. Lubberstadt Nitrogen study Johnson M. Licht No-till seed treatment Johnson G. Munkvold SCN soybean plot Johnson G. Gebhart/G. Tylka Seed treatment/corn nematode Johnson M. Licht Study area and trap crop Johnson P. Weber/A. Gassman Waterhemp growout Johnson R. Hartzler Continuous corn no-till Kelley R. Hellmich/K. Bidne Tile water study, nitrogen stabilizer study Kelley R. Hartwig Poplar trials/forestry breeding Moore Bottom R. Hall Corn isolation plot Packer T. Peterson Corn isolation plot Packer J. Edwards Biomass-switchgrass South Woodruff E. Heaton Corn observation South Woodruff ICIA Corn yield trial South Woodruff J. Edwards SCN soybean study South Woodruff C. Marett Corn isolation plot Vet Med E. Vollbrecht Corn isolation plot Vet Med P. Becraft Regulatory soybeans West Curtiss L. Li Weed research West Curtiss M. Owen Corn diseases Woodruff A. Robertson Corn isolation plot Woodruff M. Blanco/F. Engstrom Cyst nematode control studies Woodruff G. Tylka Transgenic corn isolation nursery Woodruff P. Becraft Transgenic corn isolation nursery Woodruff T. Peterson Transgenic corn isolation nursery Woodruff E. Vollbrecht Transgenic corn isolation nursery Woodruff A. Myers Isolation plot Zumwalt P. Schnable   

Ag Engineering and Agronomy Farm and Central Iowa Research Farms Summary

Ag Engineering and Agronomy Farm Farm and Weather Summary, Project List, Central Iowa Farms Farm and Weather Summary</p

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Ag Engineering and Agronomy Farm and Central Iowa Research Farms Summary

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Digital Repository @ Iowa State University (ISU)

Digital Repository @ Iowa State University (ISU)