By Rebecca Vittetoe
The last week was a hot and dry one for most of the state. Storms did roll across the state Monday into Tuesday of this week that brought some rain but also strong winds and hail. While disease pressure remains low in both corn and soybeans, southern rust has been confirmed in four counties in Iowa. In the fields southern rust was found in, it was found at very low levels. Read on for more specific on what ISU Extension field agronomists are hearing and seeing in fields around the state.
Cherokee, Ida, Lyon, Monona, O'Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux, Woodbury counties
“Crops are continuing to progress nicely, but dry spots are showing up in areas. A nice rain would have a big impact on both corn and soybeans. Many fungicide applications are being made to corn with disease pressure remains low in both crops. Some insect pressure starting to pop up in soybeans. Weed control is still looking good in most crop fields. Weed pressure in pastures is high in areas. Oat fields are being harvested. Pastures and hay fields are holding okay, but would benefit from some precipitation.”
Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Hancock, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Winnebago counties
“We had a storm roll through northern Iowa on the July 20. Rainfall from a trace up to 2 inches fell across the northern tier of counties. Strong winds and some hail were also reported. In an area of Hancock County wind green snapped and severely lodged the corn in the path of the storm. Currently on average corn is at the R2 growth stage. Soybeans are at the R2 to R3 growth stage, and now is a good time to start scouting for soybean aphids. Alfalfa fields were baled across the area this week. Phone calls have been about fungicide timing, corn diseases, waterhemp and soybean aphids.”
Source : iastate.edu