By Rebecca Vittetoe
Recent rainfall brought some much-needed moisture to many parts of Iowa, but totals varied widely. Unfortunately, some of the recent rainfall events also resulted in localized flooding and some storm damage. Common challenges or issues reported by ISU Extension and Outreach field agronomists across the state include weed pressure, herbicide injury, black cutworms, white grubs, and thistle caterpillars. Read on for more specific updates on what’s happening in fields across the state.
Cherokee, Ida, Lyon, Monona, O'Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux, Woodbury counties
“Crops in northwest Iowa are progressing nicely. Early planted corn is in the V8–V9 stages, while soybeans range from V2–V4. Precipitation has been variable across the region. Areas with little rainfall saw corn leaves rolling last week. The main insect pest being reported is white grubs. The ICM news article “True White Grub Identification and Management” has more on this pest. There has been little disease pressure so far, but weed pressure is increasing. Many corn acres were sprayed last week, and soybean post applications will follow soon. Forage and pasture fields are growing strong.”
Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Hamilton, Hardin, Humboldt, Webster, Worth, Wright counties
“Corn is V4 –V7, and soybeans are V2–V4 across north-central Iowa. Generally speaking, crops are looking good. However, as I usually travel from where I live in Story County to the north, you can see it is much drier the further north you go. Last week while assessing the oat variety trial at the Northern Research Farm, you could see how much the oats were responding to the heat and dry winds over the course of the two hours we were out there. I have received numerous calls from farmers expressing concern over the dry conditions. For the most part corn postemergence herbicide applications are complete, and soybean postemergence applications are starting. Nearly all calls this last week were about herbicide issues, from wrong product put on the wrong crop and tank contamination to numerous drift complaints to neighboring row crop fields, pastures, gardens and lawns. The drift issues are often downright blatant, where comments like “who cares, it’s just a pasture”, are often heard.”
Source : iastate.edu