By Rebecca Vittetoe
Crops have really started to take off with the warmer temperatures, though growth stages vary depending on planting date. Over the past week, field activity has been strong across the state, including postemergence herbicide applications, sidedressing, planting and/or replanting, and first-cutting hay being put up. For more specific updates on crop conditions and regional activity around the state, Extension field agronomists share insights below
Cherokee, Ida, Lyon, Monona, O'Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux, Woodbury counties
“Many alfalfa fields had their first cuttings last week. Yield and quality seem to be good. Early planted corn fields are hitting the V5–V6 stages, and early planted soybean fields are in the V2–V3 stages. Many fields look to have good stands and populations. Some thinner corn stands may be from early season weather swings. Areas of hail damage across northwest Iowa caused soybean fields to be replanted. Disease and insect pressure have been low, while weed pressure continues to be high.”
Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Hancock, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Winnebago counties
“Postemergence herbicide applications in corn have been made through the week. I have seen corn up to V6 and soybeans up to V2 across the area. Stand assessments were on going, with some replanting or some touch-ups made after hail and soil crusting from previous storms. I have seen a few first-cutting alfalfa and a handful of grass hay fields baled over the last week. Pest reports have been low. Rainfall across the area has been light. Total amount of precipitation was around 0.5 inch for the week.”
Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Hamilton, Hardin, Humboldt, Webster, Worth, Wright counties
“Rainfall has been hit or miss this past week, with some areas receiving no rain and other areas receiving 1.5 inches or more. Corn is V2–V5 and has finally grown out of the “ugly duckling stage” and soybeans are VC–V2. Iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) is starting to show up on soybeans in high pH areas. If dry soil conditions persist, the beans may “flash” yellow longer than usual and symptoms may be severe. The oat variety trial at the Northern Research Farm ranges from Feekes growth stage 8 to 10. There has been a lot of first crop hay cut in the past 10 days and there is a lot of post-applied herbicides going on. General issues of this past week have included poor corn emergence, scattered reports of black cutworm feeding in corn, reports of slugs eating soybeans in no-till fields and pasture issues.”
Source : iastate.edu