• Field Agronomist Introduction
• Growing Season Update
• Drought Meetings in Van Buren and Appanoose Counties
• SE Research and Demonstration Farm Fall Field Day and CCA Training
• Pest Management; What you should be Scouting for
• Upcoming Events

Field Agronomist Introduction

My name is Josh Michel. I'm a new Field Agronomist with Iowa State that will be covering Southern / Southeast Iowa. I grew up on a farm in Eastern Iowa and went to college at Upper Iowa University. I'm currently working on finishing up my Master's Degree in Agronomy from Iowa State University. Prior to being a Field Agronomist, I worked as an Agricultural Specialist for Iowa State with Research and Demonstration Farms. Before Iowa State, I worked for DuPont Pioneer and the USDA. My wife, Sarah and I have 3 children and live in Wapello, Iowa. I look forward to meeting and working with those in my area. Please feel free to call or email me, so that I may be able to serve your needs.

Growing Season Update

Some small amounts of rain have finally provided some drought relief, but unfortunately overall, many fields are still showing moderate to high levels of drought stress. The most recent drought monitor shows that most of Southern Iowa is either in a D1 (Moderate Drought) or D2 (Severe Drought). Recently, parts of Appanoose, Davis, and Van Buren Counties have been upgraded to D3 (Extreme Drought). More information on the drought monitor can be found here. 

Considering the lack of rainfall, overall the corn crop still looks fair in most areas. Most corn fields are at R4 (dough stage) to R5 (dent stage). However, with grain fill currently happening, this is the time that we don't hot and dry conditions. You can read more here on the impact that drought conditions can have on corn pollination and grain fill. 

Soybeans are continuing to look good despite the limited moisture. Most soybeans are now at R4 (late pod development) to R5 (early seed development). Even though most of the soybean fields seem to be handling the drought conditions fairly well, some fields that have been under severe drought stress may start to see some pod abortions taking place as those plants are trying to decide how many pods they can fill with the limited amount of moisture.

Pastures and alfalfa fields are continuing to show signs of severe drought stress since late spring. Recent small rains and potentially cooler temperatures may help provide some ability for regrowth to happen.

Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm Fall Field Day and CCA Training

 CRAWFORDSVILLE, Iowa – Farmers, farmer advisors and the general public are invited to attend the Iowa State University Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm’s fall field day on September 6 beginning at 1:30 p.m.


 
The field day will feature the following stops:

• Growing season review by Myron Rees, farm superintendent.
• Best management practices for farmers new to using cover crops by Mark Licht, assistant professor in agronomy and extension cropping systems specialist, and Alison Robertson, professor and extension specialist in plant pathology and microbiology at Iowa State.
• Weed management strategies for 2019 and beyond by Meaghan Anderson, field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach.
• Crop market expectations by Chad Hart, associate professor in economics and extension grain markets specialist at Iowa State.

 
Attendees will also have an opportunity to discuss concerns and ask questions with each of the speakers at their respective tour stops.
 
Registration for the field day starts at 1 p.m. with the field day kicking off at 1:30 p.m. Certified Crop Advisor continuing education credits will be available. This field day is free and open to the public with no pre-registration required.

The Southeast Research and Demonstration farm is located at 3115 Louisa-Washington Rd, Crawfordsville, IA 52621.

Directions to the research farm: Go 1 1/4 miles south of Crawfordsville on Hwy 218, then 2 miles east on G-62, then 3/4 mile north. Watch for signs.