This newsletter is an update on current topics and events in agriculture in Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marshall, Polk, Story, Tama, and Warren counties.
Updates from an agronomist and weed nerd in central Iowa.
In this issue:
Herbicide, Insecticide, and Fungicide Classification Charts
March 17 Cover Crop Field Day
Spring field and equipment prep
Residual herbicides and cover crops
2020 Herbicide Guide for Iowa Corn & Soybean Production
Seeking Cooperators for Moth Trapping Network!
Last chances for private pesticide applicator training
Grain bin safety reminders
QoI (FRAC Group 11) resistance common in frogeye leaf spot
Corteva ends chlorpyrifos production: what does this mean for you?
Oat and cereal rye variety trials
Herbicide, Insecticide, and Fungicide Classification Charts
I will be receiving more herbicide, insecticide, and fungicide classification charts in March after running out of most of them this pesticide applicator training season. If you'd like a copy of one or more of these charts, please email me at mjanders@iastate.edu and I will figure out a way to get them to you.
The charts are also available to download for free online. Find the herbicide, insecticide, and fungicide charts downloadable at those respective links.
March 17 Cover Crop Field Day in Indianola
Join us on Tuesday, March 17 for a field day focused on spring cover crop management from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. at Agri-Tech Aviation's airplane hangar near Indianola. This field day includes a free lunch and a lot of great information! Read more about this field day here. Please RSVP by March 12 to ilf@iastate.edu or 515-294-5429.
Spring field and equipment prep
Warm temperatures and a clear forecast has me thinking of spring fieldwork. Here are some nice resources for your early spring fieldwork and equipment prep prior to getting in the field:
We often get questions about integrating cover crops and residual herbicides together in the spring. In particular, one key question is whether application of a residual herbicide with the cover crop termination pass will result in tie up of that residual herbicide by the living plants. Recent research from the University of Missouri shows that yes, herbicides can get tied up in the cover crop plants. Read more in our recent ICM News article about managing this issue.
2020 Herbicide Guide for Iowa Corn and Soybean Production
I apologize for the delay, but we have now published the 2020 Herbicide Guide for Iowa Corn and Soybean Production. Download it for free at this link.
Seeking cooperators for moth trapping network!
The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Team at ISU is looking for cooperators to help with their longstanding program of monitoring field crop pests across the state. This effort focuses on migratory moths that fly up to Iowa every spring and provide an early warning system to help us better predict when and possibly where injury will occur. You can learn more about the trapping network and sign up to help by clicking the link in the article We need you! Iowa Moth Trapping Network Seeking Cooperators for 2020.
Last opportunities for private pesticide applicator training this spring
I have just a few more private pesticide applicator trainings coming up in Story and Tama counties. You can see the full list of my trainings here. You can also search the ISU Extension and Outreach calendar to look for pesticide applicator trainings in March and April; you will want to look for ones that are for private pesticide applicators.
Several counties will offer a 'last chance' private pesticide applicator training on either April 14 or 15. Please contact your local county extension office to see if they are hosting one or if one is happening in a nearby county. County offices appreciate it very much if you call ahead.
Grain bin safety reminders
As temperatures begin to warm and grain begins or continues to come out of the bin, remember to keep safety in mind when emptying grain bins. This has been a popular subject in the press recently, including in a recent release from ISU Extension and Outreach found here. Grain stored last fall at higher moistures is more likely to spoil and has potential to crust or clump, making unloading difficult. This University of Nebraska Extension article from last winter goes through some potential hazards and nice, short tips to keep everyone safe working around grain this spring.
QoI (FRAC Group 11) fungicide resistance common in frogeye leaf spot
I mentioned this in my last newsletter, but I have a number of new subscribers and want to mention it again in case anyone hasn't been keeping up. Frogeye leaf spot has been identified as resistant to QoI (FRAC Group 11) fungicides in many Iowa soybean fields. While fungicide applications in soybean are fairly common, it is important to use fungicides when necessary to manage fungal pathogens and to choose products that will be effective against the disease of concern. Use the resources below to learn more and don't hesitate to reach out if you've got questions.
Corteva ends chlorpyrifos production: what does this mean for you?
Corteva recently announced it would end production of chlorpyrifos (IRAC Group 1B insecticide) by 2021. You may more readily recognize chlorpyrifos as its common trade name Lorsban. Corteva states the decision comes as demand for the product has decreased.
Chlorpyrifos products will still be produced by other manufacturers, but read more about this update and some more tips about what it will mean for you in this ICM News article by Ashley Dean and Erin Hodgson.
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