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Drought Conditions
D3 or Extreme drought conditions first showed up on the US Drought Monitor for north central and central Iowa on August 3. We have not seen this level of drought since April when counties in NW Iowa were still identified in D3 drought. As of today, August 18, D3 drought in Iowa is shown in all of Franklin, most of Hardin, and nearly a third of Cerro Gordo county. With more counties to the east of this area and in NW Iowa also impacted. The new report will come out tomorrow and can be accessed at the link above. I will not be surprised if the D3 area expands further south and west in central and north central Iowa given conditions I have seen in fields this week.
The ISU Crops Team has posted drought resources to the Integrated Crop Management web page. You will note that some of this information was posted in 2020 and some in 2012, but all is still relevant. In addition drought meetings are being held in several location, you can find that information in the Events section below. The National Weather Service from Des Moines shared these two graphic generated by the Iowa Mesonet earlier this week. The first map shows precipitation deficit from August 15, 2020 to August 15, 2021. The solid red lines indicate current areas in D3 Drought. The second graphic shows a more dire situation, showing precipitation departure from January 1, 2020 until August 15, 2021.
From the Field
This August has certainly not been dull! Rootworm beetles are still present in very high numbers in some fields. Sudden death syndrome is showing up in fields, there are still soybean and corn fields with spider mite populations and corn aphids are showing up as well. We are past the time of treatment for spider mites and there are no treatment thresholds for aphids in corn past tasseling, but scouting still helps you to identify what is happening in the field. Most corn fields I have been in are late R4 (dough) to R5 dent; soybeans are late R5. Ear tip back is significant in drought impacted areas, although you commonly hear how good it looks from the road. Soybeans are dropping pods and bean fill is limited with no moisture.
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Events
ISU Extension and Outreach is hosting three drought meetings. The meetings are free and open to all, but registration is preferred. If you plan to attend, please contact the number listed for each site.
Aug 20, Butler Co. Extension Office 10 to noon; 319-267-2707
Aug 20, Grundy Center Community Center, 1:30 to 3:30p.m.; 319-824-6979
Aug 23, Ackley Recreation Center, 9-11a.m.; 641-456-4811
September 8. A strip-till field day will be held at the Ag Engineering-Agronomy Research Farm west of Ames. Registration is required to accommodate for the complimentary lunch. More details.
September 9. The North Central Research Farm Association will host the Northern Research Farm Field Day at the south farm (1040 James Ave, Kanawha). The field day will feature field tours, speakers, and a complimentary lunch. Dr. Chad Hart will be highlighting information about the different carbon markets over the lunch hour. Please register by contacting the Wright County Extension Office at 515-532-3453 by September 7. More details.
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