Wet conditions this growing season could cause moldy ears. If excessive mold is found, harvest quickly and dry the grain below 15% to prevent more mold growth. To learn how to identify a variety of molds and how to manage them Click Here.

Didn’t have the time to travel to Boone, Iowa to visit the 2008 rendition of the Farm Progress Show?  The Monsanto Technology Showcase has been one of the most talked about and interesting exhibits at the Show over the past few years.  Want to know what is being featured at this year’s Technology Showcase?  (Click here for details)

On August 26th, Monsanto announced that it is launching Acceleron brand seed treatment as part of the seed treatment platform announced earlier this year.  This announcement took place at the 2008 Farm Program Show that is taking place in Boone, Iowa.  (Click here for details)

Many expects had projected this to be an off year for soybean aphids.  The aphids have been doing surprisingly well during August.  There are a couple of reasons to stay on alert for soybean aphids.  One is the later planting dates for many soybeans.  The other is the cooler than normal weather.  (Click here to read more.)

The soybean aphid (Aphis glycines) has been a major pest to soybean production since the arrival of the Asian species to Iowa in 2000.  The soybean aphid has been known to exceed 3,000 aphids per plant in many fields.  A great deal is known about the soybean aphid and there are management strategies to deal with them.  (Click here to read more)

Western bean cutworm is a highly sporadic, infrequent pest that is rarely a problem for most corn growers but, in the rare case of an infestation growers now have a safety net. The Western Bean Cutworm Reassurance Program was developed at Monsanto to help offset costs of insecticide if a western bean cutworm infestation requires treatment. If your YieldGard VT Triple®, YieldGard® Corn Borer with Roundup Ready® Corn 2 or YieldGard Plus® acres are affected by western bean cutworm, Monsanto may reimburse you up to $7/acre to cover the cost of an insecticide treatment.

For detailed explanations of the Western Bean Cutworm Reassurance Program, the Crop Scout Log Sheet, and claim form Click Here.

Important things to note about the program:

• These traits must have been purchased between September 1, 2007 and May 31, 2008.
• A western bean cutworm infestation must be verified and a Crop Scout Log Sheet must be completed by an approved crop scout.
• The claim form must be completed and postmarked by August 25, 2008
• Claim checks will be sent from Monsanto by November 1, 2008

Corn is already behind because of the late start and slow growing conditions. Silk-clipping insect awareness may be at the top of some farmer’s list to help preserve yields. Japanese beetles and rootworm beetles may represent high threats. An insecticide application may be warranted when there are 5 or more beetles per plant, pollination is not complete, and silk clipping is observed. Be on the watch and scout often. To read more about silk-clipping pests Click Here.

Nebraska’s Crop Watch News Service found their first aphids of the season in Dixon County on July 3rd. The infestation was very small and lady beetles were already feeding. The findings were not unexpected as they usually find few in late June to early July in Nebraska. Although the conditions are right for aphid survival and reproduction, this is merely a warning to start scouting if you have not already begun. To learn more aphid management tips  Click Here.

A corn-following-corn management practice has its strengths and weaknesses from year to year depending on weather and insect issues. Continuous corn in Iowa is taking a hard hit because of the climatic stresses and lagging growing degree days of this spring. To check out the variable issues that could be stunting your continuous corn crop  Click Here.

Farmers frequently encounter abnormal corn ears in their fields when the crop has experienced major stresses, such as drought, temperature extremes, disease and insect injury, or misapplied chemicals. These abnormalities often affect yield and grain quality adversely. Ten abnormal corn ears with distinct symptoms and causes are highlighted to help corn growers and agricultural professionals diagnose various ear disorders. Click the following link to see the chart. Abnormal Corn Ears.pdf