Iowa State University offers July crop clinics

Below are the upcoming July Iowa State University crop clinics and events. All events are held at the Iowa State University Field Extension Education Laboratory located just East of Boone, unless otherwise noted. All events occur rain or shine. Events that require pre-registration are listed as such. The formal address of FEEL is 1928 240th St, Boone, IA 50036.

July 11

Field Diagnostic Clinic

FEEL Lab

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

It’s never too early to brush up on your crop scouting skills and field diagnostic knowledge, especially with the wealth of resources available to farmers, crop advisors, agronomists and agribusiness professionals. Participants in this clinic will have the opportunity to see issues that occur in crop fields including diseases, weeds, nutrient deficiency and herbicide and fertilizer injury. Extension specialists will discuss diagnostic methods and skills, management options, and decision making for future crops. This program is meant for new crop advisors as well as individuals interested in a diagnostics refresher course.

Registration deadline is July 6. Click the link to register. All participants of this event will be eligible to purchase "A Farmer’s Guide to Corn Diseases."

July 12

Crop Management Clinic

FEEL Lab

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

This next-level clinic focuses on the ‘how and why’ along with current research. Extension specialists and ISU researchers will be discussing the impacts of common crop problems, how to avoid them, and what steps you can take to improve productivity. This event is open to anyone who has an interest in crop production and management. Iowa State University will have a variety of agronomic professionals teaching the importance of water quality, pest and nutrient management and factors affecting yield that can occur in corn/soybean fields. As an intermediate level course, some of the topics covered will be more related to crop management for future seasons, such as nematode management, full season weed control and hybrid and seeding rate decisions. Other topics will benefit the attendees this summer and fall with decisions about fungicide applications, nitrogen management decisions and soil health and indicators of soil health.

Registration deadline is July 6. Click the link to register.

July 13

Monarch Conservation Summit and Field Day

9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

FEEL Lab

At this event, you will learn about the ongoing ISU field demonstrations and collaborations statewide. The population of monarchs in the eastern U.S. has declined 80 percent during the past 20 years and Iowa is in the heart of the Midwestern summer breeding range. An all-hands-on-deck approach is needed to deploy conservation practices across the state to support the recovery of the monarch population, provide diverse habitat, and improve water quality.

Registration is required. Click the link to register.

July 13

The Harrison County Herbicide Resistance Project

Weed Management Field Day in Soybeans 

10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Larry Buss Farm — approximately 300 feet West of the intersection of US highway 30 and Niagara Trail; South about 2 miles southwest of Logan.

The Harrison County Herbicide Resistance Project features side-by-side comparison of 10 herbicide programs. Join us at the soybean plot to gauge success and implications for future resistance management. This event is free and open to the public. Based on a survey conducted in Harrison County, resistance management is an important concern for waterhemp, marestail, giant ragweed, and Palmer amaranth. Samples of these weeds were collected, grown, and analyzed for tolerance to glyphosate, and results will be shared. These weeds are also being analyzed in the field-trial herbicide programs to determine the effectiveness of 10 different pre and post emergence combinations, which will be observed in the field.

Although the event is free, registration is recommended to plan for materials.

July 30

Youth Crop Scouting Competition

FEEL Lab

8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

High school students (those completing grades 9-12) from Iowa are invited to compete and showcase their crop scouting abilities in corn and soybean fields. The competition will be a one-day event, focused on outdoor learning. Youth will be able to get out into the fields to scout for problems and learn about possible solutions and strategies. During the competition, youth will have the opportunity to interact with Iowa State University faculty, staff and agronomists, as well as professionals in crop-related careers. Prizes will be awarded to the top four teams, while the top two teams have the opportunity to advance to the regional competition in Nebraska. All participants will learn, have fun and take home a free T-shirt.

To register, follow this link.