ISU Extension and Outreach information and resources for north central Iowa

Cerro Gordo County

ISU Extension and Outreach

2023 S. Federal Ave. Mason City, IA 50401 641-423-0844 bartus@iastate.edu www.extension.iastate.edu/cerrogordo

AG NEWS TODAY

Weeds Week at the ISU NE Research and

Demonstration Farm

By Terry Basol, ISU Extension Field Agronomist, 641-426-6801, tlbasol@iastate.edu

NASHUA, Iowa – Farmers and retailers are encouraged to attend the second

annual Weeds Week program on July 20 at the Northeast Research and

Demonstration Farm near Nashua, Iowa. This one-day, educational program

hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will focus on herbi-

cide resistance and weed management.

“Our goal is to help farmers develop effective weed management plans,” said

Virgil Schmitt, field agronomist at ISU Extension and Outreach.

ISU Extension Field Agronomists, Terry Basol and Meaghan Anderson, will

host the event in Nashua. Each session will include presentations, hands-on

weed management planning, small group discussion and plot tours presented

by extension field agronomists. Attendees will learn how to select herbicides

from the herbicide effectiveness table, identify which herbicides to apply and

develop their four-year weed management plans for their operation or for cus-

tomers.

The Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm is located at 3321 290th St.

Check-in will begin at 9:30 a.m. The program will begin at 10 a.m. and con-

clude at 3 p.m. with lunch served at noon. The pre-registration deadline for the

Nashua location is July 17 at midnight. Walk-ins are welcome, but attendees

are asked to pre-register to assist with facility and meal planning. The $25 reg-

istration fee includes lunch, refreshments, and course materials.

To find other locations or to register online, visit www.aep.iastate.edu/weeds

or contact field agronomists Terry Basol 641-435-4864, tlbasol@iastate.edu or

Meaghan Anderson 319-337-2145, mjanders@iastate.edu.

U.S. Quarterly Hog Numbers Increase

From NEWS NOW, Iowa Pork Industry Center, http://www.ipic.iastate.edu/

The most recent U.S. hogs and pigs quarterly report shows a 2 percent increase

in total number over a year ago and a 1 percent increase from March 1 of this

year. The June 23 report shows a three percent increase in pigs weaned be-

tween March and May over the same time period last year.

Iowa remains at the top of the inventory among states at 20.6 million head,

more than the second third highest states combined -- North Carolina at 8.9

million and Minnesota at 8.0 million. See more info at the USDA NASS web-

site, https://www.nass. usda.gov/Newsroom/2016/06_24_2016.php.

Extension Links

Ag Decision Maker

www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm

Beef Center

www.iowabeefcenter.org

ISU Ag Newsletters

www.extension.iastate.edu/ag/newsletters

Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy

www.nutrientstrategy.iastate.edu

Iowa State Research Farms

www.ag.iastate.edu/farms

Iowa Water Quality Initiative

www.cleanwateriowa.org

Manure Management

www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag

Pesticide Management

www.extension.iastate.edu/pme

Pork Center

www.ipic.iastate.edu

July 15, 2016

… and justice for all Iowa State University Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries can be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity and Compliance, 3280 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.

Cooperative Extension Service, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, and the United States Department of Agriculture cooperating.

Yard and Garden: Addressing Issues with Growing Tomato Plants

Article | 07/13/2016 | By Richard Jauron, Extension Horticulturist, 515-294-1871, rjauron@iastate.edu

AMES, Iowa – Many people love tomatoes from the garden, fresh and

delicious, but diseases that attack them and limit their potential are no

fun to deal with. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horti-

culturists can help solve these issues and ensure a big garden tomato

crop. To have additional questions answered, contact the ISU Hortline

at 515-294-3108 or hortline@iastate.edu.

My tomato plants are wilting despite adequate rainfall. Why?

A vascular wilt may be responsible for the wilting of the tomato plants.

The initial symptoms of Verticillium and Fusarium wilts are wilting of

the plant foliage during the heat of the day. Affected plants often recov-

er in the evening or overnight. Gradually, however, the wilting becomes

progressively worse and many plants eventually die.

Black spots are developing on the bottom of many of the fruit on

my tomato plants. What is the problem?

Blossom end rot is probably responsible for the blackish spots on the

tomato fruit. Blossom end rot is a common problem on tomatoes. It ap-

pears as a brownish black spot on the blossom end (bottom) of the fruit. Secondary organisms invade the brownish black

spot and cause the fruit to rot. Blossom end rot is most common on the earliest maturing fruit that ripen in July and early

August. Read more of this article online at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/article/yard-and-garden-addressing-issues-

growing-tomato-plants.

Learning From This Year's Weed Management Triumphs and Failures

By Meaghan Anderson, ISU Extension Field Agronomist, 319-337-2145, mjanders@iastate.edu

Most herbicide applications have ceased for the year, but it is not too late to evaluate how well the program worked and

what changes might be necessary for next year. Rather than just falling back on old habits, analyze your program closely

to look for improvements for future years.

Surviving weeds from this year will affect weed pressure in next year’s

crops. Identifying this season’s management successes and failures will

make weed management and herbicide purchase decisions easier this winter.

July is not a comfortable time to walk corn fields, but it is easy to check for

weed survivors while scouting for disease or insect problems. Scanning

above the soybean canopy for weeds is a much simpler task. Waterhemp

and other weeds may continue to emerge above the soybean canopy into

August and September.

Identify weeds correctly: When evaluating weed control, the first step is to

properly identify the escapes. If you cannot identify the weed using re-

sources you have, please contact another resource like a local Iowa State

University Extension & Outreach field agronomist. Try to determine why

the weed survived your management program. Weeds that are exposed to

the herbicide can survive a herbicide application for any number of reasons,

and determining why it is important to avoid repeat problems. The main fac-

tors influencing the activity of preemergence herbicides are soil type and rainfall. Was the application rate appropriate for

the soil type, or was rainfall adequate to activate the herbicide and make it available in the weed seed germination zone?

Postemergence herbicides are influenced by many factors, including weed size, environmental conditions, spray addi-

tives, and spray coverage. Spraying weeds that exceed the maximum size specified on the herbicide label is probably the

number one cause of postemergence herbicide failures.

Finally, weeds may survive due to the presence of herbicide resistance within the field. When resistance is just beginning

to evolve within a field, escapes are usually found in discrete patches, and it is often possible to find surviving plants im-

mediately adjacent to dead individuals of the same species.

The final step is to use this information to make decisions for next year. Surviving weeds may warrant a change in prod-

uct or herbicide site of action, increased herbicide application rates, or use of a more innovative approach, like a layered

residual program. Read more online at http://crops.extension.iastate.edu/cropnews/2016/07/learning-years-weed-

management-triumphs-and-failures. Photo: Weeds in soybeans by Kristine Schaefer.

June-Dairy Budget

By Robert Tigner, Nebraska Extension Educator-Agriculture, robert.tigner@unl.edu, 308-345-3390

The June IA-NE dairy budgets improved slightly but both freestall budgets are in nega-

tive territory. Total income rose slightly, $0.16 per day, as did feed costs, $0.011 per

day. The 20,000 pound freestall budget was $2.32 per cwt underwater, the 24,000

pound budget was $0.85 per cwt underwater. 85% of gross income was used up in vari-

able costs not including labor costs. Adding in hired labor, $2.53, total costs are above

gross income by $0.21 per cwt. Thus dairy farms are having difficulty pay all cash ex-

penses. CME cheese prices have risen in the last week of June and that increase has

held for July.

ISU Teaching Farms Offer Pasture Walks Near Ames

Article | 07/13/2016 | By Joe Sellers, Extension Beef Specialist, 641-774-2016, sellers@iastate.edu

AMES, Iowa -- Pasture walks at the Iowa State University beef teaching farm and sheep teaching farm scheduled for July

offer a great opportunity to learn about the farms' animals, facilities and research. ISU Extension and Outreach beef spe-

cialist Joe Sellers said the agenda at both farms provides information on

topics specific to those species.

“The beef teaching farm event is set for July 21, featuring speakers from

Dow AgroSciences and Iowa State,” Sellers said. “The evening starts at

5:30 p.m. and features a meal served by Story County Cattlemen’s Asso-

ciation. There’s no cost and no preregistration is required.”

Jamie Baumgarder of Dow AgroSciences will talk about pasture weed

control, David Bruene of the teaching farm will present information on

the farm’s grazing system and Sellers will talk about the advantages of

managed grazing. The farm is located at 3725 South State Avenue, Ames.

Please use the east driveway.

“The sheep teaching farm pasture walk will be held Tuesday evening,

July 28, starting at 5:30,” Sellers said. “Snacks and soft drinks are provided, and there’s no cost or preregistration.”

In addition to Baumgardner speaking on pasture weed control, Iowa State professor Dan Morrical will talk to the group

about pasture lambing and parasite control. The sheep teaching farm is at 520th Avenue and Zumwalt Station Road,

Ames. Use the east driveway and go to the north barn.

The events’ sponsors are Dow AgroSciences, Iowa Forage and Grassland Council, and Iowa Beef Center. This flier has

details for both locations. For more information, contact Sellers by phone at 641-203-1270 or email at sellers@iastate.edu

or Morrical by phone at 515-294-2904 or email at morrical@iastate.edu

All event attendees should follow Iowa State livestock farm visitor policies. If you have any questions, please call the

Research and Demonstration Farms office at 515-294-5045 or read the Foot and Mouth Advisory.

ISU Extension and Outreach to Hold Annual Turfgrass Field Day

Event will showcase latest research in golf course, sports turf and lawn and landscape management Article | 07/06/2016 | By Adam Thoms, Assistant Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist, 515-294-1957, athoms@iastate.edu

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State University Horticulture Research Station will host the annual Iowa Turfgrass Field Day on

July 28. The program includes demonstrations from Iowa State Universi-

ty researchers and ISU Extension and Outreach specialists in three cate-

gories: golf course, sports turf, and lawn and landscape management. The

field day will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude with a lunch at noon at the

ISU Horticulture Research Station, located at 55519 170th Street north-

east of Ames.

Also included are non-turf sessions involving tree pruning on golf cours-

es, discussions on bees and butterflies and planting design tips for land-

scapes. Pesticide applicator training sessions begin at 10 a.m. and include

restricted entry level, recognition of sensitive sites, right of way and pes-

ticide labels.

Registration for the event can be done online. Cost for the field day is $30, which includes coffee, donuts and lunch. Reg-

istration for those attending pesticide applicator training is $50. Attendees wishing to receive pesticide applicator training

must pre-register, http://www.extension.iastate.edu/article/isu-extension-and-outreach-hold-annual-turfgrass-field-day.

Iowa Farm Outlook & News - ISU Department of Economics

Livestock - Hogs (7/1/16) - Lean hog futures for much of the year have been trading on the thesis of steady pork sup-

plies and robust export demand. But recent price movements have opposed these leading arguments. Lower feed prices,

larger slaughter runs, and uncertainty regarding how large exports can and will expand have contributed to the reassess-

ment of the price potential. The challenge for pork producers the rest of this year will be in managing marketings. If

space is available, producers may find it profitable to feed hogs to heavier weights given the favorable hog to feed price

ratio. However, the concern over large slaughter runs and a fixed slaughter capacity going into October, November and

December means the industry must remain current on slaughter inventory so that more market hogs do not get pushed

into peak slaughter weeks. In the event that there are weeks where there are more hogs out there than U.S. packers are

able to harvest, prices will most certainly fall precipitously. Playing catch-up is not a position the market wants to be in.

With the possibility of significant price drops during certain weeks throughout the third and fourth quarters, taking price

protection at current prices is advised. Read more online at http://www2.econ.iastate.edu/ifo/.

Crops - Supply and Demand Move Higher (7/12/16) - The July updates from USDA pushed both crop supplies and

demands higher. But in the longer run, stock levels are projected to be higher, with steady to lower prices. On the supply

side, the revised acreage and stock numbers from last month were fully incorporated into the projections. Corn produc-

tion was increased by 110 million bushels, while soybean production rose by 80 million.

On the demand side, there were several offsetting moves. For corn in both old and new crop settings, feed and ethanol

usage were lowered, while food and export usage rose. For soybeans, export demand was increased for both old and new

crop. Crush demand was lifted slightly for the new crop, but seed and other uses were lowered for the old crop. Putting

all of the shifts together results in slightly lower old crop ending stocks, but higher new crop (2016/17) stocks.

Season-average prices were held steady for soybeans, at $9.05 for the 2015/16 crop and $9.50 for the 2016/17 crop. Corn

season-average prices were reduced by 5 cents on the 2015/16 crop to $3.65 per bushel and by 10 cents on the 2016/17

crop to $3.40 per bushel.

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Iowa Corn Board Election Cerro Gordo Extension and Outreach, Mason City

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Weeds Week-Weed Management Plans That Work ISU Northeast Research Farm, rural Nashua

Wednesday-Sunday, July 20-24, 2016 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM North Iowa Fair, 4-H & FFA North Iowa Events Cen-

ter, Mason City

Wednesday, July 27, 2016 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Summer Webcast Series-Getting to the Bottom of Tree

Problems Cerro Gordo Extension and Outreach, Mason City

Thursday, July 28, 2016 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM ISU Turfgrass Field Day ISU Hort Research Station,

Ames

To view this newsletter online or find more information about these events, go to www.extension.iastate.edu/cerrogordo or call 641-423-0844.

Cerro Gordo County Extension and Outreach

Calendar of Events

Cerro Gordo Co. Extension Staff

Regional Director Donovan Olson 641-423-0844

donovano@iastate.edu

Executive Director John Sjolinder 641-423-0844 sjolinde@iastate.edu

County Youth Coordinator Kelsey Warner 641-423-0844 kdwarner@iastate.edu

ISU Youth Specialist Gail Castillo 641-423-0844

gail@iastate.edu

Office Manager/Bookkeeper

JoAnn Bartusek 641-423-0844 bartus@iastate.edu

Office Assistant/4-H Support Becky Oelkers 641-423-0844

oelkers@iastate.edu

Agriculture Specialists

Livestock Russ Euken 641-923-2856 reuken@iastate.edu

Agronomy Angie Rieck-Hinz

515-532-3453 amrieck@iastate.edu

Farm Management Kelvin Leibold

641-648-4850 kleibold@iastate.edu