KANAWHA, Iowa – Thistle caterpillars, late season crop diseases and crop development will highlight the fall field day at Iowa State University’s Northern Research and Demonstration Farm Sept. 5.
“Farmers and agribusiness will hear the latest on thistle caterpillar and tar spot of corn,” said Paul Kassel, field agronomist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “Thistle caterpillar and tar spot are two new pests that have raised questions for Iowa producers in 2019.”
The program begins at 9:30 a.m. with Matt Schnabel, Northern Research Farm superintendent, giving a review of the growing season and a discussion of summer activities.
Erin Hodgson, associate professor and extension specialist in entomology at Iowa State, will discuss insect issues that occurred in Iowa crops this summer, including thistle caterpillars, soybean gall midge and soybean aphid management for 2019.
Alison Robertson, professor and extension specialist in plant pathology and microbiology at Iowa State, will talk about late season corn diseases. Robertson will also discuss a new corn leaf disease present in Iowa in 2019.
Paul Kassel will discuss the impact of the late planting and summer growing conditions on crop development.
Angie Rieck-Hinz, ISU Extension and Outreach field agronomist, and Karen Wilke, coordinator with The Nature Conservancy, will discuss cover crop management for 2020 and some local funding options.
The farm is located at 1040 James Ave., Kanawha – about two miles south of Kanawha on County Road R35.
Registration and refreshments will begin at 9 a.m. A noon lunch will be available. The field day is free, open to the public and includes complimentary refreshments and lunch. An application has been made for Certified Crop Advisor credits.
