High snowfall totals and colder-than-typical temperatures have historically meant hotter- and drier-than-normal summers, which has fueled speculation among some weather prognosticators that the Midwest could see severe drought conditions.

But Iowa State agronomist Elwynn Taylor reported in March that an area of warm sea surface temperature had formed off the coast of Peru. Along with the cooling of water north of Australia, these were signs that La Nina could be fading — and with it the risk of a serious Midwestern drought, Taylor adds.

In addition, a slight cooling north and east of Hawaii is a step toward a good season for the High Plains, Taylor adds.

In Other No Till News

• The University of Arkansas and Monsanto have confirmed glyphosate-resistant johnsongrass in a field in southeast Arkansas. In a separate case, Monsanto and specialists at Mississippi State University have confirmed a case of johnsongrass resistant to glyphosate near Clarksdale, Miss.

• Treating rootworm hybrids with soil insecticides boosted corn yields an average of 12 bushels per acre in university trials across the Corn Belt in 2007. Amvac officials said three-quarter labeled rates, costing about $15 per acre, were used in most plots, which saw yield increases of 4.7 to 18.4 bushels per acre.

• BASF has received its first U.S. seed treatment registration with the EPA’s acceptance of Stamina fungicide. In trials where corn seed was inoculated with rhizoctonia, Stamina improved stand counts by just more than 2% vs. today’s standard treatments, BASF officials say. Yield trials showed a gain of…