Corn growers need to scout their fields to determine wireworm populations before planting so they don't miss the optimum treatment window, a Purdue Extension entomologist says. Wireworms, or click beetle larvae, feed on corn seed germ and may prevent plants from sprouting. The pest becomes active when soil temperatures warm into the upper 40s.

When it comes to no-till planting, the key is to minimize the soil and residue disturbance.

With temperatures in the Midwest about 20 degrees below normal at the beginning of spring people will soon start to consider the weather impact on spring planting.

It was the one thing that was on the mind of most everyone at the 2013 annual outlook conference of the U.S. Agriculture Department.

With seed costs going up all the time and pressure to increase yields mounting every year, are you looking for something that could be a game-changer on your farm this spring?

Producers faced with very dry soils basically have three main options when planting winter wheat, says Jim Shroyer, KSU Extension Agronomy State Leader.