A special USDA task force plans to issue “harmonized” cover-crop rules later this year to eliminate conflicts around crop-insurance policies and potentially remove a significant barrier to cover-crop adoption.

This year has been another interesting one. With recent, much needed rains, soybean planting continues to be delayed. According to the USDA NASS crop report on May 28, soybean planting was 63% complete compared to the average of 79%. As we approach June, we have received questions regarding how agronomic practices should change — if at all — for late planting. The following are considerations when planting in June or July.

Recently I have heard reports of slug damage to corn, soybean and sunflower.

Farmers being observant with seed treatments at planting and pesticide applications during the growing season could minimize ill effects on bee populations, according to Iowa State University entomologists.

An early May storm that soaked Paulding County cleared up nearly a day ago, and the drains buried beneath Terry McClures farm fields are doing their job. The white plastic pipe that funnels water into a ditch along County Road 48 helps keep the 4,000 acres of soft, red winter wheat from becoming a swamp.

As farmers across the Corn Belt continue to battle above- and below-ground insect pests year after year, a comprehensive integrated pest management approach is key to maximizing yield potential, especially in corn-on-corn environments. Integrated pest management is about taking a comprehensive look at how you are managing yield-robbing pests in your field.

Illegal genetically-engineered wheat has been discovered growing in an Eastern Oregon field, which may cause severe marketing and export problems for one of the state's biggest crops.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Conservation Stewardship Program will provide about $175 million in funding for up to 12.6 million additional acres enrollment this year.

This springs cool, wet weather is making it difficult for Iowa farmers to plant their soybeans and making it easier for a well-known pest to affect this years crop. Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS), a soil-borne fungus, is a disease that is highly dependent on the weather and the resistance level of the planted soybean varieties.

Eco Agro Resources is proud to announce its formation and launch on May 1, 2013. Eco Agro Resources is an agriculture and chemical producer and marketer of the next generation of urease inhibitor and patent pending flagship product, N-YieldTM. "Eco Agro Resources is made up of 30 team members with over 100 years of agriculture and chemical experience," says CEO David McKnight. "We have multiple lab and manufacturing locations with a home base in High Point, N.C."