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Fairy Rings in Lawns
Seeing greener grass in circular pattern in your lawn? This is not due to uneven fertilizer application, but rather due to a fungi feeding on decomposing matter and releasing nitrogen in the affected areas.
Scout for Tan Spot in Winter Wheat
Tan spot was observed in a few winter wheat fields scouted recently. It is important to scout winter wheat for tan spot and other early diseases developing before deciding to apply an early-season fungicide tank mixed with herbicide.
Attending World Pork Expo? Consider Biosecurity
The World Pork Expo will return to the Iowa State Fair June 9–11, 2021. Pork producers and production employees must always be vigilant about biosecurity, especially when visiting industry events.
Haul the Feed or the Cows
Reduction in pasture forage availability may require producers to decide between hauling feed or hauling cows. Learn how to decide which option is best for your operation.
Cotton Strip Soil Test: Rapid Assessment of Soil Microbial Activity and Diversity in the Field
Soil has always been considered as a living system due to its biological components: fungi, bacteria and plant roots. Under several ongoing research projects, we started researching how we can use ‘cotton strip assay’ to compare different cover crop mixes to optimize field soil activity and build up better soil health.
How’s Life in the Soil? Ask (Count) the Earthworms.
Earthworms are ‘very special’ creatures on earth, and their contribution in soil nutrient cycling and fertility management has been acknowledged from the beginning of agriculture. So, the question needs to be asked, how can we help improve earthworm populations?
Winter Cow Supplementation and Cold Stress
Extreme winter weather makes it challenging to meet a cow’s nutrient requirements. With below-normal temperatures come challenges of ensuring adequate nutrition and protection for livestock, including being prepared to provide additional feed and shelter.
Supplementing Cows on Crop Residue
During winter, it is a common practice to have cows graze crop residue. This helps reduce the amount of forage needed to maintain a cow for part of the year, while reducing annual feed costs. However, cows may eventually need supplementation when grazing crop residues.
Updated Guidelines for Monitoring Colostrum Consumption and Antibody Transfer in Calves
Dairy and beef producers have long understood the importance of colostrum for the short- and long-term health of their calves. Calf health experts have determined the minimum level of serum protein to categorize a calf as having received sufficient colostrum.
Biosecurity for Beef Cow-Calf Operations: Managing the Entry of New Animals
Infectious disease can impact cow-calf operations in dramatic ways. These steps should be considered the minimum standards for introducing new animals into cow-calf operations to avoid the spread of infectious disease.