Iowa Soybean’s Research Center for Farming Innovation strives to address on-farm challenges, as well as improve productivity, profitability, and sustainability through farmer-led research.
The Association’s head of research offers additional insight into issues staff members are actively monitoring and studying.
The Research Center for Farming Innovation is not conducting in-house studies on weeds this year, shares Ed Anderson, ISA senior director of research. However, the newly integrated research center acknowledges Iowa’s leading production challenge.
?In addition to keeping a finger on the pulse and offering input is championing an integrated weed management approach. This is not novel to us. There are companies and universities that have, especially with the development of herbicide resistant weeds, been championing this integrated approach,” Anderson says.
The Research Center for Farming Innovation promotes the United Soybean Board?s Take Action Program. Additionally, the Center supports the Iowa Pest Resistant Management Program, led by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and Iowa State University.
“Whether you’re talking about weeds, insects, or diseases, this is about knowing what you have in your field,” Anderson says. “We emphasize scouting – Understanding what pressures are there and understanding you need to incorporate herbicides and cultural practices into weed management.”
Research Center for Farming Innovation staff also recognize opportunities for cover crops in weed management, says Anderson.
“Think about your lawn at home. If you have a good, thick, lush stand of grass, you’re not going to have a lot of weed germination. Cover crops can serve the same purpose,” Anderson says.
