Corn and soybean growers have until June 3 to decide whether they will participate in the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) plan or continue with the regular Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payment Program. Both programs, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency, are intended to help protect farm revenues.

From drought to flood conditions, it seems there is no longer a “normal” growing season for Iowa farmers. A year of drought in 2012 was followed by a cool, wet spring this year. These types of weather extremes can be very damaging to Iowa’s soils, but conservationists are finding that farmers who apply soil health practices like cover crops are the least affected.

Corn can face many different stresses capable of reducing stands, such as cold or wet soils, insect feeding and unfavorable weather conditions. In severe cases of stand reduction, growers will need to determine if replanting will be more profitable than keeping the current crop.

Extra nitrogen left in the soil after drought reduced corn yields last year has likely been lost with excess soil moisture in the winter and spring, says Jim Camberato, a Purdue Extension agronomist. Most leftover N was in the form of nitrate, which is easily lost with soil moisture and to the air.

Troubleshooting emergence problems early is critical in identifying solutions and developing successful replant plans, if needed. Here's a list of a few common things to look for if you encounter an emergence problem in corn this spring.

The increasing prevalence of waterhemp plants and populations that demonstrate resistance to herbicides from more than one site-of-action family increases the importance of controlling any emerged waterhemp plants before planting.

Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN) issued the following statements after the House Agriculture Committee approved the farm bill, H.R. 1947, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management (FARRM) Act of 2013, by a large, bipartisan vote of 36-10. Committee members also adopted, by voice vote, an en bloc amendment.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack reminds farmers and ranchers that the USDA will conduct a four-week Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general sign-up from May 20 to June 14. Vilsack also announces the restart of sign-up for continuous CRP, including the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Initiative, the Highly Erodible Land Initiative, the Grassland Restoration Initiative, the Pollinator Habitat Initiative and other related initiatives. Sign-up for continuous CRP began on May 13 and will continue through Sept. 30, 2013.