Minnesota Crop News

By Liz Stahl, Extension Educator - Crops, Phyllis Bongard, Educational Content Development & Communications Specialist, and Anna Cates, Extension Specialist in Soil Health Participants collecting biomass in small research plots during May 2025 meeting. Register now to reserve your spot with the University of Minnesota Cover Crop Academy! This innovative program is a year-long, hybrid course offered at three statewide locations during 2026-2027: Westport, Waseca, and Lamberton. If you advise farmers as a crop consultant, educator, or agronomist, or work for Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), or other agencies, this program is for you. Participants from the 2024-25 session claimed increased confidence around cover crop agronomics, enjoyed watching the field plots develop and planned to make use of their new connections with other advisors in their area. This unique opportunity takes a deep dive into cover crop challenges a...

Tana Haugen-Brown, UMN Pesticide Safety and Environmental Education Extension educator and Sally Raymond, UMN Pesticide Safety and Environmental Education Extension educator The University of Minnesota Extension’s Pesticide Safety and Environmental Education (PSEE) program has developed three new training videos designed to demonstrate important skills for pesticide applicators. The videos focus on demonstrating core skills essential for both new and experienced pesticide applicators to use pesticides safely and effectively. What the videos cover Each video in the Apply It Right series targets a critical step in the pesticide application process: Mix It Right: Product Measurement and Tank Mixing Learn how to properly measure and mix pesticides, follow label directions, and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce risk during one of the most sensitive stages of application. Spray It Right: Calibrate Before Applying This video walks through sprayer calibration, sh...

Debalin Sarangi, Extension Weed Scientist, Navjot Singh, Weed Science Graduate Student, Lisa Behnken, Research Specialist and Retired Crops Extension Educator, Ryan Miller, Crops Extension Educator, and Tom Peters, Extension Weed Scientist This article documents the first confirmed case of glufosinate-resistant waterhemp in Minnesota, and likely the second case in the United States, following the initial report from Illinois in early 2026. Glufosinate is a non-selective, contact herbicide (site-of-action Group 10) used primarily in glufosinate-resistant crops. Glufosinate is the active ingredient in products, including Liberty® 280 SL, Liberty® ULTRA, Surmise®, Cheetah® Pro, and Interline®. Glufosinate inhibits glutamine synthetase (GS), a vital enzyme that helps combine glutamate and ammonia to form glutamine, and acts as a key regulator of nitrogen metabolism. Inhibition of GS in sensitive plants causes an excess accumulation of ammonia in plants, and as a result, sev...

By Angie Peltier, University of Minnesota Extension crops educator, Joe Ikley, NDSU Extension weed specialist, and Greg Dahl, director of adjuvant education, CPDA March 18, 2026’s Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops session discussed how spray water quality impacts herbicide efficacy. This webinar series runs through the end of March and registrations are still being accepted: https://extension.umn.edu/courses-and-events/strategic-farming. To watch this episode visit: http://z.umn.edu/StrategicFarmingRecordings . Why do we need adjuvants? Weed control can be impacted by environmental conditions at the time of application, with temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and wind all capable of impacting efficacy. Similarly, the quality of the water used for spraying herbicides such as water temperature, pH, water hardness, and sediment load can impact herbicide efficacy. Specific adjuvants have been developed to overcome these water quality issues. Adjuvants can also combat foaming, reduc...

In this episode, Dave and Seth are diving deep into the DNA of the plants that feed us, and we are thrilled to sit down with Dr. Peter Morrell, a Professor of Computational Biology and Plant Genetics right here at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Morrell has had a fascinating journey to the U of M. He grew up in southern Oklahoma, earned his Ph.D. back in 1997, and spent time researching genetics in the corporate world at Monsanto in St. Louis before officially joining the Minnesota faculty in 2009. Today, he is essentially a master codebreaker for plant DNA. As an evolutionary geneticist, Dr. Morrell uses big data and computer science to figure out exactly how wild plants evolved into the reliable crops we rely on today—specifically focusing on crops like barley, soybeans, and common beans. His lab looks at the genetic fingerprints left behind by breeders and farmers to understand how plants mix, match, and mutate their DNA to survive. In fact, his work recently made waves in the jour...

By Liz Stahl, Extension Educator – Crops, Rodrigo Werle, University of Wisconsin Extension Cropping Systems Weed Scientist, and Debalin Sarangi, University of Minnesota Weed Scientist Waterhemp in soybean. Photo: Liz Stahl Waterhemp is widely considered the number one most troublesome weed across the North Central Region of the US, and experiences in MN and WI are no exception. Surveys conducted in Wisconsin show there has been rapid evolution of herbicide resistance in waterhemp to 2,4-D, dicamba, and atrazine. In screenings of populations in 2018, these herbicides could kill about 89 to 92 out of every 100 waterhemp plants. In contrast, follow-up testing of populations collected in the fall of 2023 revealed that about half of the waterhemp could survive 2,4-D and 80% survived atrazine. Farmers are seeing reductions in control with Enlist One, the Group 14 herbicide fomesafen (a.i. in Flexstar), and the Group 27 herbicide mesotrione (a.i. in Callisto). Surveys conducted in MN show...

Properly designed tile drainage systems are long-term investments that can significantly enhance field performance and water table management. This workshop brings together leading drainage experts to share science-based knowledge and practical insights that will help participants make well-informed drainage management decisions. The workshop is intended for farmers, landowners, crop consultants, local government staff, drainage contractors, and ag / conservation professionals interested in better understanding drainage system design, water management strategies, and improving field performance while avoiding costly mistakes.    This one-day event will focus on how subsurface (tile) drainage works, the basics of drainage design, and the financial and technical assistance for water storage, conservation and precision drainage practices. Participants will be introduced to tools to optimize drainage depth and spacing and the benefits of contour drainage patterns. Sessions will p...

Today on the Nutrient Management Podcast we discuss phosphorus with experts from Minnesota and across the Midwest. Why are Midwest phosphorus guidelines different from state to state? Are Minnesota's current P guidelines satisfactory - or do states' P guidelines need revision? Would a P-rate calculator that incorporates economics be a useful tool, similar to nitrogen's MRTN calculator? What 'Phosphorus & the 4R's' tips and suggestions do our Minnesota, Ohio, Illinois and South Dakota panelists recommend for area farmers? Nitrates and water quality issues continue to be top-of-mind -  would switching P sources be beneficial? What new and ongoing phosphorus-related research projects are panelists watching? All this and much more on today's show. Read the full transcript Guests: Daniel Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul) John Jones, soil fertility, plant nutrition, and nutrient management research, University of Illinois Urbana-Ch...

Join us for a regional webinar  March 19, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.   to get the latest updates on soybean gall midge (SGM). New research results from ongoing field and laboratory studies will feature several topics:  Updated information on SGM distribution and regional monitoring efforts Impacts on soybean production and yield loss under field conditions Biology and ecology updates, including cold tolerance and overwintering survival New insights into adult biology, including emergence timing and behavior Results from commercial soybean variety testing under SGM pressure Updates on biological control efforts Evaluation of new and emerging cultural control strategies, along with other management tools Certified Crop Advisors CEUs have been approved for those that attend the live event.  Registration Registration is required. However, thanks to our generous sponsors, there is no fee to watch live or on-demand sessions. Once you register for the Midwest Soybean Gall Midge...

By: Bailey Tangen, Extension educator, Etienne Sutton, University of Missouri, and Kevin Kuehner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture How much biomass are your cover crops producing, and what does that mean for nutrient retention and soil health? Through the Great Lakes Cover Crop Project, Minnesota farmers are helping to answer that question using a simple protocol based on photos and height measurements. Results will help build practical, local data to guide better cover crop management and nutrient decisions. In this blog post, explore last year’s data from 133 Minnesota fields and how you can participate in 2026. The project and new method for farmers As part of the Great Lakes Cover Crop Project , farmers participate as community scientists by collecting cover crop measurements in their fields. Measuring cover crop growth, or biomass, has historically involved clipping plants within a defined area (e.g., using a quadrat) and then drying and weighing them, which can be time consumi...

By Angie Peltier and Ryan Miller, UMN Extension educators, and Dean Malvick, UMN Extension corn and soybean plant pathologist Curvularia leaf spot in corn. Photo: Dean Malvick March 4, 2026’s Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops session discussed whether foliar corn diseases are likely to threaten Minnesota yields in 2026. This webinar series runs through March and registrations are still being accepted: https://z.umn.edu/SF2026 To watch this episode visit:  https://z.umn.edu/SF2026  http://z.umn.edu/StrategicFarmingRecordings . There is a long list of leaf diseases that can negatively impact a corn crop’s yield potential. The diseases that have been of most recent concern in Minnesota include tar spot, southern rust, Northern corn leaf blight and Goss’s wilt and blight, the diseases that were of focus during this session. Tar spot Three things must be present for disease to occur, a virulent strain of a pathogen, a disease-susceptible hybrid and environmental conditions that ...

Today on the Advancing Nitrogen Smart podcast we speak in-depth about the recently-revised Minnesota Nutrient Reduction Strategy with Matt Drewitz from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. What are the goals of the MN Nutrient Reduction Strategy, and how are they being addressed specifically? Are we on track to meet our objectives? How have environmental changes over the years affected our progress? How have wastewater treatment plants contributed to the effort, and what have we learned from them? What kinds of other practices can be leveraged to meet the goals of the NRS, and how should farmers approach these ideas? Who's a farmer's point of contact with questions about adopting these practices? All of this on today's episode, recorded on the road from the recently held Nutrient Management Conference in Mankato, MN. Read the full transcript Guests: Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato) Matt Drewitz Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, (St. Paul) Additio...

This week, we are thrilled to feature Agronomist Matt Leavitt. Matt’s work focuses on integrating new crops that provide broad ecosystem services to our landscapes while helping to diversify and de-risk the economic portfolios of Minnesota crop producers. Originally from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Matt completed his graduate work right here in the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics with Craig Sheaffer and Don Wyse. Currently, Matt serves as the Perennial Grains and Winter Annuals Agronomy Specialist for the Department and the Forever Green Initiative (FGI). In this episode, Matt dives into the most established crops in the FGI portfolio, including Kernza, camelina, winter barley, and hybrid winter rye. He shares his experience working one-on-one with farmers to identify alternative crop species that fit their unique operations, maximizing ecological and economic benefits while reducing overall risk. Beyond the field, Matt also writes extension publications for producers and lecture...