Pest Management
Endangered Species Act: Label Changes Versus Practical Changes on the Farm
Bill Chism, Weed Science Society of America
Wednesday, 9:00 AM – 9:50 AM in Bishop ABC
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires all federal agencies to consider threatened and endangered species and their critical habitat in any action. Pesticide labels are starting to be released that assess those impacts. This presentation will discuss the label changes and impact on management practices. Recent surveys suggest most farms will see little impacts.
Panel Discussion about the Endangered Species Act
Bill Chism, Weed Science Society of America; Mike Kelly, Agronomy Claim Manager for Nationwide Agribusiness; Wesley Everman, assistant professor and extension weed specialist, Agronomy, Iowa State University; and Gretchen Paluch, chief, Pesticide Bureau, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Wednesday, 9:50 AM – 10:40 AM in Bishop ABC
Understanding how the Endangered Species Act (ESA) intersects with agriculture, water management, soil health, and conservation helps farmers make decisions that protect resources while maintaining productivity. Hear from a diverse panel of experts to get a better grasp of how new regulations will impact farmers and those working in agriculture.
Should I Spray or Should I Go (Fishing)?
Alison Robertson, professor and extension crop plant pathologist, Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology, Iowa State University
Wednesday, 1:50 PM – 2:40 PM in Bishop AB
Wednesday, 3:10 PM – 4:00 PM in Bishop AB
The 2025 growing season saw historic levels of southern rust on corn across the state. This presentation will review the southern rust-corn pathosystem, present data from statewide fungicide trials in addition to a simple cost analysis.
Aren’t You Glad Southern Rust Does Not Affect Soybean?
Daren Mueller, professor and extension crop plant pathologist, Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology, Iowa State University
Wednesday, 3:10 PM – 4:00 PM in Bishop C
Wednesday, 4:10 PM – 5:00 PM in Bishop C
While southern rust of corn captured the headlines, the 2025 growing season saw a resurgence of SDS (sudden death syndrome) and a few other soybean diseases. This talk will breakdown what happened and look at up-to-date management options.
IPM 101: The Pinnacle of Pest Management Quizzes
Meaghan Anderson, extension field agronomist, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach; Ashley Dean, extension specialist for field crop entomology, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach; and Chelsea Harbach, plant disease diagnostician, ISU Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic
Wednesday, 3:10 PM – 4:00 PM in Skinner B
Wednesday, 4:10 PM – 5:00 PM in Skinner B
Join this fun and fast-paced weed, insect, and disease quiz – if you dare! We’ll laugh, some will cry, and we’ll give a few prizes to those who prove themselves to be the most superior of IPM experts!
Corn Rootworm Management in Iowa: Available Tactics, Current Challenges and Future Prospects
Aaron Gassmann, Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology, Iowa State University
Thursday, 9:00 AM – 9:50 AM in Bishop C
Thursday, 10:20 AM – 11:10 AM in Bishop C
Western and northern corn rootworm remain among the most serious pests of corn in Iowa. Challenges with western corn rootworm have become more pronounced in recent years because of widespread resistance to Bt traits. This talk will cover the basic biology of rootworm, current management options available to farmers, and challenges posed by resistance. Newer prospects for management also will be discussed, including RNA interference and biocontrol nematodes. An emphasis will be placed on important considerations for developing a long-term management strategy.
Drone Fungicide Application, Recapping 2025
Doug Houser, digital ag extension specialist, Iowa State University
Thursday, 2:20 PM – 3:10 PM in Bishop C
Thursday, 3:20 PM – 4:10 PM in Bishop C
2025 was a mix of good, bad, and ugly for drone fungicide application. Drones continue to increase in use to delivery late season fungicide in corn. This presentation will recap problems identified with 2025 aerial applications, provide a summary of the science behind drone applications, and best practices to continue to maximize value and consistency of drone fungicide applications in the upcoming season.
Corn Leafhopper and Corn Stunt Disease: IPM for a Re-Emerging Threat
Ashleigh Faris, assistant professor and extension cropping systems entomologist, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University
Thursday, 2:20 PM – 3:10 PM in Skinner A
Thursday, 3:20 PM – 4:10 PM in Skinner A
The corn leafhopper is an invasive vector that originated in Mexico. For years, this pathosystem was considered of secondary importance in corn-producing regions in the Americas, but since 2015, it has re-emerged as a major threat to U.S. corn production. This session will address what we know about the corn leafhopper and corn stunt disease, what threat might it pose for the U.S., current pest management guidance, and what we still have to learn.
Ag Pest and Seed Treatment Continuing Instruction Course
Betsy Danielson, extension specialist, Pesticide Safety Education Program, Iowa State University
Thursday, 3:20 PM – 4:10 PM in Skinner C
The Ag Pest and Seed Treatment CIC program will provide continuing instruction credit for commercial pesticide applicators certified in categories 1A, 1B, 1C, and 4 for calendar year 2025. Topics covered include pesticide use and the environment and pesticide labels and comprehension. *To receive recertification, you must also attend one pest management session in each of the subcategories you are certified (1A, 1B, 1C, and/or 4) in addition to this session. Options include:
•Category 1A – Weeds: sessions 16 (Anderson) or 18 (Everman)
•Category 1B – Insects: sessions 16 (Anderson), 17 (Bailey), or 20 (Faris)
•Category 1C – Crop Diseases: sessions 14 (Robertson), 15 (Mueller), or 16 (Anderson)
•Category 4 – Seed Treatment: sessions 15 (Mueller) or 16 (Anderson)