Super El Niño and Fall Nitrogen Applications In Iowa

Most harvest activities have not yet begun in Iowa, but recent warmer than usual temperatures and predictions of a record strength super El Niño have many people thinking about fall fertilizer application timing. Past data shows a warmer than average fall could push field applications later into the year by as much as 15 days, which is one possible outcome. 

Those providing fertilizer application services can help customers protect their nitrogen investment regardless of fall weather by focusing on soil temperatures and using nitrification inhibitors. Soil temperatures should be at 50 degrees or less and trending cooler before applying anhydrous ammonia or manure. Iowa State's Iowa Environmental Mesonet posts real-time 4-inch soil temperatures and county-level estimates across the state. Pairing that with the 6- to 10-day forecast is the best way to know when fifty and falling has actually arrived in a field.

More than two-thirds of nitrogen applications in Iowa use a nitrification inhibitor. In conjunction with soil temperature, the practice adds even more stability to protect nitrogen investments.

More detailed discussion of fall fertilizer application is available in a recent post from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: Fifty and Falling: What the Super El Niño Means for Anhydrous Ammonia and Manure Timing this Fall

Gov. Reynolds Issues Harvest Proclamation

Governor Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation related to the weight limits and transportation of grain, fertilizer, and manure. The proclamation is effective immediately and continues through Oct. 10, 2026.

The proclamation allows vehicles transporting corn, soybeans, hay, straw, silage, stover, fertilizer (dry, liquid, and gas), and manure (dry and liquid) to be overweight (not exceeding 90,000 pounds gross weight) without a permit for the duration of this proclamation.

This proclamation applies to loads transported on all highways within Iowa (excluding the interstate system) and those which do not exceed a maximum of 90,000 pounds gross weight, do not exceed the maximum axle weight limit determined under the non-primary highway maximum gross weight table in Iowa Code § 321.463 (6) (a)-(b), by more than 12.5 percent, do not exceed the legal maximum axle weight limit of 20,000 pounds, and comply with posted limits on roads and bridges.

Full Proclamation Text

Seed Corn Cover Crop Signup Open

As seed corn harvest gets underway, growers have a unique opportunity to take advantage of the earlier harvest window to establish cover crops and achieve greater fall growth. The Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crop Initiative provides cost-share assistance for these farmers of $20 per acre for winter-hardy cover crops and $10 per acre for non-winter-hardy cover crops, with an additional $10 per acre available to first-time cover crop users.

The 2026 cost-share application period is still open and growers can apply as they finalize their fall cover crop plans. Applications should be submitted before cover crops are planted. There is no acreage cap.

For more information on how to apply, visit Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crops Initiative Website. Questions can be directed to Erica Lydolph, project coordinator, at covercrops@agribiz.org.

Mark Your Calendar - Showcase Exhibitor Registration Opens Oct. 13

Exhibitor registration for the Agribusiness Showcase & Conference opens on Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. The Showcase trade show has a limited number of exhibitor spaces and regularly sells out. Businesses planning to exhibit should register early for the best opportunity to claim a space and their preferred booth location. The exhibitor packet with full details is available on the Showcase registration site.

Early Registration for Sponsors

Companies reserving sponsorships have the opportunity to claim booth locations before exhibitor general registration opens on Oct. 10. A full list of sponsorships and details is available on the Showcase registration site.

For questions about sponsorship opportunities or to claim your sponsorship, contact agribizshowcase@agribiz.org or call 515.262.8323.

Farm Rescue Offers Assistance For Farmers & Ranchers In Crisis

In times of injury, illness, or natural disaster, Farm Rescue can step in to help farmers and ranchers tackle the most pressing work to ensure the success of the season – and those to come.

If you know of a farmer or farm family affected by these situations this harvest season, visit the Farm Rescue website for more information on the options available for help.

Out And About

Out of Focus Conference

Attended by: Julie Kenney, AAI CEO

GEAPS Harvest Meeting

Attended by: Heath DeYoung, AAI Membership Director

Propane Stakeholders Call

Attended by: Heath DeYoung

Sept. 21

AAI Showcase Committee Meeting

1:30 p.m. - AAI Main Office Board Room



ISU Grain Harvest Webinar Sept. 21

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering team will hold the 2026 Iowa Grain Harvest webinar Monday, Sept. 21 at noon.  

Planned for grain producers and anyone with an interest in this fall’s grain harvest in Iowa, the webinar will feature segments discussing grain quality concerns and potential issues, harvest losses and equipment set up and planning for successful grain storage. 

The webinar is available at no cost to participants, but online registration is required.

For more information, contact Tony Mensing at tmensing@iastate.edu or 515-290-0952. For registration inquiries, please contact Melissa McEnany at mmcenany@iastate.edu or 515-294-9075.