The drought conditions in west-central Iowa are causing major concerns for both crop and livestock producers. Compounding this situation, the derecho has caused significant damage to crops and infrastructure across the area. To help address those concerns, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host a Virtual Ag Coffee Meeting Sept. 9 at 9 a.m. This event will be a live webinar presentation with 11 in-person viewing locations across west central Iowa.

The meeting will be split into two segments with Mike Witt, field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach, discussing the agronomic impacts of the drought and derecho. Agronomic topics will include strategies and expectations for harvesting downed corn, managing fields that are unharvestable, and considerations for residue and fall cover crops, as well as grain quality and storage issues.

Tim Christensen, farm management specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, will discuss the financial impacts and strategies for fall 2020. Specific farm management topics will include crop insurance conversations, new United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency programs, considerations for handling drought and low yield crops with markets in addition to handling farm stress. The meeting will last approximately 90 minutes.

Register here: www.aep.iastate.edu/coffee. This registration will provide a personal link to the meeting.