Agronomically, there were few surprises in 2002. Forage and row-crop land responded predictably to our management and environmental conditions.

Last winter was mild and dry, a trend that has persisted over the past several years. Over most of our region, we had a dry April, excessively wet May and dry conditions from mid-June through mid-August.

The mild winter should have produced large populations of many insect species. However, 2002 was not an intense insect pressure year. The main reasons for this were the large rainfall events we had throughout May, which slowed insect activity. Once again, the seasonal environment proved that we should not base crop insect management solely upon "expected" conditions. White grubs, wireworms and stinkbugs were insects present in larger than normal numbers in 2002. Consider monitoring these insects next year.

Weed control was very good across most locations and crops in 2002. We had some grass and broadleaf escapes in early planted corn that received preplant residual herbicides. The dry summer prevented germination of many weeds. Rains in August led to late season flushes of those weeds, especially in soybeans. Fortunately, these flushes had little influence on soybean yield.

We are continuing to see weed species shifts in response to tillage practices, herbicide application timing and herbicide-resistant crop technologies. Small-seeded and perennial weed populations continue to rise. Herbicide tolerance across many weed species, including sunflower, waterhemp, marestail and cocklebur, continues to be reported.

Once again, a primary cause of reduced pasture production was poor weed and brush control. The timing of pasture herbicides, especially those targeted toward brush species, is extremely weed-species specific.

Monitor the presence, intensity and location of weed problems. If you have questions about weed control issues, visit with an MFA agronomist or certified crop adviser.

The warm April allowed much corn and soybean acreage to be planted very early, a trend we have seen across the past several years. The spring rains caused some stand reduction in corn and soybeans and the loss of some spring and fall preplant-applied nitrogen in corn.

Many cornfields ran out of nitrogen around tasseling. The exception was where producers anticipated this nitrogen loss and applied 40 to 80 pounds of nitrogen per acre in June. Many producers were happy with the decision to apply mid-season nitrogen, with reports of 20 to 40 bushel per acre yield increases.

Because of its extremely complex nature in soils, nitrogen is agronomically difficult and time consuming to measure, interpret and manage during the growing season. The best agronomic and environmental way to manage nitrogen for many crops, including winter wheat, corn and tall fescue, is to use a planned two-pass nitrogen application program. For corn, this would be to apply one-third of the total nitrogen preplant and the remaining two-thirds sidedressed at the 4- to 7-leaf growth stage. Before considering using a two-pass nitrogen management program, make sure that time and equipment are available.

The wet spring contributed the largest hay crop that I can remember. Producers who harvested in a timely fashion (before heading) received an abundant, fair to high quality hay crop. However, the dry summer reduced grazing potential and forced many producers into feeding hay early. Also, the amount of stockpiled fescue may be low across many areas.

Several locations either seeded or sprigged (planting of vegetative cuttings) bermudagrass this year for the first time. Because of its high quality, summer growth and high production potential, bermudagrass is a species worth looking at, especially in southern regions of the Midwest. Hopefully, some of the newer varieties and hybrids will have better cold tolerance and winter survivability than did their predecessors. Before planting bermudagrass, thoroughly research its requirements, strengths and weaknesses and adaptability for your region.

The farm bill dominated agronomic discussions throughout 2002. Agronomically, this farm bill is considerably more conservation oriented than any previous version. Press releases and rumors abound concerning farm bill conservation programs. My advice to anyone interested in agronomy/land use components of the farm bill is to schedule a visit with your local NRCS.

Another key component to the farm bill is that private sector professional technical service providers (Pro Techs) will be asked to help deliver and manage certain components of federal conservation programs. At what level we in the private sector will assist in delivering these programs remains to be seen. I believe there will be continued intertwining of public and private sector land management activity over the next few years. From a landowner's perspective, this partnering should provide more options and increase the potential for successful land resource management.