This week the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service released its county level statistics on cash rental rates for irrigated and non-irrigated cropland and pastureland. Available in table and map form (Figures 1-3), the Nebraska rates are based on a random sample of nearly 16,000 producers who were surveyed from March through June.
Local Interest
Ongoing drought conditions are supporting hay and forage prices. While eastern parts of Nebraska had a good first cutting of hay, subsequent cuttings have been less. Areas further west haven't fared so well. Sandhills meadows will likely average less production than last year and yields will be below long term averages. Annual forages harvested for hay will be down as well due to lack of moisture in June and July.
Having a written agreement can help reduce miscommunication and frustration down the road.
• It ensures a better understanding by both parties.
• It serves as a reminder of the terms originally agreed upon.
• It increases the likelihood that the relationship will continue in future years.
When it comes to rental agreements for grazing corn residue, a number of questions need to be asked and answered up front to avoid disagreements later.
1. What is the latest start date that residue will be available for grazing?
Did weeds take over your alfalfa this summer? Well, join the crowd. So, why were the weeds so vigorous and what might happen to your alfalfa?
Weeds seemed to show up everywhere in alfalfa fields during August. And I'm not exactly sure why. One thing is for sure, though. The weeds were worst in older fields, thinner stands, and in areas where rainfall was higher than normal.
Looks like mayflies are emerging from area lakes and streams. The mayfly is an interesting insect. The adults, which is what you are seeing, do not feed and only live for a few hours or days, just long enough to mate and the females to lay eggs back into the water. The emergence from the water is fairly well synchronized and only lasts a few days, when literally millions emerge nearly at once. They do not have functional mouthparts and do not bite. Most of its life is spent as a nymph in the water. Lewis and Clark Lake has big hatches every year but some are bigger than others.
Will you chop corn silage this year? Do it right and time your harvest correctly.
High-quality corn silage often is an economical substitute for some of the grain in finishing and in dairy rations. And corn silage can be an important winter feed for cow-calf producers. All too often, though, we fail to harvest silage to get its best feed value.
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