Feed aggregator

Extension Crop and Pest Reports (Aug. 24-28)

Latest Updates from cropwatch.unl.edu - Thu, 08/27/2020 - 15:21
Extension educators report on what they are seeing in the fields this week in the panhandle, Platte, Boone, Nance, Phelps, Harlan, Furnas, Gosper, Adams, Kearney and Webster counties.

Webinar - Cover Crops in Corn Systems: Opportunities for Dual Use - Set for Sept. 15th

Latest Updates from cropwatch.unl.edu - Thu, 08/27/2020 - 15:10
Can planting cover crops in corn systems provide the dual benefits of improving soil health and be an economical source of forage? This webinar will cover lessons learned on incorporating cover crops after corn silage, high moisture corn, and dry corn harvest in Nebraska. The session will consist of short presentations with ample time for questions and discussion.

How Much Nitrogen Does My Cover Crop Take Up and When Do I Get It Back?

Latest Updates from cropwatch.unl.edu - Thu, 08/27/2020 - 14:39
Rye in continuous corn April 19, 2018 at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Education Center near Mead. With growing interest in cover crops, it is important to understand how cover crops might impact soil fertility for the following cash crop. Nitrogen (N) provided by cover crop biomass may be used in the short-term by the following crop, and in the long-term through improving soil N content and reducing fertilizer input costs.

Drought and Pasture Lease Considerations

Latest Updates from beef.unl.edu - Thu, 08/27/2020 - 14:28
Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Few words cause as much concern for those with pasture or rangeland as drought.  In 2012 when the latest widespread drought covered most of the state, some of the most difficult conversations were occurring between landowners with pasture and their tenants.   

Spanish: 

Nebraska Extension to Host BeefWatch Webinar Series

Latest Updates from beef.unl.edu - Thu, 08/27/2020 - 13:41
Tuesday, September 1, 2020

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension will host the 2020 BeefWatch Webinar Series. The webinars will take place weekly beginning on Tuesday, October 6.

The BeefWatch Webinar series is designed to highlight management strategies in grazing, nutrition, reproduction, and economics to increase cow/calf and stocker production efficiency and profitability. Each session will feature industry experts and plenty of opportunity to interact to get your questions answered. 

Spanish: 

Cover Crops in Corn Systems: Opportunities for Dual Use Webinar Scheduled for September 15th

Latest Updates from beef.unl.edu - Thu, 08/27/2020 - 13:20
Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Can planting cover crops in corn systems provide the dual benefits of improving soil health and be an economical source of forage? This webinar will cover lessons learned on incorporating cover crops after corn silage, high moisture corn, and dry corn harvest in Nebraska. The session will consist of short presentations with ample time for questions and discussion.

The webinar will be held via Zoom on September 15th at 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm (central time).

Spanish: 

2020 Corn Yield Forecasts as of August 25

Latest Updates from cropwatch.unl.edu - Thu, 08/27/2020 - 11:33
This article summarizes the simulated crop stages and yield forecasts performed on August 25 for 40 locations across the US Corn Belt using the UNL Hybrid-Maize crop model.

Husker Harvest Days Goes Virtual, Nebraska Extension Providing Multiple Presentations

Latest Updates from cropwatch.unl.edu - Thu, 08/27/2020 - 11:19
While Husker Harvest Days won’t be in person this year, Nebraska Extension is still planning a variety of presentations for this year’s virtual experience. Nebraskans are quite creative in developing successful endeavors, particularly in times of need. With a struggling farm economy and the unknowns of the spread of viral infections, there is special emphasis on cultivating new opportunities to improve the lives of Nebraskans.

Considerations for Leasing Land for Solar Development

Latest Updates from cropwatch.unl.edu - Wed, 08/26/2020 - 10:55
The state’s largest solar farm – located just west of Lincoln off Interstate 80 – features 15,333 solar panels on 30 acres. Developed by the Lincoln Electric System and completed in June 2016, it generates approximately 5 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 900 typical homes in Lincoln. (Photo by John Hay) Renewable energy has increased significantly in recent years and the number of wind farms and the size of wind turbines are a visual reminder of renewable development. Due to higher development cost, solar electric systems, also called solar photovoltaic (PV), have lagged in commercial electric development.

Scheduling the Last Irrigation of the Season

Latest Updates from cropwatch.unl.edu - Wed, 08/26/2020 - 10:29
After a year of record flooding over much of the state, we are now in various stages of drought. With limited rainfall over most of the state this year and fairly extended hot, dry periods, many irrigators may be wondering when is the irrigation season going to end?

Overgrazing Pastures

Latest Updates from beef.unl.edu - Mon, 08/24/2020 - 13:10
Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Fully utilizing a pasture doesn’t mean it should look like a golf course. If good grass is seen in the pasture when moving to another pasture, that is usually a good thing; that’s proper management. Even during drought or drier years, management can be done well. Trying to push pasture during drought years is especially hard on pasture and can have detrimental long-term effects. Many of our pastures are very resilient and have been through very tough times. Repeat or severe abuse will take over that resiliency.

Spanish: 

What Are the Barriers and Benefits of Manure Use in Cropping Systems? (part 1 of 2)

Latest Updates from beef.unl.edu - Fri, 08/21/2020 - 13:47
Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Animal manures can be a “valuable asset” or a “pain in the assets”.  The right amounts in the right location can be very beneficial to Nebraska’s crop, soil, and water resources.  Too much manure or manure in the wrong place is an environmental concern. Our ability to place manure where its benefits are maximized and to manage manure so that its challenges are minimal is important to agriculture’s sustainability.

Spanish: 

Don’t risk abortions this winter: Double check your cow herd vitamin A supplementation plans

Latest Updates from beef.unl.edu - Fri, 08/21/2020 - 11:18
Tuesday, September 1, 2020 Pasture mature and brown early due to drought?Spanish: 

Quicken Tags for Your Farm or Ranch

Latest Updates from cropwatch.unl.edu - Fri, 08/21/2020 - 08:54
Tags can help you glean information from your Quicken file without complicating your category list. This article discusses how to get started with tags, and how to use them to enhance your financial records.

National Survey Shows a Wide Range of Cover Crop Benefits as Acreage Continues to Expand

Latest Updates from cropwatch.unl.edu - Thu, 08/20/2020 - 16:24
The most recent survey included perspectives from 1,172 farmers representing every state and included a detailed exploration of “planting green” as well as crop insurance use among cover croppers.