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Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA. Crop conditions for corn and soybean fell for the second week in Nebraska, while winter wheat and oats experienced a slight uptick in condition since early June.

You can harvest seeding year alfalfa as early as 40 days after emergence, but if you can wait until 60 days, you'll benefit from increased root development, which helps avoid issues from soil compaction and surface soil dryness. Tips on planting forages into wheat and rye stubble, how to get the most from your first-year alfalfa and controlling yucca plants on rangeland in western and central Nebraska.

Monday, June 19, 2023

Water quantity and quality is critical to cattle health and performance.  Hot weather and drought conditions can impact both water quality and quantity for cattle.  

Spanish: 

Monday, June 19, 2023

Water quantity and quality is critical to cattle health and performance.  Hot weather and drought conditions can impact both water quality and quantity for cattle.  

Spanish: 

Nutrition Software Used: ESHA Food ProcessorNewsletter/Program:  Nutrition Education Program Archive Link: https://food.unl.edu/nutrition-education-program-nepContact Info: Jean Ann FischerTaxonomy Term Description: 

The Nutrition Education Program (NEP) delivers evidence-based nutrition education and obesity prevention interventions through a combination of education strategies coupled with multi-level community changes that occur within the environment to promote healthy eating and active lifestyles.

This material was funded by USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP and Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).

Ingredients:

• 2 cups garlic scapes (about 15-20 scapes), gently rubbed under cold running water
• 1 Tablespoons vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Wash hands with soap and water.
2. Cut garlic scapes in 2-inch long pieces.
3. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic scapes and cook for 4-6 minutes, while stirring occasionally until lightly toasted but still slightly crunchy. For softer scapes, continue cooking for 1-2 more minutes.
4. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
5. Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Category:  Side Dishes Yield: 4 servings Serving Size: 1/3 cupCalories: 60Total Fat: 3.5Saturated Fat: 0Potassium: 2Total Sugars: 0Iron: 0Vitamin D: 0Calcium: 2Protein: 1Fiber: 2Added Sugars: 0Total Carbohydrates: 5Sodium: 0Cholesterol: 0Photo by Marusa Jonas

The crop water use report is updated weekly. Visit PHREC AgLab for more information.

Nebraska Extension Educator Gary Stone shares his expectations for rising crop water use in the coming days.

Nutrition Software Used: ESHA Food ProcessorNewsletter/Program:  Nutrition Education Program Archive Link: https://food.unl.edu/nutrition-education-program-nepContact Info: Jean Ann FischerTaxonomy Term Description: 

The Nutrition Education Program (NEP) delivers evidence-based nutrition education and obesity prevention interventions through a combination of education strategies coupled with multi-level community changes that occur within the environment to promote healthy eating and active lifestyles.

This material was funded by USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP and Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).

Ingredients:

• 2 cups kale leaves, gently rubbed under cold running water, stems removed and chopped
• 1 cup fresh basil, gently rubbed under cold running water
• ½ cup garlic scapes (about 5 scapes), gently rubbed under cold running water, chopped
• ½ cup nuts (walnuts, pine nuts, almonds)
• ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese
• ⅓ cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Wash hands with soap and water.
2. Place the kale, basil, garlic scapes, nuts, and cheese in a food processor or blender. Pulse until combined. Scrape down the sides with a spatula or spoon.
3. While the food processor is running, slowly add half of the olive oil. Stop the food processor and scrape down sides again. Start the food processor and add remaining oil.
4. Add salt and pepper, if desired.
5. Use as a sauce for pasta dishes, add to sandwiches, or spread on crackers or toast.
6. Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to seven days, or freeze for up to three months.

Category:  Side Dishes Yield: 6 servings Serving Size: 3 TbspCalories: 200Total Fat: 20Saturated Fat: 3Potassium: 2Total Sugars: 0Iron: 6Vitamin D: 0Calcium: 6Protein: 3Fiber: 1Added Sugars: 0Total Carbohydrates: 3Sodium: 85Cholesterol: 5Photo by Marusa Jonas

Nebraska Extension Educator Amy Timmerman discusses identification and impact of alfalfa weevils and aphids, and explains why it's important to identify all the insects present in an alfalfa field before applying chemicals.

Nebraska Extension Weed Management Specialist Amit Jhala explains the concept of planting green and how it can help with early season weed management in soybean.

Figure 1. Stripe rust in a grower’s wheat field in Deuel County on June 12. (Photos by Stephen Wegulo) Stripe rust and leaf rust were observed in Nebraska fields this week this week; however, these diseases are not expected to cause significant yield reductions due to their late arrival in the wheat growing season.

By entering the total purchase amount, down payment amount, annual interest rate (APR), duration in years, and the starting year of the loan, users can quickly and easily review the entire repayment schedule of a new loan. The new web-based calculator allows users to estimate a loan repayment schedule for a new loan and compare different loan terms, such as changes in the amount of the down payment, annual interest rates, or loan length.

UNL's Carlos Urrea has been assisting with ongoing research efforts to develop dry bean resistance to the bruchid beetle — a storage pest of dry beans — for growers in southern Africa.

Though precipitation in June has led to numerous improvements in crop, pasture and drought conditions across the state, there's been no relief from severe dryness in parts of southeastern Nebraska — particularly in Polk and York counties.

Ag finance experts explore Gambler’s Fallacy and the Dunning-Kruger effect in this webinar to give producers a better understanding of how these cognitive biases can impact their decision-making. This new webinar focuses on current market forces and common tendencies of decision-makers as they consider selling this year’s corn crop to improve their skills and strategies in grain marketing.

I have been busy during the last couple of months doing advocacy for Extension. What does that mean? Well, it means I have traveled to Lincoln and Washington D.C. to speak with legislators about Nebraska Extension and our county commissioners. It really isn’t a hard job to ask for support for Nebraska Extension. With offices in almost every county and a long history of important research and programs delivered to the public, nearly everyone has heard of Extension and has had good experiences with them.

Ethanol plant in Madrid, Nebraska. (Photo courtesy Nebraska Ethanol Board) Researchers found from studying historical data that while marketing to ethanol plants can net producers better returns, the type (pre-harvest or spring) and size of benefit depend upon the size of the ethanol plant.

Last month, Nebraska experienced precipitation that led to atypical extremes for both sides of the state, with the western region breaking records for rainfall and eastern areas setting new records for driest weather in May.

In an effort to estimate the cost of weeds to agriculture and the overall economics of weed management, researchers recently analyzed numerous scientific studies on the water use of 34 weed species found across the world.

First-year results of a cooperative, multi-state research project aimed at helping growers achieve soybean yields with higher protein and oil content.

Approximately 729 youth from 42 states will convene in Grand Island from June 25-30 for the 2023 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships. The event will feature competitions across nine shooting sports disciplines, including compound archery, recurve archery, air rifle, air pistol, .22 rifle, .22 pistol, shotgun, muzzleloading, and hunting skills. 

Fourteen Nebraska 4-H members are set to compete at this year's event. The shotgun team is coached by Larry Kotrous and includes:

• Hunter Isabell, Lancaster County
• Blake Byerly, Knox County
• Caden Ost, York County
• Jacob Smith, Knox County

The .22 rifle team, coached by Jennifer Thomsen, includes:

• Aubrie Birkel, Custer County
• Sara Thomsen, Pierce County
• Matthew Koehlmoos, Holt County
• Riata Remund, Custer County

The compound archery team is coached by Matt Carmin and includes:

• Ashton Koch, Pierce County
• Dylan Naslund, Cherry County
• Riley Peterson, Lancaster County

The hunting skills team, coached by Ross Rote, includes:

• Korryn Beberniss, Garden County
• Kyle Rote, Garden County
• Parker Walahoski, Dawson County

The 4-H shooting sports program focuses on the total development of its members. The activities are utilized as a vehicle for human growth and development. With support from caring adult leaders, youth develop life skills, self-worth, and conservation ethics in addition to shooting sports skills and knowledge, such as marksmanship, the safe and responsible use of firearms, and the principles of hunting and archery.

The 2023 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships is coordinated and hosted by Nebraska 4-H and the National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee. For more information, visit 4h.unl.edu/shooting-sports/national.