Feed aggregator

Record-breaking heat is the weather woe for Nebraska — temperatures will surge into the 100s statewide, likely triggering excessive heat warnings for many areas.

By adding hogs to his corn and soybean operation, Nebraska farmer Walter Traudt realized benefits beyond additional revenue for the farm by using manure to increase soil health and crop yields. For one Nebraska corn and soybean producer, an attempt at expanding operations revolutionized his whole approach to farming. Read more about his experience here.

Two Nebraska Department of Agriculture programs, NextGen and Negotiations, are valuable resources for Nebraska producers seeking help as beginning farmers and ranchers, and to solve various operational setbacks, such as ag loan and credit issues, fence repairs, and more. A new webinar shares details on NDA's beginning farmer tax credit and the farm mediation programs.

Key findings from the study indicate that while current adoption rates are relatively low — only 14% of cattle operations with cropland used cover crops as of 2017 — there are notable variations depending on the type of operation. (IANR News photo) The research team's work underscores the potential for significant expansion in the use of cover crops, particularly in areas where integration with livestock is feasible.

Amit Jhala discusses a project titled "Critical Time of Cereal Rye Termination for Better Palmer Amaranth Suppression After Corn Planting." Nebraska producers learned about the latest extension research at this year's Weed Management Field Day, including pre-emergence herbicides for Palmer amaranth in soybean, herbicides for herbicide-resistant weeds in corn, volunteer corn in Enlist corn and more.

The focus of this workshop will be on the practical aspects of managing data and performing mixed model analyses, and participants are encouraged to bring their own datasets to explore options.

This workshop is designed for non-hybrid breeders to become acquainted with a hybrid breeding program, including basic terminology and an overview of the process for developing a genetically improved hybrid cultivar for commercialization.

Nitrates and blue-green algae are two main concerns of water quality for livestock in Nebraska, and while not as common, salinity can also be an issue. Extension educators review common issues for producers to bear in mind as livestock graze throughout the summer, including prussic acid, horn flies and face flies, and water contamination.

The Yield Forecasting Center (YFC) will provide real-time information on corn phenology and forecasts of corn yield potential to aid growers and ag industry stakeholders in making management, logistics and marketing decisions through the 2024 season.

In a new study, UNL researchers are using unconventional treatments on soybean insects and diseases to investigate the relationships between certain pests and how their interactions impact crop yield.

Figure 1. Adult soybean stem borer, Dectes texanus texanus (left) and larval tunneling in soybean petioles (right) at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center in June 2024. A difficult insect to manage, soybean stem borer has expanded its reach in Nebraska. This extension article reviews considerations for scouting and control options, plus resources for producers to learn more on this crop pest.

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

The 2024 Nebraska Grazing Conference will be Aug. 6 and 7 at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney, Nebraska.  This year’s conference features speakers highlighting soil health and grasslands as well as a session on public wildlife and private rangelands.

Spanish: 

The North Platte River runs through Fremont Canyon on its way to the Fremont Power Plant and Alcova Reservoir. (Photo by Chabella Guzman) Extension educators share a brief irrigation update as an oncoming heat wave is expected to increase stress on Nebraska crops.

Though the farm finance and ag law clinics are offered monthly at sites across Nebraska, remote sessions are another option — call the number below to arrange a one-on-one meeting via phone or virtual platform. There are three dates in late July for free legal and financial clinics, sponsored by Legal Aid of Nebraska.

Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA. Despite the onset of summer heat, the condition of most Nebraska crops in 2024 continues to be well above last year's progress. Harvest for winter wheat and oats is also advancing above average pace.

Monday, July 8, 2024

Corn harvested after the kernel reaches maturation as earlage, snaplage or high-moisture corn are alternatives to harvesting dry corn for use as cattle feed. 

Spanish: 

Monday, July 8, 2024

As the middle of the grazing season approaches now is a good time to look at weather conditions over the past couple of months and the forecasts for the rest of the grazing season to gain some insight into the forage supply for the rest of the year. At this point most native cool-season range grasses have reached their peak standing forage and won’t put on more growth unless conditions are favorable this fall. Most warm-season grasses are in the middle of their rapid growth stage currently. Current moisture conditions as well as continued precipitation are important for warm-season growth.

Spanish: