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Center for Agricultural Profitability webinars are free to attend and recorded for viewing at any time. For a list of upcoming webinars, visit the CAP website. This webinar provides benchmarking data for producers regarding Nebraska farm and ranch incomes, ratios and family living data.

Jordyn Bader discusses her work with the ag-tech startup Marble Technologies during the Heuermann Lecture on May 29. She was part of a panel of ag-tech entrepreneurs that also included (from left) Shane Forney of Sentinel Fertigation; Chad Johnson of Grain Weevil; Jacob Hansen of ALA Engineering; and Jessica Korinek of Nave Analytics. (Photo by Cara Pesek, IANR Media) The lecture highlighted Nebraska’s strengths in ag tech, including diverse startups, increased venture capital, and large-scale strategic investments enabling research innovations.

Jay Parsons was selected in April as the new director of the Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, following the retirement of Larry Van Tassell, who served as the center’s director since its inception in July 2021. Parsons has been with the Center for Agricultural Profitability since 2014, serving as an associate professor and extension program area leader.

With a third successful prescribed burn completed at Barta Brothers Ranch on April 21, researchers are seeing what fire can and cannot do about invasive redcedars. Throughout the project, researchers have observed increased vigor in the grasses, increased gains in cattle, differences in grassland bird communities and minimal changes in wind erosion across burned areas.

This new webinar features insights on building effective communication skills from Lisa Kaslon, professional development coordinator with Nebraska Extension. Learn how to express yourself clearly, listen actively, and navigate diverse communication styles to find more personal and professional success.

Thursday, June 13, 2024

In late May and June we frequently see both native and non-native forbs begin to flower in range and pasture. This is a good time of the year to be on the alert and look out for these “pretty flowers” and for other plants that you may not recognize. Seeing something you haven’t seen before?  Go check it out. Those “pretty flowers” or plants you don’t recognize may be an invasive species.  Early detection and rapid response is critical to helping to keep noxious weeks at bay.

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Thursday, June 6, 2024 Research studies by Kansas State University have shown that late summer and fall fires provided significant reductions of Sericea lespedeza and old-world bluestems which are both invasive species impacting rangeland across Kansas.Spanish: 

Pivots are damaged in Nebraska nearly every year, causing high dollar losses, a great deal of extra work, and most of the time, crop loss for delayed irrigation. (Photo by Steve Melvin) Through this new survey, producers have the opportunity to assist Nebraska Extension with identifying factors that may contribute to increasing or decreasing storm damage to center pivots.

The university developed this new wheat variety through a group effort headed by Stephen Wegulo, professor of plant pathology and plant pathologist for Nebraska Extension, and Katherine Frels, Nebraska’s small grains breeder and an assistant professor of agronomy and horticulture. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing) The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is releasing a new wheat variety, NE Prism CLP, that stands out for its resistance to fungal disease, including fusarium head blight.

Historical crop production reports for Nebraska are available at USDA. Nebraska's winter wheat crop is up 15% in 2024.

Figure 1. Wheat stem sawfly adult (left) and the two species of Bracon parasitoids (middle and right) that are commonly found parasitizing wheat stem sawfly larvae in Nebraska. (Photo by Jeff Bradshaw) In addition to confirming the presence of wheat stem sawfly in new Nebraska counties this year, Nebraska Extension anticipates fairly high pressure from the crop pest this growing season.

Starting to irrigate too soon can lead to wasting water, poor soil environment, increasing costs, and leaching nitrogen which can result in lower yields. This article will help you learn how soil, water and plants all work together to grow your crop and will be a good review as the irrigation season approaches.

The city of Beatrice is no stranger to street art. In the last few years, a number of murals have been painted on walls and in alleyways throughout town, all designed by local artists. The production of the most recent mural, however, has been a little different. A collaboration between Nebraska Extension, students at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, local business owners, and Beatrice youth, the mural links together the past and present of Nebraska.

The Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Native American Coalition, both housed at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, have launched a new website providing business development aid for Indigenous entrepreneurs. The Turtle Island Trade Coalition website provides support and resources for Native food producers interested in expanding their customer base and the reach of their business, and free membership applications are currently open.

Despite their resiliency, perennial forages can experience significant yield loss from hailstorms. Damage assessment and timing are key to the recovery process for pastures and hay fields. Extension recommendations on reducing the risk of toxic plant consumption by grazing animals, hail damage recovery for pasture and hay fields, and summer alfalfa irrigation following a wet spring.

Historical farm labor data for Nebraska is available at USDA. The number of farm workers in Nebraska has remained unchanged since 2023.

Attendees of the 2023 Agronomy Youth Field Day participate in an activity on the NCTA campus. The field day is free for youth ages 9-18 and parents/adults are welcome to attend. (Nebraska Extension photo) Free to attend, this field day will teach Nebraska youth more about how agriculture is changing with precision technology.

To receive 2024 weekly crop water use reports via text message, subscribe on the PHREC AgLab site.

Nebraska Extension Educator Gary Stone shares an update on Panhandle crop planting and growth with this week's crop water report.

Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA. (CropWatch file photo) With just about 20% of sorghum acreage remaining, planting season is coming to a close and Nebraska producers will soon begin winter wheat harvest.