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Two recent grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will support Husker-led sustainability projects, including research into nutrient management for sugar beet production. (Photo by Chabella Guzman, Nebraska Extension) UNL's research on sustainable nitrogen management for sugar beet production will directly involve 50 growers in Nebraska and Colorado, with a focus on optimizing sugar yield while promoting environmental sustainability.

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. Four clinics in September will provide confidential, one-on-one advice for farmers and ranchers on legal and financial issues, including estate planning and farm loans.

As verbal leases are still common amongst American farmers, it’s important for all parties to give careful attention to legal timelines when entering an agreement to avoid disputes. (CAP photo) It's important to understand your rights when entering or terminating a verbal farm lease. This article provides best practices for termination to mitigate risks and foster smoother transitions.

Wednesday, August 21, 2024 Ranchers and land managers can learn about forage production, stocking rates, managing risk, drought insurance and more in an interactive, online learning experience provided by Nebraska Extension.Spanish: 

Early detection of fall armyworm caterpillars is crucial, as they can cause significant crop damage once they reach ¾-inch in size. (CropWatch file photo) Recommendations on scouting and treatment thresholds for fall armyworm, control of late summer pasture weeds, and best practices for corn silage harvest and storage.

A ladybug on the head of a wheat plant in June. (Photo by Chabella Guzman) Nebraska Extension educators review the status of crops and water use in western Nebraska and the Panhandle, plus insights on winter wheat strategies as planting season approaches.

Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA. Crop conditions remain steady, and Nebraska corn and soybean are entering the final stages of maturity.

Friday, August 16, 2024 Does it seem too early to start planning for taxes? Even though calves await weaning, and crops still stand in the fields, September and October are excellent times to meet with your tax accountant and start looking ahead for tax purposes.Spanish: 

Friday, August 16, 2024

There are two different species of hemlocks in Nebraska that can be toxic to both livestock and people. Here is some information that is important for you to consider as you plan grazing or haying in areas with either of these two species of hemlock.

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Checking on results from soil probes in the field are Homnath Ghimire, intern ( left), Dr. Mohamed Khalil, Nebraska Extension faculty, and graduate student Sujani De Silva. (Photo by Chabella Guzman) Attendance is free for the tours, which will feature presentations by UNL researchers on alternative crop production, nutrient management for sugarbeets and dry beans, university irrigation studies and more.

Of all farm and ranch expenditures for Nebraska in 2023, the livestock expense category was the leading expenditure at $168,667 per operation — 5.72 times the national average. Livestock expenses increased 11% in 2023 and accounted for 27% of Nebraska's total production expenditures.

Pastures are only one of the feed sources producers use for livestock. (Photo by Chabella Guzman) Results of a UNL study on planting a sorghum-sudangrass hybrid, oats and foxtail millet after wheat harvest to produce quality fall forage in western Nebraska, where low rainfall and cool-season pasture decline is an obstacle for producers.

Historical ag land values for Nebraska are available at USDA. Nebraska's farm real estate value is up $260 per acre (7%) from last year.

Attendees of this workshop will have the chance to get their leasing questions answered by experts. See details below. (Submitted photo) A series of workshops throughout August and early September will equip landlords, tenants, and other stakeholders with valuable knowledge and tools for managing agricultural leases and planning for the future.

Extension Weed Management Specialist Amit Jhala explains the process of controlling Palmer amaranth in post-emergence soybean with sequentially applied residual herbicides.

Options for post-emergence control of Palmer amaranth in corn.

Chances are good for several rounds of rainfall to hit Nebraska next week, to be followed by a dry spell and some intense heat during the last week of August.

Persistent wet weather in the early growing season set the scene for severe corn diseases in some areas of Nebraska. This article provides guidance on the use of foliar fungicides to mitigate losses, with respect to application timing, disease history, crop stage, and weather forecasts.

The 109th Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference of the National Association of County Agriculture Agents recognized four Nebraska Extension professionals with national awards. (IANR News photo) Four Nebraska Extension professionals received national awards this year for excellence in extension programming and research initiatives.

Franz inspects one of the cosmic ray neutron sensors at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center. The sensors' readings indicate soil moisture levels. Solar flares, such as those that produced the auroras in Nebraska on May 10-11, trigger electromagnetic interference in the sensors' readings. UNL has taken steps to correct the distortions and ensure data reliability. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing) UNL has installed a neutron monitor — the third of its kind in the U.S. — to improve the accuracy of soil moisture readings by correcting data affected by solar activity, which is crucial for agriculture and climate monitoring.