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Executives and agronomists from numerous farm implement and ag tech companies will share information and address stakeholder questions about utilizing spot spray technologies during this free webinar. (USDA/Flicker) This free webinar will help producers and ag professionals learn more about utilizing new ag technology that enables site-specific weed management in crop production.

Friday, August 18, 2023

While we can’t control the heat, there are some things we can control to help cattle through it. 

Spanish: 

Visit Nebraska Women in Ag for more resources and educational opportunities to enhance your management skills for careers in the ag industry. (Erin Ehnle Brown/realagstock) Three Nebraska producers discuss challenges they face both in and outside the workplace in this conversational webinar, presented by the Center for Ag Profitability and Nebraska Women in Ag.

In addition to intense heat, the next decent chance of rain for the main corn-soybean producing sections of the state is likely 10-14 days out. Nebraska is entering a period of above-average temperatures with meager to no precipitation, which will undoubtedly will have an impact on rainfed crops that are already stressed or are borderline stressed.

Results of the small grains survey will be published in several reports, including the annual Small Grains Summary and the quarterly Grain Stocks report, both to be released on Friday, Sept. 29. During the first two weeks of September, Nebraska growers of wheat, oats, barley and rye will be asked to share their acreage, yield and production data, to be utilized by USDA for administering federal farm programs.

Silage is the most widely preferred method of utilizing drought-stressed corn, as the ensiling process reduces nitrate levels by as much as one-half to one-third; however, proper technique is critical and testing before feeding is recommended. (Photo by Kristen Ulmer)

Historical crop production reports for Nebraska are available at USDA. Nebraska's sorghum production expanded exponentially in 2023, increasing 207% over the prior year, with crop acreage up 76%.

Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA. As of Aug. 13, harvest for winter wheat harvest was at 97% complete and oats, 89%. Crop conditions remained stable.

Leaving the field a little drier at the end of the season will save irrigation costs, decrease leaching losses, improve soil conditions for harvest traffic, save water for future years and help producers capture off-season precipitation.

Despite significant improvements in drought conditions, much of Nebraska is still lacking deep soil moisture. August precipitation will be critical for the soybean crop, as most places don't have the capacity to get into September without it.

Though pastures that have had some precipitation are coming back, resist the temptation of grazing them hard this fall, as these plants need to build back reserves before winter. Insights on managing drought-stressed brome pastures this fall, planting windows and weed control for fall-seeded alfalfa, and registration information about upcoming field days.

Eight teams comprised of Nebraska youth competed in this year's Nebraska Youth Crop Scouting Competition. Following their third place victory in 2022, the Colfax County 4-H #2 team claimed first place honors in this year's competition, securing the opportunity to compete at regionals in September.

Drought-stressed soybeans with few to no pods present. Depending on economics to harvest, using drought-stressed soybeans for forage may be an option. (Photo by Jenny Rees) Nebraska Extension recommendations for Nebraska producers considering grazing, haying or ensiling droughty soybeans this year.

The Nebraska Cooperative Development Center has teamed up with the Nebraska Grocery Industry Association to host the inaugural Grocery Industry Summit in Kearney on Thursday, Aug. 24. The free summit is designed for attendees to learn about, discuss and address the many challenges facing the grocery industry today. 

Producers and agronomists listen to a seminar during the 2022 Southeast Nebraska Alfalfa and Wheat Expo in Crete. This year's expo will feature seminars and research updates on the UNL wheat breeding program, wheat fungicide seed treatments, alfalfa variety selection, alfalfa aphids and weevils, and more.

In week three of this series, let’s explore the second of the 7 C’s, “congruence.”

Another of the individual values in the social change model, congruence means “thinking, feeling, and behaving with consistency, genuineness, authenticity and honesty towards others.”

Having the experience and facilities to put up silage is one of many important considerations for producers faced with forage shortage concerns this year. (UNL Beef photo) When evaluating whether to harvest a field for silage or grain, there are several factors to consider. Both methods of harvest have advantages and disadvantages depending upon an operation’s goals and objectives.

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

Nebraska Extension Educator Gary Stone shares an update on potential crop water use as temperatures are expected to rise into the upper 90s-low 100s this week.

I have spent a lot of time in this column talking about communities . . . but I don’t think I’ve ever explained what I mean when I say, “community.”

As a definition, I like this one from the University of Minnesota Extension program:

"Community, in its most basic definition, can be defined as individuals who share a common interest, background or purpose that gives them a sense of cohesion."

Attendees of this year's pasture walk will have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with extension educators to address their forage production questions and concerns. (CropWatch file photo) During this year's pasture walk at ENREEC, participants will learn about warm-season annual productivity, annual forage fertility management, prussic acid and nitrate concerns, and more.