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NU Horizon Genetics now supplies UNL-developed small-grain seed varieties. (IANR News image) NU Horizon Genetics will promote, market and commercialize the certified seed of wheat, barley and triticale varieties developed by UNL, including the recently released irrigated wheat variety Epoch.

Historical crop production reports for Nebraska are available at USDA. Based on July 1 conditions, Nebraska's winter wheat and oat production are up more than 20% from last year.

Figure 1. Tan spot on a wheat leaf. (Photos by Stephen Wegulo) This article summarizes strategies that can be used between now and planting winter wheat this fall to minimize losses due to diseases during next year’s growing season.

Plant scientists Fatiha Bentata of Morocco and Intissar Zarrouk of Tunisia screened these wheat samples for resistance to root rot caused by the Fusarium fungus as part of greenhouse research at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln last fall. The scientists, visiting the university through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Scientific Exchanges Program, analyzed 13 wheat varieties grown in Nebraska for disease resistance. At left are non-inoculated control plants. At right is a soil mix inoculated with isolates of the Fusarium fungus. (Photo courtesy IANR Media) UNL researchers involved in a new international collaboration with Morocco hope to boost wheat disease research and strengthen prevention strategies against fungus-enabled wheat diseases.

When planted in early July, sorghum-sudangrasses can produce three to four tons by early to mid-September. (Photo by Troy Walz/UNL Beef) UNL Beef provides information on forage species selection and key management considerations based on desired use.

Industry experts from organizations across the U.S. are set to present their research insights on advancements in soybean genetics during the Aug. 10-13 conference.

Nebraska Soil Health School attendees listen to Nebraska Extension Engineer Paul Jasa during a soil demonstration at the North Platte event. Nebraska residents have one more opportunity to attend a Soil Health School in 2023 — the final school is set for Aug. 1-2 in Concord, Nebraska. The final Nebraska Soil Health School in 2023, Haskell Ag Lab's school on Aug. 1-2 will feature numerous speakers and hands-on activities, and is free for all to attend.

The third and final Nebraska Soil Health School for 2023 will be Aug. 1-2 at UNL's Haskell Ag Lab in Concord, Nebraska. The school is free to attend and registration is now open online. Attendees of the second Nebraska Soil Health School in North Platte heard the latest on fundamental soil health principles, soil health science and demonstrations from UNL researchers and educators, and a team from NRCS.

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Tanks that are used to haul nitrogen-based fertilizer should not be used to transport drinking water for cattle as there is a risk of poisoning. Any nitrogen remaining in the tank can potentially cause nitrate or non-protein nitrogen (urea) toxicosis in ruminants (depending on form of fertilizer).

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Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA. Nebraska crop conditions and topsoil moisture improved slightly across the board after last week's rainfall, and crop growth progressed near average pace for most crops.

To avoid rain delays on swathing and baling alfalfa hay, producers can lower harvest drying times by using wider windrow swatch and crimper conditioning. Management strategies for curing alfalfa windrows in adverse weather conditions, grazing sudangrass and sorghum-sudan hybrids safely, and water quality issues for livestock on pasture.

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

Nebraska Extension Educator Gary Stone discusses how the exceptionally wet spring, hail and high winds have affected crop growth stages and resulting water use in the Panhandle.

Grasshoppers tend to thrive in dry, hot conditions while outbreaks can be severely limited by cool, wet spring weather, and as such, producers in eastern Nebraska might see an increase in outbreaks this summer, while western Nebraska grasshopper populations may be reduced. Extension insights on grazing strategies to accommodate weather changes, scouting and treatment recommendations for grasshoppers, and tips for getting the most out of sub-irrigated meadow hay harvest in Nebraska.

(From left) Carolina Córdova, Aaron Hird and Ariel Freidenreich are part of the Statewide Soil Health Team, a collaboration aimed at identifying ways in which the university, USDA-ARS and USDA-NRCS can actively support and contribute to a wide range of soil health activities, events and projects throughout Nebraska. (Department of Agronomy and Horticulture photo) Soil health specialists and scientists from UNL, USDA NRCS and USDA ARS will collaborate on the team, seeking opportunities to share their expertise and support with Nebraska growers on soil health education, projects and other concerns.

Glenn Spangler examines soybeans in a field on his Cass County farm. (Nebraska On-Farm Research Network photo)

Learn the techniques for conducting a thorough examination when scouting for tar spot in your fields.

Nebraska Extension Weed Management Specialist Amit Jhala discusses Assure II, the only labeled herbicide currently on the market that can be applied to control corn volunteers in Enlist corn

Wheat stem sawfly on a piece of wheat. (Photo by Jeff Bradshaw) Growers are encouraged to share their insights on controlling wheat stem sawfly through the survey, which will help a UNL-led team of researchers find improved solutions for management of this pervasive wheat pest.

Anyone who has an interest in plant breeding and wants to extend his/her knowledge in hybrid breeding is welcome to attend the Aug. 9-10 program on University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s East Campus. Hosted in the UNL maize breeding nursery, the workshop will give participants an introductory overview of the structure and complexity of a comprehensive hybrid breeding program.