Latest Updates from cropwatch.unl.edu

Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA. As of Feb. 25, winter wheat condition and soil moisture supplies rated slightly below January totals.

See Nebraska's county level estimates for 2023 row crops here. County-level estimates for 2023 row crops in Nebraska are now available on USDA NASS's Quickstats database.

Free to attend, the Annual Results Update meetings will provide Nebraskans the opportunity to hear on-farm research insights from the producers who conducted projects throughout 2023, as well as connect with Nebraska Extension educators. The Nebraska On-Farm Research Network's final 2024 Results Update meetings will take place on Feb. 27 in York, and Feb. 28 in Kearney.

Drought adds another layer of complication to the process of establishing fair pasture rental rates. Landowners renting pasture in severe drought-impacted regions might consider pricing leases based on grazing animal unit months or rent per head per month of grazing, rather than flat rates per acre or cow-calf pair. Extension educators share considerations for establishing pasture rental rates and selecting alfalfa seed for winter survival traits.

A cow's energy requirements increase about 30% and protein needs nearly double after calving. Because of this, it's important to use your best quality forages with any needed supplements to provide adequate nutrition. Tips on meeting nutrient requirements of cows after calving season and improving pasture production by frost seeding or interseeding legumes.

Prospective Planting survey results will be published in the Prospective Plantings and quarterly Grain Stocks reports to be released on March 28, 2024. NASS will mail the survey questionnaire in late February, asking producers to provide information about the types of crops and amount of acreage they intend to plant in 2024.

To use the new Pay My Loan feature for direct loans, producers must establish a USDA customer account and a USDA Level 2 eAuthentication account or a Login.gov account. See more details below. To better assist producers during seasons of limited free time, such as planting and harvest, farm loan payments can now be made at the borrower’s convenience, on their schedule.

Jill O’Donnell, director of the Clayton Yeutter Institute on International Trade and Finance, recently offered insight on how to boost ag innovation with gene editing technologies.

Nebraska Extension Educator Amy Timmerman shares insights to help Nebraska producers decide whether drones would be a beneficial precision ag investment for their operations.

Except for a short-lived cold front next week beginning on Wednesday, Nebraska is expected to have mild weather for the rest of February.

USDA’s REAP and FPEP programs were devised to help ag producers and rural small business owners expand their use of clean energy, modernize equipment, adopt new technologies, build production plants and more. One of the program fund recipients is a Nebraska-based business that plans to construct a fully automated fertilizer facility.

The February Land Management Quarterly webinar will include an “Ask the Experts” session, allowing participants to get answers to their land or lease questions. The Center for Agricultural Profitability's first Land Management Quarterly of 2024 will cover the latest trends in Nebraska cash rental rates, new leasing considerations, and more on Feb. 19.

In a new episode of Nebraska FARMcast, Dave Aiken, professor and extension agricultural law specialist, discusses two new Nebraska legislative bills aimed at restricting alien land ownership. Dave Aiken, professor and extension agricultural law specialist, discusses two new Nebraska legislative bills aimed at restricting alien land ownership.

Throughout each Center for Agricultural Profitability Returning to the Farm workshop, participants receive help from experts in developing estate and transition plans, setting personal and professional goals and improving the communication process between family members. This workshop series assists families and agricultural operations with developing financial plans and successful working arrangements to meet their unique needs.

Strategic planning is a dynamic process that requires continuous adaptation to changing circumstances and is most effective when it includes input from stakeholders, including family, partners, employees, and even customers, suppliers, and buyers. (CAP photo) Center for Agricultural Profitability Director Larry Van Tassell discusses two steps that make planning strategic: defining the mission of the business and assessing the external environment and its implications for the farm business.

The CDFA-NASDA Foundation Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Access to Capital Program will help rural communities understand the myriad of financing programs available to invest in socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and develop long-term access to capital programs and strategies. The program will assist underserved farmers and ranchers with finding affordable funding sources to start and grow their business.

The NFarms initiative at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center will be a test bed for new technologies, as well as platforms to help farmers better harness data. The initiative also will develop innovative decision-making tools that producers can use for efficient field management. Nate Thorson, the program’s research manager, brings experience with both agricultural production systems and software design to the platform. (Photo by Deloris Pittman)

A prolonged polar vortex caused below-average temperatures and above-average precipitation last month, which had the added benefit of improving drought conditions in eastern Nebraska.

Results of the 2022 Census of Agriculture are now available on the USDA NASS website. Though the numbers of farms in Nebraska was down slightly in 2022, the value of ag products has risen by 34% since 2017.

An upcoming four-part extension workshop for women in agriculture will focus on emergency preparedness for rural families. (Adobe Stock photo) Hosted by local extension personnel in five locations across Nebraska, the workshop series will focus on farm and ranch emergency management, first aid, fire protection and hazardous materials.