Latest Updates from cropwatch.unl.edu

Young palmer amaranth weed in a field plot at the West Central Research, Education and Extension Center in North Platte. (Photo by Milos Zaric) Extension urges producers to prepare for alternative weed management strategies in 2024 after a federal court ruling cancelled the EPA's 2020 approvals of the dicamba-based herbicides Xtendimax, Engenia and Tavium.

Sawfly traps without the nets stand in wheat fields at the High Plains Ag Lab near Sidney. The traps are part of ongoing research on the wheat stem sawfly. (Photo by Chabella Guzman) The Feb. 15 meeting will include updates on HPAL winter wheat fertility research and alternative crops breeding, wheat stem sawfly initiatives, TAPS wheat contest results, commodity marketing, HPAL 2022 crop production review and more.

IRS Section 180 allows landowners to treat the residual fertility present in the soil at the time of purchase as a deductible cost. Though the deduction should be filed during the year of land purchase, landowners may be able to file an amended tax return for a previous tax year. It’s important to consult your CPA or tax advisor to understand your options and file accordingly. With recent land purchases, many Nebraska producers are seeking to better understand IRS Section 180 tax deductions. This article provides a review of the tax code and its potential financial implications for landowners of newly acquired land.

Properly testing hay and adjusting mineral and livestock diets during the winter are important steps in minimizing the risk of issues like tetany and nitrate poisoning. Extension educators review factors that affect the success of pasture grazing leases, and how to avoid toxicity and malnutrition through livestock feed during the winter.

Nebraska will see mild temperatures continue into next week, with chances of precipitation this weekend and again next Thursday, Feb. 8.

There are several assistance programs available through USDA that may help producers who have experiences losses due to recent severe winter weather. More information about these programs is available on farmers.gov. Nebraska producers are encouraged to contact FSA to learn about the assistance programs and how to apply, including understanding needed documentation, such as farm records, herd inventory, receipts and pictures of damages or losses.

The National Agricultural Classification Survey seeks to identify individuals who produce and sell $1,000 of more of agricultural products in a calendar year, so that they may participate in the next Census of Agriculture. The survey will go to approximately 250,000 recipients to ask if they conduct agricultural activity to ensure that every U.S. producer has a voice and is counted in the highly anticipated and influential agricultural census data.

The UNL TAPS team is looking for people interested in participating in the inaugural year of the soybean competition. If interested, contact TAPS Program Manager Krystle Rhoades. The new soybean competition will be hosted at ENREEC near Mead, and give participants the opportunity to test a wide range of ag management technologies.

What impact did the polar vortex have on those troublesome agricultural insects that are taking a winter nap? Nebraska Extension Educator Amy Timmerman weighs in.

In her new role, Bathke will lead efforts to complete a report assessing impacts of climate change, requested by the Nebraska Legislature through LB1255 in 2022.

Nebraska broke its own record for warmest December in 2023, as did many other states in the north-central region of the U.S.

A center-pivot irrigation system waters a cornfield near Adams, Nebraska, about 45 minutes south of Lincoln. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing) Researchers involved in the study found that an aquifer’s depletion can curb crop yields even when it appears saturated enough to meet irrigation demands, and yield losses intensify when an aquifer drops below certain thresholds.

The Agricultural Budget Calculator is a free tool to help producers figure machinery field operation and ownership costs. For more, visit the ABC website. (CAP photo) An analysis of field operation costs for newer equipment versus slightly older equipment of similar size and power, which are used to determine costs for planting row crops.

The Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff welcomed Dr. Pin-Chu Lai, entomologist and Nebraska Extension specialist, on Jan. 2, 2024. (Photo by Chabella Guzman) Dr. Pin-Chu Lai joined university faculty in January as the Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center's new entomologist and Nebraska Extension specialist.

The 2024 Nebraska Soybean Production Clinic is free to attend and will offer CCA credits for each presentation. Presentations at the 2024 Soybean Production Clinic will feature Nebraska Extension research on integrated pest management, soybean planter setup, nutrient and irrigation management, plant diseases and more.

For farmers and ranchers, having investments like a retirement account can help mitigate risk. Often, retirement funds grow at a higher rate than inflation, protecting a person’s purchasing power later in life. Insights on saving for retirement and reducing tax liability for self-employed farmers and ranchers.

According to USDA, only 40% of farm households participate in some type of retirement account. Center for Ag Profitability experts review features of the One-Participant 401(k), which helps self-employed individuals and their spouses save money for retirement and reduce taxable income.

For assistance with fluctuations in commodity crop prices, producers can elect coverage and enroll in ARC-County or PLC on a crop-by-crop basis, or ARC-Individual for the entire farm, for the 2024 crop year. Elections must be submitted by March 15. Hosted at numerous sites throughout Nebraska in February, the free workshops will help producers learn more about the ARC and PLC programs and how to apply in 2024.

Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA. January's precipitation was a boon for Nebraska, improving "good" winter wheat standings by 23% and adequate-surplus topsoil moisture supplies by 26%.

Bean plants grow in the UNL Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center’s greenhouse. (Photo by Chabella Guzman) Register by Feb. 9 to attend the 2024 Nebraska Dry Bean Day, featuring presentations on Nebraska Extension research, ag industry updates, weather impacts on dry bean production this growing season, and more.