Latest Updates from cropwatch.unl.edu

Nebraska will have a brief break from precipitation early next week, but another round of storms is expected to bring rainfall back to the state by Thursday, May 30.

There are four key points to remember during the process of planning and planting perennial grasses: seed cost, seedbed, seeding depth and weed control. Extension educators review the financial and operational considerations of converting cropland to grass pastures.

Nebraska Extension Weed Management Specialist Amit Jhala offers advice to growers on using labeled adjuvants with pre-emergence herbicides for better results in weed control.

Figure 1. Research plots at Havelock Research Farm in Lincoln, Lancaster County on May 23. (Photos by Stephen Wegulo) Stripe rust observations and severity have increased in Nebraska, and Fusarium head blight was detected at trace levels.

While land, machinery and equipment are the most logical options, any physical asset used on your farm or ranch could be considered in a gift leaseback for family members looking to join the operation. (CAP photo) Continuing a series that highlight ideas and tactics for bringing another family member into the operation, this extension article expands on strategies to transfer wealth by combining gifts with a lease agreement.

Christine Wittich, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, has received a five-year, $615,387 Faculty Early Career Development Program award grant from the National Science Foundation to improve the structural engineering of steel grain bins. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing) Ultimately, Wittich’s research could lead to different construction standards for bins.

Management of pillbugs is challenging. While some insecticides and planting strategies may help control pillbug populations, producers should carefully weigh the pros and cons of each approach.

The North Platte NRD’s Greener Gardens Greenhouse will be one of the stops on the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Society annual meeting tour. (Photo by Chabella Guzman) This year’s theme is “Tech Talks — Tech Walks,” focusing on various technologies, with tours planned at a local organic heritage seed farm and North Platte NRD's geothermal greenhouse.

This year's annual field day will include new contests in the Agronomic Olympics, live demos, guest speakers and a four-man golf scramble.

Once silage is exposed to oxygen, its quality can decrease quickly. For best results, don’t expose more than three days’ worth of a pile at a time. Tips on retaining silage condition during feedout, planning the optimal time for grass hay harvest, and controlling grasshopper in rangeland and forages.

Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA. Planting was in full swing last week and Nebraska farmers made significant progress on corn and soybean. As of May 19, most crops were just slightly behind average planting pace.

To receive 2024 weekly crop water use reports via text message, subscribe on the PHREC AgLab site.

Nebraska Extension Educator Gary Stone highlights anticipated crop water use with regard to ongoing precipitation.

A very active weather pattern is on the way to Nebraska. For farmers trying to get crops in the ground, there likely won't be more than 72 consecutive hours without precipitation between Sunday, May 19 and the end of the month.

Figure 1. An irrigated wheat field in Perkins County with no disease on May 15. (Photos by Stephen Wegulo) The prevalence of stripe rust has significantly increased in Nebraska, with infections identified in 15 southern counties so far.

Extension educators report on what they are seeing in the fields this week in Colfax, Butler, Polk, Adams, Kearney, Franklin and Webster counties.

Seven exam prep courses will be offered across the state June through August for producers and other members of the public who need to obtain a Part 107 remote pilot certification or license to fly drones for commercial applications. The second round of prep courses offered by extension this year, Part 107 will prepare producers to pass the FFA exam and earn a remote pilot certification for commercial use of drones on their operations.

To see how your planting progress compares to the statewide progress reported by USDA NASS, view the latest crop progress report here. This article examines the individual planting progress of 14 Nebraska producers in comparison to planting progress reported weekly by USDA NASS.

Nathan Mueller, Nebraska Extension water and cropping systems educator, speaks to participants during the 2023 4Rs Nutrient Stewardship Field Day. New to the 4Rs Field Day in 2024 is a demonstration on UNL's newly developed web-based N tool, designed to increase efficiency of nitrogen use, as well as ease of record-keeping.

Identification of field pennycress is key for management this fall. See this N Field episode for tips on scouting and control options.

Several local organic farmers who utilize flame weeding will share their experiences with the technique during the workshop Aug. 22 at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center. (Department of Agronomy and Horticulture photo) The workshop will feature demonstrations on how to do proper flaming to control over 10 major Midwestern weeds in field corn, sweet corn, popcorn, soybean, sorghum, sunflower, alfalfa and wheat.