Latest Updates from cropwatch.unl.edu

Though the farm finance and ag law clinics are offered monthly at sites across Nebraska, remote sessions are another option — call the number below to arrange a one-on-one meeting via phone or virtual platform. If you can't attend one of the two dates scheduled for free, in-person farm and ag law clinics in March, virtual/phone options are also available anytime. 

Taylor Cross (right), a graduate student in mechanized systems management, speaks with Nebraska ag producers Doug Jones (left) and Tony Jones about the sensor-based fertigation management technology that’s been shown to increase nitrogen-use efficiency and profitability in on-farm research. (Photo courtesy Nebraska Today | Hannah Gaebel Dorn, HG Images) Tested on cornfields in eastern Nebraska, the study's sensor-based fertigation produced about 44 pounds more grain per pound of nitrogen than traditional methods, with an increase in profitability ranging from $28-$40 per acre.

Spring is a critical time to control weeds in alfalfa, as weeds grow faster than stressed alfalfa, leading to thin stands, weakened plants and lower yields. Interseeding cool-season perennial grasses into alfalfa and applying herbicides in early spring are reliable methods of improving alfalfa production and health this growing season.

Participants of the 2022 Innovative Youth Corn Competition experimented with using supplemental sulfur, fertigation, PrairieFood, Pivot Bio and cover crops to boost yields and maximize their return on investment. Arlington FFA Chapter members Aaron Fuchs and Braden Monke placed first in the 2022 contest with their study on supplemental sulfur, which increased plant health and final yield of their corn crop.

To view Walter's webinar with Nebraska Farm Bureau on making 2023 crop insurance decisions, click the link to the article below. (Photo courtesy Center for Agricultural Profitability) Cory Walters, associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, breaks down how these two crop insurance contract options work to protect producers and their operations.

Nessi Benishti from Agrio discusses the company's mobile applications, which help producers make precision plant protection decisions using artificial intelligence.

Amos Petersen, founder and CEO at FarrPro, talks with the FarmBits team about the Sentry system, which assists producers with tracking hog health and behavioral information.

Soybeans, corn, beef, dairy, cotton and tree nuts were the top commodities exported by the U.S. in 2022 and represented more than half of U.S. agricultural export value. According to USDA, U.S. agricultural exports in 2022 increased 11%, or $19.5 billion, from the previous record set in 2021.

Clover is one of several legumes that can fix atmospheric nitrogen and provide high quality forage in pastures if interseeded into fields with adequate phosphorus levels and good seed placement. Extension educators share techniques for finding success while frost seeding legumes in pastures and establishing new alfalfa stands this growing season.

Jhala's new position will support the department's goals in connecting faculty and extension educators throughout Nebraska, creating opportunities for collaborations on translational research, and enriching student experiences.

Laura Thompson, Nebraska Extension, and Laila Puntel, UNL Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, will present research findings and insights on ag technology and on-farm research during the March 9-11 Commodity Classic in Orlando, Florida. Recordings of their presentations will be available at a later date for those who don't attend in person. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing) UNL's Laura Thompson and Laila Puntel will highlight their research on remote sensing in nitrogen fertilizer management and share insights on what the data-driven “farm of the future” will look like and the path ag producers will take to reach it.

UNL Farm and Ranch Management Analyst Glennis McClure appears on RFD-TV to discuss crop production costs and strategies for mitigation financial burdens during the 2023 growing season.

Photo courtesy Center for Agricultural Profitability | Hailey Walmsley/realagstock UNL agricultural economics experts shed light on the impact of Nebraska agriculture in the United States.

Nebraska Extension Educator Allan Vyhalnek chats with David Endorf of Daylon, and June and Ryan Loseke of Columbus — three Nebraska producers who share their experiences surrounding transition and succession of their operations. Nebraska Extension Educator Allan Vyhnalek interviews two families currently going through the process of transition and succession of their operations.

After intense drought conditions and heavily grazed pastures last year, producers may want to consider strategies like reducing stocking rates, delaying spring turnout and seeded annual forages in their forage plans for 2023. Reviewing the impact of TDN values in hay tests, and considerations for spring and summer forage plans following the severe drought conditions and heavy grazing experienced in 2022.

All Nebraska On-Farm Research results books are free to the public and available as PDF downloads. The nearly 70 on-farm research studies conducted by Nebraska farmers in 2022 addressed fertility and soil management, cover crops, crop protection, equipment and non-traditional products, including biologicals.

Free to attend, the kickoff event will include a tour of Corteva Agriscience and a launch of the 2023 TAPS Competition, where participants will learn about the process of competing throughout the 2023 growing season.

Though Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and South Dakota have received new guidelines for the cutoff date to apply dicamba-based herbicides this year, Nebraska's cutoff date remains June 30. Nebraska's cutoff date of June 30 for application of Engenia, Tavium and XtendiMax in soybean remains unchanged for the 2023 growing season.

County-level estimates for 2022 production of corn, sorghum and soybeans are now available on the USDA NASS site.