Latest Updates from cropwatch.unl.edu

The final results of a three-year study on interseeding cover crops in early-season corn and soybean include observations on yield, soil quality and net return.

Early spring is a good time to evaluate alfalfa stands to assess reseeding needs, and begin control measures on winter annual weeds like pennycress, downy brome and cheatgrass to get the best quality out of your first cutting of alfalfa. This week — Tips on controlling winter annual weeds for optimum first cutting hay quality, evaluating alfalfa stands with a hay square, and grazing rye, winter wheat and triticale during a cool start to spring,

Congratulations to Allen Vynhalek, who retires this month after a long career serving the agricultural community through extension in Nebraska and Iowa. (Photo courtesy IANR News) This month, Vyhnalek closes out 22 years as an extension educator in Nebraska, where he is well-known for his expertise in farm and ranch succession. 

Martha Mamo, chair and John E. Weaver Professor of Agronomy and Horticulture. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication) Learn more about how the UNL Department of Agronomy and Horticulture is supporting and advancing the state of agriculture in Nebraska.

The site of this new study is the Barta Brothers Ranch, located about 20 miles south of Long Pine in Rock and Brown counties in Nebraska. First-year results of the study concluded that burn/graze systems can increase a producer's profitability while also controlling invasive eastern red cedar encroachment.

Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA. As of April 2, oat planting had begun in Nebraska, and winter wheat condition remained steady.

Stephenson's research through Nebraska Extension in grazing livestock distribution, targeted grazing, social association dynamics within cattle herds, and rangeland resilience on private ranches is cutting-edge and has placed him in a leadership position in foraging ecology.

Historical prospective plantings data for Nebraska is available at USDA. According to survey results, Nebraska winter wheat acreage is expected to increase by 17% in 2023, soybeans will remain unchanged, and corn acreage will be slightly down from 2022.

Historical grain stock data for Nebraska is available at USDA. All Nebraska grain stocks as of March 1 were down considerably from 2022, with the greatest deficit in barley at 59% down, followed by sorghum, 51%.

The 2023 Water for Food Global Conference will be held May 8-11. A special discount is offered for faculty, students and staff at the University of Nebraska. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication) This year's conference will focus on innovative ways to improve water and food security by increasing farmers’ resiliency to a changing landscape.

According to the latest farm income outlook, production and feed expenses are expected to level off this year, and fuel and oil prices are expected to fall modestly. View the full report at the links below. UNL ag finance experts review the latest farm income report, which suggests that Nebraska's net farm income will experience a modest rebound in 2023.

Throughout this webinar, Aiken overviews the functions and goals of the Growing Climate Solutions Act and how producers can find success in the ag carbon credit markets. UNL Ag Law and Water Law Specialist Dave Aiken webinar offers an overview of the Growing Climate Solutions Act and what it means for agriculture with respect to the ag carbon credit market.

The 2023 TAPS Competition participants will soon make their first decisions of the growing season — watch for updates in the coming months as participants choose their seed varieties, manage nitrogen applications and irrigation, and more.

Though central and western Nebraska a have a higher risk for grasshopper outbreaks this season, a cool, wet spring would mitigate population growth not only for this growing season, but also the following year. Reviewing seed selection to avoid anthracnose and Phytophthora root rot, assessing alfalfa stands and predictions on grasshopper populations following the 2022 drought.

In the latest episode, FarmBits chats with Carlos Pizolotto, a Brazilian plant pathologist who is researching predictive models to prevent and control disease outbreaks in agriculture.

Robert Koch of the University of Minnesota speaks to the FarmBits team about the soybean pest management research being conducted in his lab, using remote sensing for scouting and sampling fields for soybean aphids.

Approximately $123 million in automatic financial assistance has been made available for qualifying Farm Loan Program (FLP) direct loan borrowers who meet certain criteria. The new relief funds will begin dispersement in April, and all producers with open FLP loans will receive a letter that details eligibility, and information about qualifying for assistance and how to apply.

Weekly USDA NASS crop condition reports are set to begin April 3 for the 2023 growing season. Very little change was recorded in winter wheat condition and soil moisture across Nebraska at the end of March, with only 22% of wheat in good-excellent condition.

FieldWatch covers all registered commercial apiary sites, vineyards, orchards, fruit and vegetable grow sites, nursery and Christmas tree production sites, and certified organic and transitional organic crops. To add your site onto FieldWatch, visit the link below. As the growing season quickly approaches, producers are reminded to use FieldWatch and DriftWatch to protect specialty crop acreage and apiaries, which number in the thousands across Nebraska.

A 2022 East Campus Discovery Days and Farmers Market attendee learns to lasso at the UNL Rodeo Club exhibit. The annual event, held on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s East Campus for three Saturdays each summer, offers locally grown and produced foods and crafts, educational activities from UNL departments, food trucks and live music. (Photo by Jordan Opp, University Communication and Marketing) In addition to giving local growers a chance to connect with the public as business owners and agvocates, Discovery Days also showcases the ag research, teaching and extension taking place across IANR.