Latest Updates from cropwatch.unl.edu

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Updated: 52 min 14 sec ago

Crop Progress: Nebraska Corn, Soybean Reach Final Maturity Stage

Mon, 08/19/2024 - 17:43
Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA. Crop conditions remain steady, and Nebraska corn and soybean are entering the final stages of maturity.

Field Tours and More at the Annual P.A.R.T.T.

Thu, 08/15/2024 - 16:17
Checking on results from soil probes in the field are Homnath Ghimire, intern ( left), Dr. Mohamed Khalil, Nebraska Extension faculty, and graduate student Sujani De Silva. (Photo by Chabella Guzman) Attendance is free for the tours, which will feature presentations by UNL researchers on alternative crop production, nutrient management for sugarbeets and dry beans, university irrigation studies and more.

2023 Farm Production Expenditures Down 1%

Thu, 08/15/2024 - 16:01
Of all farm and ranch expenditures for Nebraska in 2023, the livestock expense category was the leading expenditure at $168,667 per operation — 5.72 times the national average. Livestock expenses increased 11% in 2023 and accounted for 27% of Nebraska's total production expenditures.

Annual Forage Options Following Irrigated Winter Wheat

Thu, 08/15/2024 - 15:33
Pastures are only one of the feed sources producers use for livestock. (Photo by Chabella Guzman) Results of a UNL study on planting a sorghum-sudangrass hybrid, oats and foxtail millet after wheat harvest to produce quality fall forage in western Nebraska, where low rainfall and cool-season pasture decline is an obstacle for producers.

Nebraska 2024 Farm Real Estate Value and Cash Rent

Thu, 08/15/2024 - 14:31
Historical ag land values for Nebraska are available at USDA. Nebraska's farm real estate value is up $260 per acre (7%) from last year.

Extension Ag Land Management, Leasing Workshops to Cover Leasing Practices, Succession

Thu, 08/15/2024 - 14:22
Attendees of this workshop will have the chance to get their leasing questions answered by experts. See details below. (Submitted photo) A series of workshops throughout August and early September will equip landlords, tenants, and other stakeholders with valuable knowledge and tools for managing agricultural leases and planning for the future.

This Week on N Field: Palmer Amaranth Control in Soybean

Thu, 08/15/2024 - 14:02
Extension Weed Management Specialist Amit Jhala explains the process of controlling Palmer amaranth in post-emergence soybean with sequentially applied residual herbicides.

This Week on N Field: Sequential Residual Herbicides for Palmer Amaranth Control in Corn

Thu, 08/15/2024 - 13:11
Options for post-emergence control of Palmer amaranth in corn.

Weekly Weather Outlook and Update: Aug. 14, 2024

Thu, 08/15/2024 - 12:02
Chances are good for several rounds of rainfall to hit Nebraska next week, to be followed by a dry spell and some intense heat during the last week of August.

Corn Disease Update: Fungicide Expectations for Disease Control

Thu, 08/15/2024 - 10:38
Persistent wet weather in the early growing season set the scene for severe corn diseases in some areas of Nebraska. This article provides guidance on the use of foliar fungicides to mitigate losses, with respect to application timing, disease history, crop stage, and weather forecasts.

Nebraska Extension Professionals Honored with 2024 National Awards

Wed, 08/14/2024 - 17:14
The 109th Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference of the National Association of County Agriculture Agents recognized four Nebraska Extension professionals with national awards. (IANR News photo) Four Nebraska Extension professionals received national awards this year for excellence in extension programming and research initiatives.

Husker Projects Advance Study of Soil Moisture, Hydrology

Wed, 08/14/2024 - 16:45
Franz inspects one of the cosmic ray neutron sensors at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center. The sensors' readings indicate soil moisture levels. Solar flares, such as those that produced the auroras in Nebraska on May 10-11, trigger electromagnetic interference in the sensors' readings. UNL has taken steps to correct the distortions and ensure data reliability. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing) UNL has installed a neutron monitor — the third of its kind in the U.S. — to improve the accuracy of soil moisture readings by correcting data affected by solar activity, which is crucial for agriculture and climate monitoring.

Ideas for Estate and Transition Planning: Gifting Ownership

Wed, 08/14/2024 - 16:17
Farm families who decide to gift a portion of the business to heirs should weigh the options carefully — gifting shares during life may reduce the donor's tax liability but could also lower their income, whereas transferring ownership at death allows heirs to benefit from a step-up in the asset's tax basis, potentially reducing capital gains taxes. (CAP photo) The next installment of a series on bringing family members into an agricultural operation, this article focuses on the pros and cons of gifting shares of the business during the donor's life versus at their death.

Schnable Expands Work to ID Corn Genes, Predict Hybrid Performance

Wed, 08/14/2024 - 13:08
A team led by Nebraska's James Schnable has received federal funding to expand the development of an innovative method to predict the performance of corn hybrids. The work is an important step toward commercializing new crop varieties. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing) The research team's efforts could lead to innovations that significantly streamline the process of breeding and commercializing high-yield, resilient corn varieties, which is crucial for meeting global food demands

USDA Forecasts U.S. Corn Production Down, Soybean Production Up from 2023

Wed, 08/14/2024 - 10:44
Historical U.S. crop production reports are available at USDA. Nationwide, corn production is down by 1% from 2023, but soybean growers are expected to have a record-setting season, with the current yield forecast at 4.59 billion bushels.

Nebraska Crop Production Report for August 2024

Wed, 08/14/2024 - 10:28
Historical crop production reports for Nebraska are available at USDA. Nebraska's 2024 corn production, currently estimated at 1.88 billion bushels, is on track to set a new record high for the state.

Common Bunt Infection in Winter Wheat

Wed, 08/14/2024 - 10:06
Black dust from common bunt rises behind a combine during winter wheat harvest. (Photo by John Thomas) Common bunt in winter wheat can be avoided by using certified seed, treating seeds with fungicide, and practicing crop rotation and field sanitation. These strategies are crucial to avoid infection and maintain healthy, productive wheat crops.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Recommendations for Storing Quality Silage

Wed, 08/14/2024 - 09:21
Certain silage inoculants can significantly improve the aerobic stability of silage by reducing spoilage when it's re-exposed to air, making them especially useful for large silage piles or bunkers that are difficult to keep fresh. Extension educators highlight the importance of using the right inoculants and storage methods for corn silage to improve fermentation, reduce spoilage and maintain feed quality.

Crop Progress: Crop Conditions Favorable as Mid-August Approaches

Tue, 08/13/2024 - 18:20
Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA. Most Nebraska crops remain in good to excellent condition, with progress in their growth stages ahead of or near the average for this time of year.

Irrigation Season Could Run Longer for Dry Bean Crop

Tue, 08/13/2024 - 15:29
Field corn under pivot irrigation. (Photo by Chabella Guzman) Updates on crop progress, irrigation water deliveries and crop water use for growers in the Panhandle and western Nebraska.