Latest Updates from cropwatch.unl.edu

Anytime corn is cooled in a bin, there will be a minor reduction in moisture; however, the temperature of the corn will change many times faster than any moisture content change. With a higher prevalence of low moisture corn this harvest season due to drought, Nebraska Extension shares recommendations on how to avoid additional moisture loss while cooling the grain.

If yucca covers too much rangeland to effectively control with herbicides, winter grazing can reduce its impact without compromising your grasses. Extension educators explain why winter grazing can be an effective tool to reduce yucca stands in rangeland and how to plan late fall irrigation in winter annual crops.

Grazing is a great way to make use of corn residue rather than baling as it leaves the ground with more cover, does not result in compaction and returns most of the nutrients to the land. A straightforward interactive tool, the Crop Residue Exchange helps facilitate a mutually beneficial partnership between producers with available crop residues or forages and those who need winter feed resources for their livestock. Due to ongoing extreme drought conditions, grazing needs are substantial this year.

Using plant-derived pheromones, the researchers were successfully able to lure diamondback moths in cabbage crops and disrupt mating of cotton bollworm moths in common bean fields.

Though the weather allowed for robust harvest efforts last week, eastern Nebraska may experience interruptions early next week due to a precipitation event anticipated to begin around Oct. 23.

Dry bean harvest in the Nebraska Panhandle using a conventional combine. (Photo by Gary Stone) So far this harvest season, dry beans are yielding 39 bushels per acre, a slight decrease from previous years.

The Inflation Reduction Act includes a total $3.1 billion in assistance for distressed farm loan borrowers whose operations face financial risk.

Husker faculty members are leading a project to create a national framework for ag data. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing) UNL faculty members are at the forefront of a nationwide initiative to create an ag data framework that will be accessible, secure and supported through compatible software platforms across the ag tech industry.

The net worth requirement for beginning farmer applicants is now up to $250,000. Deadline to apply for the 2022 income tax credit or personal property tax exemption is Nov. 1.

Extension Educator Ben Beckman discusses the pros and cons of grazing and baling corn residue, and how to best capture nutrients from grazing standing corn.

As of Oct. 16, corn and soybean harvest was well ahead of average pace, and winter wheat planting was at 94% complete.

The workshop will offer tools and strategies to effectively complete estate plans, offer background on common mistakes during the process, and highlight essential considerations for creating and carrying out estate and succession plans.

If sorghum is at hard dough stage when temperatures dip to 28°F for a period of two hours, it may result in a yield reduction of around 20%. UNL experts weigh in on the potential impacts for replant crops that experienced freezing temperatures Oct. 8 or may be at risk for a freeze this weekend.

Though predictions of precipitation next week remain uncertain, producers are encouraged to remain vigilant, as it is now the time of year where significant early snowstorm activity normally begins to develop in the U.S.

University and industry speakers will address current weed science issues and recommendations for improving herbicide applications for management of herbicide-resistant weeds.

All crops except sorghum experienced a slight improvement in condition last week, and harvested corn and soybeans are 12% ahead of average.

While most crops continue to lag behind last year's production numbers, sunflower production is up 134% in Nebraska.

Tar spot has spread to several new counties in Nebraska so far this fall. Producers who scout potential tar spot in their fields are urged to contact Nebraska Extension and send samples free of charge to the UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic for evaluation to track its progress.

Monte Murkle observes field data collected by NinjaAg software on his Nebraska farm. Murkle participated in a Nebraska On-Farm Research study to determine whether the sensor-based precision ag platform can assist him with nitrogen management decisions for winter wheat. Results of Nebraska farmer Monte Murkle's on-farm research study to determine whether the NinjaAg software platform can improve upon his nitrogen management decisions for winter wheat.

This year's conference will highlight education and discussion on cultural, agricultural and research-focused aspects of the river basin with featured speakers from Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming, and includes virtual options for viewing.