Latest Updates from cropwatch.unl.edu

The forecast for July includes chances of precipitation across the state beginning this weekend, followed by a return to temperatures in the 90s and 100s until mid-July.

Farm and Ranch Management Analyst Glennis McClure discusses how custom operators can input data from the 2022 Nebraska Custom Rates Report into the Agricultural Budget Calculator to figure charges that will be competitive in the marketplace.

Figure 1. Thermal infrared sensors mounted on the center pivot irrigation system for monitoring canopy temperature. Results of a research project on optimizing irrigation methods by utilizing thermal and multispectral center pivot sensors to gather crop data.

An important, yet often overlooked, way to determine when to cut grass hay is what quality of hay is needed on the operation. Extension educators discuss some often overlooked factors for determining a grass hay cut date, and share recommendations on timing irrigation for more effective control of bluegrass in alfalfa.

Winter wheat harvest in Nebraska has begun, with 66% of the crop reported to be in fair to excellent condition.

A Flame Weeding Workshop will be held Aug. 17 at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center. Attendees will learn how to do proper flaming to control over 10 major Midwestern weeds in seven agronomic crops — field corn, sweet corn, popcorn, soybean, sorghum, sunflower and wheat.

Producers in numerous Nebraska counties will be eligible for emergency credit to recover from intense drought during the growing season.

Brad Ramsdale, professor of agronomy at the Nebraska College for Technical Agriculture, discusses plant and weed identification with a group of youth at a previous Youth Agronomy Field Day. (Photo by Kathy Burr) Nebraska youth will spend the day immersed in activities to learn more about weed identification, plant growth stages, insect management, using ag tech for irrigation management, and more.

Photo by Jenny Rees Nebraska Extension Educator Jenny Rees shares the latest on hail damage recovery, replant options and other concerns to address while waiting for crop insurance adjusters and fields to dry. 

Figure 1. A wheat field day at the Henry J. Stumpf International Wheat Center near Grant in Perkins County on June 21.

The current forecast indicates multiple chances for widespread precipitation in western Nebraska during the first part of July, which may slow drought expansion and intensification.

USDA/Flickr USDA NRCS has funding available for Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers to develop Conservation Planning Activities, which help identify and find solutions for specific natural resource concerns on a farm or ranch operation.

Hail-damaged corn field in Nebraska. (Photo by Jenny Rees) Experts in agronomy and agricultural economics from Nebraska Extension's Hail Know team cover options for dealing with damaged commodities from a production perspective and discuss the role of crop insurance.

As of June 19, planting season was nearing the end, with sorghum at 95% and dry edible beans at 87%.

Nebraska growers should begin scouting for potato leafhoppers and spotted alfalfa, as these pests have been spotted in alfalfa fields in Gage County and Scottsbluff, respectively.

Estimated crop water use for Nebraska Panhandle crops for the week of June 20.