Latest Updates from cropwatch.unl.edu

Figure 1. Soybean pods collected from stage R7 plants (one mature pod per plant) that were opened to determine if the pod wall interior membrane was still clinging tightly to the seeds (leftmost pod), or if it was beginning to detach from the seeds (second pod), or if the membrane was now permanently attached to the pod wall (third pod). After attaining physiological maturity, seeds undergo a dry-down period from about 60% moisture to about 13% moisture. Note that the Rx.x numbers used here are pod-based stages, not plant-based stages. The timing of the ending R stages in soybean is governed by planting date (PD) and varietal maturity group (MG), though the date of R7 can be hastened if water stress and high temperatures prevail in August — something we are seeing in portions of Nebraska this year.

Hosted by Samantha Teten and Jackson Stansell — graduate students in UNL's Department of Biological Systems Engineering and Nebraska Extension Digital Agriculture team members — FarmBits Podcast is a weekly series highlighting new innovations and trends in digital agriculture through interviews with academic experts, farmers and industry specialists.

Top: Combining weedy dry beans. Bottom left: Palmer amaranth in dry beans. (Photo by Gary Stone). Bottom right: Combine cleanout. (Photo by Meaghan Anderson)

The average round bale may lose up to one-fourth of its original nutrients during outside storage, but these losses can be reduced to less than 10% or so with the right row orientation and adequate ground surface drainage.

In line with previous forecasts in mid-July and early August, there is no indication that this is going to be a record — and not even an above average — year for national corn yield considering that yield is forecasted to be near or below average for the five main corn-producing states.

Fall armyworm. Photo by Nathan Mueller

After a virtual event in 2020, the 2021 Husker Harvest Days will be in-person, featuring a program by Nebraska Extension educators and specialists that will share research on a wide array of agriculture topics.

The Crop Residue Exchange continues to connect livestock producers with crop residue and other forage resources.

University of Nebraska research has determined that when corn residue is grazed at proper stocking rates, there are small, but positive effects on crop production the following year. Grazing corn residue is a low-cost winter feed for cattle and source of additional income with no negative effects on cropland.

Hosted by Samantha Teten and Jackson Stansell — graduate students in UNL's Department of Biological Systems Engineering and Nebraska Extension Digital Agriculture team members — FarmBits Podcast is a weekly series highlighting new innovations and trends in digital agriculture through interviews with academic experts, farmers and industry specialists.