Latest Updates from cropwatch.unl.edu

Over the past two years of the study across multiple locations, we found that yield response to applied N rates was evident only in the wet year. In a dry year, grain protein was elevated in an inverse reciprocation to the reduced grain yield. These findings suggest for the need to be able to manage and adjust N according to weather, particularly to spring moisture. There were benefits of applying N in spring or split over fall application, but the effect was not consistent across sites and years. There is much to do before crop sensors can be used in winter wheat N management in the state, but we have encouraging results suggesting their potential use.

The following diseases and pests were reported in samples submitted to the UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic from August 16 through September 2, 2020.

Are you seeing ears drooping over earlier? What should you expect come harvest time?

As many farmers are getting ready to begin harvest, those who grow winter wheat are preparing to plant. There are many reasons why growers have been planting winter wheat in eastern Nebraska.

Extension Educator Stephen Baenziger looks back on his 34 years of working with wheat varieties in Nebraska.

Winter wheat planting will soon be upon us in east and south central Nebraska as soybean harvest is not far off this year.

Including winter wheat in the cropping system does not appear to be a profitable decision when one only examines the production costs and expected returns. Generally, there are additional production and economic benefits that should be considered. First, we will review the cost of production and then discuss other potential benefits of including winter wheat in the cropping system.

The importance of estimating soybean yield prior to harvesting as forage is illustrated in this photo of drought-stressed soybean from Washington County, NE. With a closer look at these plants, you can see 10 to 12 pods per stem with 3 seeds per pod on a few of the plants. These soybeans are not stressed enough to consider for hay or silage. Photo courtesy of Aaron Nygren, Nebraska Extension. For some producers, the time has come to determine if soybean will be cut for forage or left for grain-this is not an easy decision. In some areas, soybean plants are still hanging on despite the continued heat and lack of moisture.

Fungicide seed treatments help to reduce losses caused by seed transmitted and soilborne fungal diseases of wheat. Some systemic seed treatment products contain a fungicide and an insecticide and offer additional protection against fall season foliar diseases and insects such as aphids which also transmit barley yellow dwarf virus.

Are you interested in how agriculture technologies can improve nitrogen management on your farm? Nebraska Extension received a $1.2 million On-Farm Conservation Innovation grant from USDA – Natural Resource Conservation Service which connects corn and wheat producers across Nebraska with access to cutting-edge technologies through on-farm research.

A few more growers and wheat acres in Nebraska became familiar with wheat stem sawfly damage during this past growing season.

Corn condition is rated 66% good to excellent, down from 73% the previous week, with 96% dough and 60% dented. Soybean condition is rated 71% good to excellent, down from 76% the previous week, with 98% setting pods and 5% dropping leaves.

Extension educators report on what they are seeing in the fields this week in the panhandle, Platte, Boone, Nance, Phelps, Harlan, Furnas, Gosper, Adams, Kearney and Webster counties.

Can planting cover crops in corn systems provide the dual benefits of improving soil health and be an economical source of forage? This webinar will cover lessons learned on incorporating cover crops after corn silage, high moisture corn, and dry corn harvest in Nebraska. The session will consist of short presentations with ample time for questions and discussion.

Rye in continuous corn April 19, 2018 at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Education Center near Mead. With growing interest in cover crops, it is important to understand how cover crops might impact soil fertility for the following cash crop. Nitrogen (N) provided by cover crop biomass may be used in the short-term by the following crop, and in the long-term through improving soil N content and reducing fertilizer input costs.