Latest Updates from cropwatch.unl.edu

The Nebraska Sprayer Drone Conference will feature presentations by several industry experts, who will discuss how to get started using sprayer drones, legal requirements for using drones with ag chemicals, and how to operate drones in manned aircraft airspace. This one-day event will provide participants an opportunity to interact with fellow sprayer drone enthusiasts and learn the necessary steps to enter the sprayer drone arena.

Temperatures this summer are expected to be seasonally warm and total precipitation is expected to be average to below average statewide, according to the CPC.

The 2024 Farm Real Estate Survey reports market values on the seven types of land by region across Nebraska, as well all-land average values for the entire state. (CAP image) The market value of agricultural land in Nebraska increased by 5% over the prior year — the third consecutive year of ag land value increases for the state.

Nebraska Extension Educator Laura Thompson share insights on how UNL's new nitrogen tool will help farmers determine fertilizer needs for their operation and find more success in their overall farm management goals.

In this episode, the FarmBits crew continues its soil health conversation with Caro Córdova, discussing the soil microbiome and ways for producers to learn more about soil science and health.

The Nebraska Soil Health School at UNL’s High Plains Ag Lab will include soil health demonstrations and the live rainfall simulator from USDA NRCS soil scientists. (Photo by Nicole Heldt) The first Nebraska Soil Health School of 2024 will feature presentations on the impact of tillage, biochar and cover crops, soil health measurement and carbon markets, and more.

Although the immediate aftermath of a fast-moving fire can look quite devastating, perennial pasture grasses are resilient and will recover, especially since they are still dormant. Grazing management recommendations for producers affected by wildfire in central Nebraska in late February and considerations for establishing new alfalfa stands this spring.

While most areas in Nebraska have received good snowfall or rain this winter, there is always some uncertainty for spring and summer precipitation. So, the key first step in devising a successful spring and summer grazing and forage strategy is to develop or adjust a good drought plan for your operation. Extension educators share growth impacts of fall dormancy in alfalfa and recommendations for building your spring and summer grazing and forage plans.

With recent warm weather, army cutworms have been spotted in southern Sioux County and central Lincoln County. Producers should begin scouting for this pest to mitigate crop damage, particularly in winter wheat and alfalfa.

The 2024 Weed Management Field Day will feature on-site demonstrations of new technology and herbicides for corn, soybean and sorghum. This year's Weed Management Field Day will feature in-person tours and field experiments to give attendees a closer look at new herbicides and technologies.

In this episode, the FarmBits team chats with Caro Córdova about emerging soil health technologies and resources for producers in Nebraska.

Resources are available for people who want to help producers affected by fires, and the affected producers. A meeting March 12 will provide more information. (UNL Beef photo by David Orr) Central Nebraska producers seeking help with wildfire recovery are encouraged to attend to an informational meeting on March 12 in North Platte.

Chances are increasing for precipitation late next week, with potential for snow in western Nebraska and significant moisture in the eastern region.

A farmer walks a weedy sugarbeet field at a weed tour in June at the UNL Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff. (Photo by Chabella Guzman) Academics, industry leaders, and impacted stakeholders will discuss Palmer amaranth's current and anticipated impacts across the Midwest during this free, live-streamed event.

Hosted by Science for Success, a three-part webinar beginning March 8 will provide soybean producers with insights from university faculty and extension specialists across the nation on numerous production challenges. The three-part webinar series in March will discuss soybean production considerations such as planting dates, seed treatments, fertilizer, fungicide, late season dessication and more.

This CAP webinar on farm electricity costs features discussion from F. John Hay, extension educator — energy, UNL Department of Biological Systems Engineering, and Rick Stowell, professor and animal environmental engineer, UNL Department of Animal Science. This webinar explores how farms are charged for electricity and ways to identify and possibly slash costs.

Housing, insurance and vehicles can provide another form of compensation for returning farm or ranch family members. However, it's best for all family members in the operation to get non-monetary compensation in writing before any official employment begins. The first in a series of Center for Agricultural Profitability articles that will highlight ideas and tactics for bringing another family member into the operation.

(From left) James Schnable, Rebecca Roston and Toshihiro Obata hold young sorghum plants outside of the Bioscience Greenhouses on City Campus. The researchers are part of a $1.8 million grant from the National Science Foundation to try to boost the cold tolerance of sorghum, and eventually corn and other crops, by harnessing the power of the plant’s circadian rhythms. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing) Researchers are examining the way sorghum uses fats and chemicals for defense against low temperatures, and comparing it to the cold tolerance characteristics of foxtail millet to find answers.

Nebraska Dry Bean Growers Association President Dan Hinman (left) leads a raffle with help from Lesli Howell, NDBGA office manager/Bean Bag editor. Attendees of the event heard from the Nebraska Department of Ag about ongoing initiatives to expand the dry bean export market, and learned more about the 2024 weather outlook.

Rajib Saha (left), Richard L. and Carol S. McNeel associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, and Niaz Bahar Chowdhury, doctoral student. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing) Scientists involved in the study are investigating the creation of new hybrids and utilizing beneficial fungus to mitigate temperature stress in corn.