Cropping & Water Systems

 

Population growth puts a greater stress on expanding yields for food, which still encouraging resource stewardship. To help meet this challenge, we share unbiased, research‐based information for a diversified agricultural audience.

Active in all 93 counties and at extension.unl.edu/croppingwater

Cropping & Water Systems

Private Pesticide Applicator Training dates are set for 2024. Cedar County training date will be February 20 in Hartington in the Auditorium Basement at 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm. If you have your Nebraska Department of Agriculture letter please bring it with you to the training along with a photo identification, and $60 training fee. This letter will have a barcode that is needed for recertification. If you are unable to attend an in-person training you can participate in an online via Zoom. Read more for more information and options for private pesticide certification/recertification trainings.
It seems like every year there is a new or emerging insect pest in northeast Nebraska. This year that insect is the soybean stem borer, sometimes called the Dectes stem borer. Its main hosts are cultivated sunflower, soybean, giant ragweed, and cocklebur. The soybean stem borer is still at low levels in most of northeast Nebraska, but bears watching. Additional information on scouting and management for soybean stem borer can be found in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension CropWatch Newsletter at https://cropwatch.unl.edu/.
Anyone wishing to apply fertilizer or pesticides to land or crops in or with water through an on-farm irrigation system must obtain a chemigation applicator certificate. Cedar County will host a face-to-face Chemigation Training on Tuesday, March 7, at 9:00 am at the Hartington City Auditorium Basement.

By Mitiku Mamo, Extension Educator, Cedar, Dixon, Knox, and Wayne Counties

Due to Covid-19 Pandemic, there is a concern that Dairy Farmers may not be able to ship milk to processors. Consequently, in the event they find themselves in this situation, some local farmers have been making inquiries on agronomic rate of land applying milk as a fertilizer. Milk is an organic and the same principals used to manage manure can be used to manage milk when land applying it.

Nebraska Extension is your trusted source for flood-related information. Visit https://flood.unl.edu as a resource for information in coping with a flood disaster for families, homeowners, businesses & communities, and agriculture. Also, Haskell Ag Lab near Concord is serving as a collection location for Hay donations and fencing materials for livestock owners impacted by the flooding.
As the flood waters recede and we are able to get back in to our farms and ranchers it is important to think about drinking water safety. It is common for private wells to be immersed with the flood waters. The flood waters commonly contain high levels of bacteria such as fecal coliforms and E. coli. These microbes can cause short-term health effects such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms. Until your well water has tested negative for bacteria, it is recommend to boil your water at a vigorous boil for 1 minute prior to use.