Each spring there is potential for challenges in getting herbicides applied in a timely matter for good weed control. This year is no exception with the extremely windy conditions we have experienced this spring. With good soil moisture, weeds will take off if they have not been treated yet.
Local Interest
While soybean prices and yields have generally been excellent last year, we still have many challenges to be aware of in the region.
It seems each year we learn of potentially new corn pests or diseases we need to be aware of. Well, 2022 is no different. In October of 2021, the corn disease “Tar Spot” was positively confirmed in seven Nebraska counties, including Richardson County, in extreme southeast Nebraska. They believe it may have even been in corn fields in southeast Nebraska in 2020. While the late discover of tar spot did not impact yields in 2021, it has been shown to have a significant impact on crop yields in other states where they had a high infestation of this disease. The disease first showed up in some Midwestern states in 2015, and since then has been moving west.
While the winter of 2021-2022 was very dry, we have received some rain and warmer temperatures, so weeds are beginning to grow. If fields weren’t sprayed last fall for control of winter annuals, these weeds are the first to begin growing. Keep an eye out for weeds beginning to grow in your crop fields. Weed control is always important in the spring, especially where there were previous issues with marestail or other winter annuals. With the dry fall cover crops that were planted had limited growth and some fields had less than ideal stands. Cover crops, especially cereal rye has been an excellent strategy for suppression of marestail. It is important to control marestail early in the spring, prior to the plant bolting (shooting a stem).
March 21st – March 25th was Severe Weather Awareness Week. We can never be surprised at the weather we may have in Nebraska at any time. Last December 15th, we had 28 tornadoes in Nebraska. This was the most tornadoes Nebraska had in one day in 2021 and the most December tornadoes in Nebraska in a single year. There were 44 tornadoes in 2021, which is 7 below the 30 year average of 51.
This year Nebraska Extension in Nemaha County will be in its sixth year in southeast Nebraska with a pheromone trapping network to monitor black cutworm, variegated cutworm and true armyworm moths in southeast Nebraska. This is a local network of traps in southeast Nebraska during the 2021 planting season.
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Estimated Crop Water Use
May 16, 2022
The estimated crop water use for Nebraska Panhandle crops for the previous week and the upcoming week is shown in this table. It is based on data gathered by and calculations made by Gary Stone, Nebraska Extension educator, and Dr. Xin Qiao, Extension Irrigation and Water Management Specialist, both based at the UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff.
Agsplosion brings agriculture to local students
May 16, 2022
More than 700 elementary students from western Nebraska got a hands-on education recently about Nebraska agriculture during the Agsplosion event that was held in 5 different locations in the Panhandle.
Master Gardener tips for the Panhandle – Week of May 16, 2022
May 15, 2022
Are you looking for agricultural information that you can trust? Look no further than University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension publications!
Two Record Keeping Workshops Offered in Rushville
May 10, 2022
Lincoln, Neb. —Keeping your records up to date on the farm or ranch is important but can be a complicated task. Nebraska Extension is offering two workshops in Rushville at the Sheridan County Extension Office (800 S Loofborrow Street) on May 23. These workshops will help you develop an easier process in keeping records by using tools, resources and tips taught during the sessions.