Research demonstrates that investing in nozzle replacement will not only mitigate potential losses but also provide an opportunity for substantial profit.
For optimal crop production, it's crucial that a center pivot distributes water uniformly across the field. In this UNL project, researchers studied the impacts of center pivot maintenance in a low-yielding Nebraska field.
Determining early-season soybean stand count is critical for informed decisions on potential replanting. This study explores the application and accuracy rate of drone technology for stand count assessments.
Extension Events
Hosted at the Stumpf International Wheat Center in Grant, Nebraska, the Drones in Ag Workshop will include continuing education credits for certified crop advisors.
The workshop will feature presentations on drone use in agriculture, licensing requirements and regulations, aviation safety, imaging and spraying, and demos, including the opportunity for attendees to fly a small drone.
The annual Crop Production Clinics are customized to address topics specific to the diverse growing areas across Nebraska, allowing attendees to engage with research-based information on the issues that may be faced locally.
The 2024 Crop Production Clinics will provide Nebraska producers with research and training on management of soil fertility, water and irrigation, insect pests, plant diseases, weeds, cropping systems, and agribusiness concerns.
During the two-day school in February, leading experts from the University of Nebraska will present research-based recommendations of primary crop nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
Participants of this Returning to the Farm workshop will benefit from two additional virtual training sessions, scheduled for Jan. 11 and Feb. 8. See details below.
The two-day workshop will assist families and agricultural operations with developing financial plans and successful working arrangements to meet their unique needs.
Millet field near Sidney, Nebraska. (Photo by Chabella Guzman)
Hosted in Scottsbluff, this workshop will cover current Nebraska cash rental rates and land values, crop-share arrangements, terminating verbal leases, and other contract considerations.
The Corporate Transparency Act will require most U.S. corporations and limited liability companies to file basic information regarding the officers and major owners of the business, in an effort to prevent money laundering and similar criminal activities.
Webinar participants will learn more about the act, why it was adopted and what information will need to be filed in 2024 for farm and ranch businesses.
Forage Production
Producers should be mindful of their hay feeding practices to reduce financial loss — with no restrictions, cattle can waste nearly 45% of fed hay.
Extension educators share insights on how to reduce fed hay losses and the differences between relative feed value and relative forage quality when testing grass hay.
A prescribed burn continues to be the most economical approach to controlling Eastern red cedar trees. (Photo by Troy Walz)
It's critical to properly store your leftover pesticides during the winter to retain effectiveness, and checking the label is the first step. Watch this N Field for more pesticide considerations as the temperatures drop.
Dr. Dannele Peck, USDA Northern Plains Climate Hub, talks about the Grass-Cast model's development and how growers can use it to make decisions on forage production in the upcoming season.
Farm Management
Though the farm finance and ag law clinics are offered monthly at sites across Nebraska, remote sessions are another option — call the number below to arrange a one-on-one meeting via phone or virtual platform.
The final farm finance and ag law clinic for 2023 will be hosted in Norfolk on Dec. 15.
For more webinars on farm and ranch management, profitability, economics and farm survival for producers and ag industry professionals, visit the Center for Agricultural Profitability website.
This webinar reviews 2023 tax considerations for ag producers, including crop insurance, deferral options for livestock sales, potential law changes and more.
A mild fall and favorable planting conditions set the scene for good winter wheat emergence in the Panhandle, but weather prospects from the latest winter forecast could complicate the crop's long-term outlook.
In addition to the U.S. territory ag census data collection, two ag census special studies that will provide more in-depth information on certain industries will be conducted this fall and winter: the 2023 Census of Aquaculture and the 2023 Irrigation and Water Management Survey.
With harvest complete in Nebraska, USDA NASS crop progress reports will transition to a monthly publication schedule until the 2024 growing season begins in April.
Historical crop production reports for Nebraska are available at USDA.
Results of the survey will be published Jan. 12, 2024 in the Crop Production Annual Summary and the quarterly Grain Stocks report on USDA NASS's site.
Irrigators can complete the 2023 Irrigation and Water Management Survey online or via paper questionnaires, which will be mailed in January. All surveys are due by Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.
Producer input through the survey will aid USDA’s efforts to promote efficient irrigation practices and long-term sustainability of water resources across the United States.
Historical farm labor data for Nebraska is available at USDA.
The number of workers hired directly by farm operators on farms and ranches in the Northern Plains is down slightly from 2022, and wages are up across the board.
In Case You Missed It...
A section of field from a 99-acre plot in southwest Nebraska, which has experienced significant yield decline after terraces were built. In this article, Soil Health Exchange professionals identify some of the potential causes and solutions for low-yielding terraced fields. (Submitted photo)
The Soil Health Exchange team shares insights and potential solutions for a southwest Nebraska farmer who has observed a significant yield decline in a field after terraces were built in 2010.
Although field operation costs are projected higher for 2024, some material input costs are lower than were projected for 2023, due in part to fertilizer prices and continued improvement of application practices. (Center for Ag Profitability photo)
