UNL Extension Reports from the Field

UNL Extension Reports from the Field

 Combine corn planting in Antelope County

Corn planting in extreme southwest Antelope County. The producer was using RTK with this 24-row planter set for a population of 34,000 seeds per acre. (Photo by Rod WIlke)

Tuesday, April 22, 2014
 

Allen Dutcher, State Climatologist: Look for two major storm systems in Nebraska over the next seven days, the first moving through late Tuesday to early Thursday morning and the second, late Saturday and Sunday. The first is likely to bring 0.75-1.25 inches of rain to eastern Nebraska with areas in east central and southeast Nebraska expected to get 2 inches.  A second system will move in late Saturday and Sunday, bringing colder air (highs in the mid 50s) and potential for another 0.75-1.25 of precipitation in south central and southeast Nebraska. North central Nebraska could see some snow. From April 29 to May 3 it's expected to be very dry.  Soil temperatures in northern Nebraska are at 48-51 F°and in southern Nebraska, 50-55°F.

Charles Burr, Extension Educator, WCREC, North Platte: We're starting to plant research plots at the West Central REC and at the Brule Water Center.

Tyler Williams, Extension Educator in Phelps County: Planters are moving southwest of Holdrege. We have pretty good moisture with the snow-rain that moved through last weekend and another 0.25 inch Sunday.  If we have a dry Wednesday and Thursday, planting will really start kicking into gear.

John Thomas, Extension Educator in Box Butte County: Field peas are in the ground and some are up. It's a good winter wheat crop, although condition is quite variable, from pretty poor to excellent.  Sugar beet planting is 50-60% complete and potato planting is underway.  We've had small moisture events, but could use more moisture.

Ron Seymour, Extension Educator in Adams County:  We got a spit of rain over the weekend, but conditions are pretty dry here. Last weekend (April 11-13), we did get about 1 inch. This morning's soil temperature was at 55°F. Most people are getting started with planting.

Troy Ingram, Extension Educator in Merrick County: With soil temperatures at 50-52°F, a few planters have started moving. Fertilizer and pre-emergent herbicides are being applied. We got a trace to 0.25 inch of precipitation over the weekend.
Michael Rethwisch, Extension Educator in Butler County:  Fertilizer is being applied and a few planters are out. Wheat stands are solid and alfalfa is good, with a few problems in low or irrigated fields. Dryland alfalfa is looking better so far this year and may've been better equipped to withstand the dry winter.  Last week's snow did nip some of the smooth brome pasture and we lost two to three inches of growth, but pastures are mostly in good shape.

Keith Glewen, Extension Educator in Saunders County:  We didn't get much precipitation with the recent storm — just trace to 0.25 — and planting is starting. By Wednesday (4/23), 5% of our corn will be planted. A couple growers in the county have already planted their soybeans early.

John Wilson, Extension Educator in Burt County: We didn't get much out of earlier rains and over the weekend got just 0.1 to 0.5 inch of rain. Planters are moving "fast and furious" this week and probably 5% of the corn has been planted. Most alfalfa came through the winter in pretty good condition. A couple north-facing slopes may have suffered some damage.

Allen Vyhnalek, Extension Educator in Platte County: Plenty of planters moving in Platte County. There had been some concern, but I haven't seen any winterkill damage to the alfalfa. Last weekend (4/11-4/13) we got several inches of snow, but little or no rain last weekend. Where they didn't till, growers have plenty of moisture.

Keith Jarvi, Extension Educator in Dakota, Dixon, and Thurston Counties:  Most fertilizer applications and any tillage are done.  Significant river bottom acres have been planted.  In surveying  alfalfa fields, I would have said some were almost dead, but with 0.10 inch of rain, they're looking good. Conditions here are very dry. There will be a lot more planting today and tomorrow.

Monte Vandeveer, Extension Educator in Otoe County:  Corn planting has started, and we are at most 10% done.  Seems like slow progress for the number of days most producers could have been in the fields.  Precipitation was very spotty from the Sunday rain.  The western and eastern edges of the county got some moisture — perhaps up to ½ inch — but much of central part of county just got sprinkles and not enough to stop planting in those areas.  We're not seeing as many weeds (henbit, etc.) in the fields as we did last year.

Karen DeBoer, Extension Educator in Cheyenne County: Wheat leaves turned brown from the freezing temperatures early last week. The wheat is expected to recover since it was not jointed at the time of the cold temperatures. Subsurface moisture is good in most areas due to rain last fall and winter precipitation, but surface moisture is needed. Late planted wheat had little growth in some instances and those fields with poor stands have been turned under.

Harvest of the 2013 proso millet crop is nearing an end thanks to last week's warm, dry weather. Field preparation for summer crops and tilling summer fallow, as well as spraying weeds in wheat, are the major dryland field activities completed in the past week.

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