February 4, 2013

The 2013 Wilber Crop Clinic will cover a range of topics including groundwater issues for southeast Nebraska crop producers. The event will begin with registration, viewing of sponsor exhibits, and coffee and rolls at 8:30 a.m. with the program starting at 9 a.m. on Friday, February 8. It will be held at Sokol Hall, 317 South Wilson Street, Wilber.

"Speakers from UNL Extension will cover cutting edge agronomic and management topics,” said Randy Pryor, Extension Educator in Saline County and program host.

Speakers include:

• Charles Shapiro, UNL soil scientist, will share new information about targeting soil test levels for corn phosphorous recommendations. Pryor said phosphorous levels have lowered in many fields due to higher yields over time and inadequate phosphorous applications. Growers need to look at the input price and potential benefit of phosphorous applications.
   
• Jesse Korus and Dana Divine, UNL geologists, will give an update on Nebraska groundwater issues and aquifer delineation information in Saline and southern Lancaster counties. The results of the pilot study in the Firth/Hickman area led to another groundwater study area east of Crete to Sprague and north of Hallam.
   
• Personnel from the Lower Big Blue NRD will discuss groundwater level surveys and cost share programs.
   
• Al Dutcher, UNL climatologist, will review the current weather pattern, potential impacts this spring, and the long-term forecast for the 2013 crop.
   
• Joe Luck, UNL precision agriculture engineer, will give a timely update on precision ag technologies that are showing promise for producers.
   
• Lowell Sandell, UNL Extension educator in weed science, will discuss plans on how to prevent glyphosate resistant weeds including emerging issues with ragweed and waterhemp in southeast Nebraska.

Twenty-five sponsors are supporting the Crop Clinic. CCA credits are available. For more information, go to the UNL Extension website for Saline County. For commercial booth space or sponsorship, contact Lou Hajek at the UNL Extension office in Saline County at 402-821-2151. Free registration is at the door.