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Crop Watch features winter meetings
Dryland corn or sorghum — Fall precipitation improves Nebraska moisture outlook, Innovative Uses of Soybean contest open Winter wheat disease problems appear minimal
Plant & Pest Clinic update
Drought a major factor in WCREC irrigated New IANR distance education Web site
New edition of conservation tillage manual released
Winter Extension meetings offer updates, Crop Protection Clinics
Agronomy Highlights:
Land use in transition
Pesticide Applicator Training
Workshops feature bio and GIS technologies
Marketing meeting options
Alert: date change
Chemigation Applicator Training
This issue of Crop Watch, the final one for 2000, features information on a number of educational workshops and meetings available this winter and spring for Nebraska agricultural producers and agribusiness.
The Oct. 27 issue also listed upcoming meetings on marketing and risk management, corn/soybean production and other topics. These events provide an opportunity to update your knowledge in particular areas or to delve deeper into developing technologies. CCA/CEU credits are available for most of the meetings and college credit is available for some of them. Please be sure to check with your local Cooperative Extension office for more information on any of these.
Crop Watch to be free on the Web in 2001
The web version of Crop Watch will be free next year. The printed version will still be available for those of you with dual subscriptions. To subscribe to the print version, use this order form.
Lisa Jasa
Editor, Crop Watch
When considering last year's drought, many dryland farmers may be asking themselves "Should I plant milo or corn, and how much of each should I plant?". To better address this question, University of Nebraska researchers have conducted side-by-side field trials for the last four years in south central and southeastern Nebraska. Following is a synopsis of these trials and their recommendations.
In 1997 we combined the NU dryland sorghum and corn yield performance test plots in the same Nuckolls County field to provide for better comparison. Similar comparisons were made at two other locations in 1998, 1999 and 2000. In the trials, which were conducted in south central and southeast Nebraska, the two crops were compared in the same field, using cultural and management practices appropriate to each. The plots have been in productive soils and the growing conditions have been from fair to excellent.
In 1997, 29 milo hybrids were compared with 38 corn hybrids in Nuckolls County. Both crops were surface planted after disking. The field had been planted to wheat the previous three years. Average corn yields were 81 bu/acre with a range of 61 to 107 bu/acre. This compares to average sorghum yields of 107 bu/acre with a range of 77 to 124 bu/acre.
In 1998, similar comparisons were planted in Otoe and Webster counties. In Otoe County, 60 corn hybrids were planted in the same field with 18 sorghum hybrids. Both crops were planted without tillage into soybean stubble. Average corn yield from this trial was 138 bu/acre. Individual hybrid yields ranged from 117 to 159 bu/acre. This compares to an average 133 bu/acre for sorghum with a 115-158 bu/acre yield range. Cool and wet conditions during plant emergence and early growth and soil compaction slowed development and emergence of both crops and contributed to poor stands. Corn was yellow after emergence due to excess moisture. In Webster County in 1998, 36 corn hybrids were compared to 20 sorghum hybrids. Both crops were no-till planted into wheat stubble. Average corn yield was 131 bu/acre with yields ranging from 107 to 172 bu/acre. This compares to an average yield of 153 bu/acre for sorghum with a range of 125 to 177 bu/acre. Conditions were excellent at this site.
In 1999 the trials were conducted in Nuckolls and Gage counties. The Gage county site had over 40 corn hybrids and 22 sorghum hybrids. The plot was planted into soybean stubble and had excellent growing conditions through late summer when it became fairly dry. Most of the corn plot was lost because of a herbicide problem, however comparing the hybrids that were not damaged and the producer's corn in the rest of the field, the corn yielded about 150 bu/acre. The sorghum averaged 143 bu/acre with yields ranging from 122 to 170 bu/acre. The Nuckolls County site was no-till planted into wheat stubble and contained 33 corn hybrids and 19 sorghum hybrids. The growing conditions were fairly wet early and very dry late in the summer. Average corn yields were 88 bu/acre, ranging from 73 to 110 bu/acre. The sorghum yields averaged 109 bu/acre and ranged from 92 to 121.
The 2000 growing season plots were in Nuckolls and Lancaster counties. The Lancaster County field was hailed and not harvested. In Nuckolls County the plot was no-till planted into wheat stubble with 18 sorghum and 25 corn hybrids. The growing conditions were very dry and hot all summer with some rain and cooler conditions in July and a very hot and dry August-September. The sorghum averaged 125 bu/acre with yields ranging from 113 to 136 bu/acre and the corn averaged 122 bu/acre, ranging from 90 to 149 bu/acre. No-till planting into wheat stubble was the key to these excellent yields. The corn fields on ether side of the plot, which were not in wheat stubble, had yields of less then 20 bu/acre.
When we started this project, we expected that sorghum would outyield corn in dry years, corn would outyield sorghum in wet years, and they would have about the same yields in average years. However, four years of data have shown that in south central Nebraska, sorghum outyielded corn by an average of 18 bu/acre. In southeast Nebraska in two years with excellent yields, the average yields were 6 bu/a higher for corn. The data suggest that corn and sorghum would yield about the same in the 120 to 140 bu/acre range. If your expected yield is less then this, sorghum will usually be the better yielding crop. It also appears hybrid selection is more important with corn then sorghum because of a wider yield range corn.
People expect corn to outyield milo, but when you ask where the crops were raised, the corn was usually planted on the best land (most fertile, best subsoil moisture, and most residue cover) and the sorghum was grown on the poorer land (eroded hill side that has less subsoil moisture, and less residue cover). When both are planted into the same conditions, sorghum appears to outyield corn in south central Nebraska.
Figuring the economics
In addition to yield differences, typically there also are differences in prices and production costs. On the average over the last 10 years, grain sorghum prices in Nebraska have averaged about 25 cents per bushel below the corn price, although the spread in loan rates may be less (as low as 20 cents per bushel) and grain sorghum prices have actually exceeded corn prices this fall in some locations.
Since production costs are lower for sorghum, up to $12 per acre for seed alone, sorghum generally requires less than a 10% yield advantage to net more than corn. For example using ten year average prices, 106 bushel grain sorghum at $2.20 per bushel (106 x $2.20 = $233.20) would be more profitable than 100 bushel corn at $2.45 per bushel at a $12 per acre higher production cost (100 x $2.45 -$12 = $233). If yields are below 40 bushels per acre, corn must yield more than sorghum to be the most profitable alternative at $2.45 corn, $2.20 sorghum and an additional $12 per acre cost of growing corn.
Crop insurance
Crop insurance coverage may be an additional consideration in choosing between corn and grain sorghum, particularly when beginning the year with low subsoil moisture. For farms that have a higher proven yield for dryland corn than grain sorghum, it might appear an insured producer would be better off in case of crop failure to have planted corn than grain sorghum. However, this conclusion is not necessarily correct, since multiperil premiums are generally higher per dollar coverage for corn. Consider the example where for the same cost one could buy 65% coverage on a 110-bushel sorghum yield with a $1.75 per bushel price election or 60% coverage on a 120-bushel corn yield at $1.90 per bushel price election. The corn coverage would generate an indemnity of .60 x 120 x $1.90 = $137 per acre in case of complete crop failure. The sorghum would generate a maximum indemnity of .65 x 110 x $1.75 = $125 per acre. If production costs are $12 per acre less on sorghum, the two are breakeven. Further, if you were to raise some sorghum (but corn would have failed completely) and the market price is above the indemnity price, you would be better off having planted sorghum even though in our example the yield guarantee on the sorghum, .65 x 110 = 71.5 bu, is slightly less than the yield guarantee on the corn, .60 x 120 = 72 bu. Producers are encouraged to ask their insurance agent for the protection available for the some premium and make their own comparison.
Conclusion
We would not discourage anyone from growing dryland corn. Four years of data in six locations is not enough information to make conclusive decisions. There are several good reasons to produce dryland corn including a better herbicide selection, crop rotation benefits, spreading out field work and better maximum yield potential in excellent years; however, sorghum appears to be able to match or outyield corn most years, is cheaper to produce, and is less risky in dry years.
For more information, contact your Cooperative Extension Office or view hybrid test results.
Steve Melvin, Extension Educator
Roger Elmore, Extension Crops Specialist
Lenis Nelson, Extension Crop Hybrid and Seed Production Specialist
Roger Selley, Extension Farm Management Specialist
As producers consider the 2000 drought and select seed for the next season, some are questioning the potential for another drought in 2001. There has been a significant reduction in the intensity of the drought across Nebraska, especially over the western half of the state. The state is not out of the woods yet, but precipitation patterns this fall have resulted in a significant increase in moisture, especially compared to the same period in 1999. The following addresses some of the questions which have been posed about the current status and forecasts for this winter and spring.
How does this fall compare to last fall, as far as dryness, post harvest, and amount of precipitation received?
Precipitation in September and October 2000 has been significantly wetter than in the same period of 1999. All climate districts have shown improvements with the central, south central, and southwest districts showing the greatest improvements. Area weighted precipitation levels in inches for each districts are (first number is for 2000, second number is for 1999): Panhandle (3.46, 2.75), North Central (3.51, 2.44), Northeast (3.51, 0.78), Central (3.31, 0.96), East Central (3.35, 1.38), Southwest (5.45, 1.27), South Central (3.76, 1.10), and Southeast (3.66, 1.54).
The increase in precipitation resulted from an upper air trough situated over the Great Basin region of the Rocky Mountains. A blocking high pressure system over the southeastern United States allowed this trough to continually move surface lows from southwestern United States into the central High Plains from late September through mid November.
Beginning in mid November, this pattern shifted eastward. The upper air trough now is over the northeastern United States. Precipitation patterns this winter will be determined by how long this pattern remains in place. If this pattern holds through winter, the central United States should receive normal to below normal precipitation with normal to slightly above normal temperatures.
However, there is evidence of an active pattern in the Gulf of Alaska. If this continues into winter, strong lows on occasion will move into the Great Basin region and across the central High Plains. This will reinforce the upper air low over the northeastern states. Under this scenario, Nebraska can expect to see periods of benign weather for one to three weeks, followed by stormy weather for one to two weeks. This pattern would favor normal to above normal precipitation and normal to below normal temperatures. This pattern is likely to occur for at least the first half of winter.
What do the seasonal outlooks predict for precipitation in the December-February period?
The Climate Prediction Center's (CPC) long-lead outlooks indicate equal chances of receiving above normal, below normal, or normal precipitation during the time frame. Precipitation during this time ranges from an average of 1.50 inches across extreme western Nebraska to 2.75 inches in extreme southeastern Nebraska. This represents approximately 7% of annual precipitation. In a normal year, less than 50% of the moisture that falls during the December-February period will be captured and stored in soil profiles.
What do the seasonal outlooks predict for precipitation from March to May?
Once again, the long lead models fail to point toward a definable precipitation trend. There are equal chances of receiving above normal, below normal, or normal precipitation from March to May for the entire state of Nebraska. Extreme western Nebraska averages approximately 5.50 inches during the period, while extreme eastern Nebraska averages about 9.00 inches. This represents, on average, 30-35% of annual precipitation.
There is evidence that above normal precipitation from March through mid-April, followed by below normal precipitation and above normal temperatures from mid-April through late May have a positive impact on forage and grain production. If the preferred upper air pattern mentioned earlier remains in place into spring, Nebraska could very well see a wet pattern characterized by outbreaks of severe thunderstorms and strong, wet snowstorms.
Our state's reservoirs and soil profiles were drawn down this summer. What's the likelihood that there will be enough snow pack to recharge our soils and reservoirs?
Soil moisture recharge has been promising during the last 45 days. All soil moisture monitoring sites across the state have experienced net gains. The most dramatic changes have occurred across the southwestern corner of the state with an average net gain of 4 inches. Every location in the monitoring network has experienced a net gain of at least two inches. All gains have been limited to the top 2-3 feet of soil profiles.
The critical question going forward will be whether average temperatures are above or below normal during the period. Both soil and pond/lake evaporation would be minimized by a return to normal temperatures. Water loss from soils can be significant when winter average temperatures remain above normal because they are continually exposed to freeze/thaw conditions. Likewise, below normal temperatures would increase the likelihood that soils freeze and ponds/lakes remain iced over for the majority of the winter months, limiting surface evaporation losses.
Below normal temperatures would increase the likelihood of snow runoff into streams, ponds, and reservoirs. During a normal winter, soils remain frozen from mid-December through late February. Below normal temperatures also increase the probability that some snow will remain on the ground when the normal spring thaw begins.
The critical question for western Nebraska will be how much snow falls on the leeward side of the Rocky Mountains of northern Colorado into southern Wyoming. This area is the source region for the southern and northern branches of the Platte River. This fall has been promising as several large snow storms have already developed. The March-April period will be critical since on average 40% of the mountain snow pack is made during these two months. At this time, a determination on whether above normal precipitation will fall across this region during these critical months can not be made.
Al Dutcher
State Climatologist, Department of Agricultural Meteorology
College students with a great idea for a new soybean product can turn their idea into reality by competing in the Innovative Uses of Soybeans contest.
The Nebraska Soybean Board and the University of Nebraska's Industrial Agricultural Products Center and the are seeking entries from Nebraska college and university students for their jointly sponsored contest.
Winning and runner-up entries identifying creative new ways to use soybeans will receive $3,500 and $2,500 in cash prizes, respectively, and honorable mention entries will earn $250, said Loren Isom, technical assistance coordinator for NU's Industrial Agricultural Products Center. Contest participants will learn how to develop, market and write funding proposals for a product.
"Students might combine their contest entry with a research or marketing project, or make it the basis for an independent study course," Isom said. "It could even give them a great start on a master's thesis."
Previous winners have explored the patent process and received additional funds for market research on their product, Isom said.
The contest gives students a chance to focus on their strengths and interests outside school and to develop a commercial product or idea before they graduate, said Victor Bohuslavsky, the soybean board's executive director.
Entries for the 2001 contest will be accepted from Jan. 1 through May 1, 2001. There is no entry fee. Contestants may work with an advisor or professor, individually or as a team.
Each entry must include: a written report describing the product and how it was developed; projected market impact of the product; and a product sample.
Entries will be evaluated by a team of NU faculty. The Nebraska Soybean Board will present the awards at its July 2001 meeting. For more information, visit the NU Industrial Agricultural Products website at http://agproducts.unl.edu/ or contact Isom at (402) 472-8187 or lisom@unl.edu.
Based on surveys in eastern and south central Nebraska in late October, our winter wheat crop in these areas is looking remarkably good considering the slow start this fall. Fall rains helped with emergence and most stands examined were uniform and the plants surprisingly healthy. We were concerned that the dry conditions at planting might delay emergence along with stressing the plants to the point where crown and root rot could become active earlier than normal. This disease is triggered by prolonged moisture stress coupled with relatively warm soil temperatures in the fall. Fortunately, timely rains and cooler weather reduced the stress potential on the young wheat plants.
There was no evidence of any crown and root rot on plants examined during the October surveys. Colder than normal temperatures and snow cover that have occurred this November will further reduce to the threat of crown and root rot developing this fall. Wheat seedlings going into winter healthy should also be less vulnerable to winterkill this winter and crown and root rot next spring.
Septoria leaf spot was the only disease detected in the recent surveys. Incidence was sporadic, often associated with continuous wheat, and severity was low. Septoria appears as small brown spots or blotches on the leaves.
John E. Watkins
Extension Plant Pathologist
The following diseases were diagnosed Oct 11 — Nov 27: corn — penicillium grain mold (Perkins County), soybean-charcoal rot (Boone and Seward counties) and brown stem rot (Lancaster County).
Jennifer Chaky
Plant & Pest Clinic Director
Weather was partially to blame for the wide variety of results in the University of Nebraska West Central Research and Extension Center (WCREC) irrigated corn.
"If weather conditions cooperated, and a person had ample water and was able to keep up, there were some really outstanding yields; but there were a lot of stresses from dry, hot weather and hail," said Robert Klein, cropping systems specialist at WCREC.
"In some cases, corn was stressed before the ditches for furrow irrigation were dug and water applied," he added.
It was a year of extremes in terms of results. Klein said a plot was lost in Furnas County due to hail damage, but in Dundy County he saw some of the best yields ever with an average yield of 230.7 bushels per acre.
"This [Dundy County plot] was a case where the producer did everything right. He put nitrogen through the pivot a number of times, which really helped this year with all the stress," Klein said.
WCREC harvested test plots in Dundy, Brown (2), Red Willow, Lincoln, Dawson and Custer counties. Similar varieties are tested at each location, but this year’s "popular" varieties chosen by area producers were also included.
"This year we had extension educators ask producers in their area what hybrids they would like to see tested and we included eight of those varieties in the test for that area," Klein said. "In addition, each cooperator was allowed to put in two to three of their own entries to see how they did."
The "popular" varieties were replicated twice in a similar area, such as Dawson and Custer counties. Klein said the average of the "popular" varieties generally did not test as high as the average of the entire plot.
"Corn germplasm is changing so fast, a producer needs to update almost every year. It is very important to select the top hybrids out there," Klein said.
Klein added he would be taking producers at the 2001 Corn and Soybean Expos through an exercise on selecting hybrids. (See Oct. 27 Crop Watch for meeting schedule.)
Information about each plot and the top ten yielding varieties at each is available on the Web at http://www.ianr.unl.edu/ianr/agronomy/corntst Rank was determined by grain value, which represents $2 corn after a drying cost of 3.5 cents per bushel per point of moisture is subtracted. For a complete list of results (including grain value) or for more information on the 2001 Corn and Soybean Expos, contact the local Cooperative Extension office.
A web site describing distance education courses offered by the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources is now available. It covers course offerings and degree descriptions for the Entomology M.S. degree via distance as well as courses through AgLEC and CASNR's new Master of Agriculture program. Learn more about the many opportunities available to pursue a degree or further your education through distance education.
Among the 29 chapters in "Conservation Tillage and Management: Crop Residue Management with No-till, Ridge-till, Mulch-till and Strip-till" are sections devoted to growing with conservation tillage, tillage system definitions, wind and water erosion, crop residue and irrigation water management and water quality. Other chapters discuss residue management at harvest, estimating residue cover, crop response to tillage systems, costs and returns, soil compaction, controlled traffic and converting CRP to crop production. Also included are chapters about nutrient management; weed, insect, rodent, and disease management; and site-specific crop management (precision farming).
The book was prepared under the direction of the Crop Production Committee of MWPS, which is a cooperative regional research and extension organization representing the 12 land-grant universities of the North Central Region of the United States, including UNL. It is available for $25 per copy plus $6 shipping and handling. To order a copy, send a check payable to the University of Nebraska to Extension Publications, Room 105 Ag Comm Bldg, PO Box 830918, Lincoln, NE 68583-0918.
Rick Koelsch
Assistant Professor, Biological Systems Engineering
Cooperative Extension and the NU Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources are hosting a number of meetings and workshops this winter. (Please see the Oct. 27 Crop Watch for additional listings and visit the web site Rural Routes for updates.) For more information on any meeting, please contact your local Cooperative Extension Office.
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The annual series of Cooperative Extension Crop Protection Clinics feature practical, economical and environmentally sound management strategies for insect, plant disease and weed problems in crops. Meetings will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at each site. Registration begins at 8 a.m.
The $20 registration fee includes proceedings, publications, refreshment breaks and a noon meal. Commercial pesticide applicator recertification for the Ag Plant category is available at all locations. Topics will vary some from meeting to meeting to allow speakers to address areas of greatest local interest.
Depending on the local program, topics will include:
Weed science: Weed management and dry weather; harvest aid treatments and perennial weed control; new weapons for the war against winter annual grass weeds; weed control timing in corn and soybeans; Nebraska Soybean and Feed Grain Profitability project; integrated approaches for nightshade control in dry beans (Panhandle only); and pesticide application technology and education.
Entomology: New products for corn rootworm and seedling insect management; new crop insects; transgenic corn hybrids and resistance management (workshop); soybean decision making for defoliating insects, including bean leaf beetle management; corn rootworm insecticide resistance update; and Mexican bean beetle in dry beans (Panhandle only).
Plant pathology: Biology of fungal plant pathogens; Stewart's Wilt, and interrelationships of plant viruses and their vectors.
Meetings will be held at the following locations:
Alex Martin
Extension Weeds Specialist
Dec. 5
As urban areas sprawl into traditionally rural, agricultural areas, land uses are becoming major, sometimes pivotal community issues. These issues are the focus of the University of Nebraska's annual Agronomy and Horticulture Highlights program here Dec. 5.
Under the theme "Land Use in Transition," Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources researchers and specialists will address how changes in land use are affecting the buffer between rural and urban areas. They'll also discuss new uses for and additional income potential from traditional cropland.
The annual event will be from 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lincoln's Cornhusker Hotel and includes lunch for those who registered by Nov. 27. The program will be webcast live and archived on NU Cooperative Extension's web site, Rural Routes, at ruralroutes.unl.edu. Several speakers will address land use planning and the issues and conflicts related to the growing urbanization of rural landscapes.
"Eastern Nebraska and trade centers throughout the state are seeing more and more residences nestled in agricultural areas," said Alex Martin, NU weed scientist and program chair.
Speakers will address the social and human aspects of this change. Extension faculty will discuss their work with Nebraska communities striving to resolve land use issues and develop local land use plans. NU Agronomist Chuck Francis will discuss how IANR is preparing students to deal with these and other social issues related to agriculture and changing land use patterns.
Other speakers will discuss Nebraska's growing potato, dry bean and winter squash industries. They'll also cover new opportunities for earning income from farmland, such as carbon sequestration and growing switchgrass as a biofuel crop.
Poster presentations will update participants and provide IANR research results on a variety of field production and horticulture issues, including fertility, site specific management, soil health, greensnap, analyses of new crop lines and poinsettia production.
Participants previously have received Certified Crop Advisor Continuing Education Units for attending. Credits have been applied for this year.
For more information, contact the NU agronomy and horticulture department at (402) 472-2811.
Private applicators: For information on dates and locations, contact your local Cooperative Extension office. Registration fee includes program and materials.
Commercial and noncommercial applicators
Recertification will be available at a number of meetings:
Recertification training: Feb. 7, Feb. 22, and March 1 at multiple sites across Nebraska. Advance registration and a fee are required. Categories include: ag animal, forest, ornamental and turf, aquatic, right-of-way, structural, fumigation, and wood preservation. It is strongly recommended that a more appropriate category rather than the regulatory/demonstration and research category be obtained or maintained.
Initial Certification training will be held Feb. 8, Feb. 20 and March 6 at multiple sites across Nebraska. Advance registration and a fee are required.
For a brochure and registration form and information on training dates, locations and study materials, call (800) 627-7216 or contact your local Cooperative Extension Office.
The UNL Department of Agronomy and Horticulture is offering distance education workshops this spring in herbicide mode of action, crop genetic engineering and farm-level mapping with GIS/GPS technology.
To request a registration form or to enroll by phone for CEU credit or non-credit (professional development), call IANR's Communication and Information Technology at (800) 755-7565. To enroll in one of these workshops for academic credit, contact Dr. Deana Namuth, distance education lecturer in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture at (402) 472-1549. Students enrolled in UNL degree programs (including Master of Agriculture) may apply for a scholarship to cover partial workshop costs. Please contact the instructor listed with the class for more information. To register for graduate credit, where available, you must be currently admitted to the UNL Graduate College. Admission forms are available on line at http://www.unl.edu/gradstud/Prospective/Admission.html.
A variety of marketing workshops are being offered this winter and spring by Cooperative Extension and the NU Department of Agricultural Economics. For further information on any of these meetings, please contact Deb Rood, program coordinator for the Department of Agricultural Economics, at 800-535-3456 or by Email at drood@unl.edu.
Marketing meetings
Business Plan Workshop
Options Workshop
Marketing Blueprint
Charting Workshop
Women in Ag Marketing Curriculum
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