November 15, 2002
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Insects
Plant disease
Production
Drought
Fall/winter meetings
Management AgNews
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There are, however, new Bt field corn events in development or that will be available soon. I would like to briefly discuss what events are available for 2003, what events have been discontinued, and what events are to become available shortly. Hopefully this will aid in hybrid selection for the 2003 growing season.
First, what is an "event" with respect to Bt corn? An event is the successful insertion of a gene encoding a Bt protein into corn plant DNA. Different events vary in the type of Bt protein produced, the expression of the protein, and the target insect pest. Expression refers to where, how much, and at what plant stages the Bt protein is produced in the corn plant.
In October 2001, EPA finished a review of three Bt field corn events and approved registration of the events through October 15, 2008 (see table, below). These events will be in a variety of corn hybrids and offered through several seed companies. All are very efficacious against European corn borer. Two, Bt-11 and Mon810 (both under the trade name YieldGard), have been around for several years. The Cry1F event (Herculex I), however, is new for 2003 and also is efficacious against fall armyworm and black cutworm. Note that the events "suppress" some other caterpillars. If these other pests are your primary concern, the Bt hybrids may not satisfactorily control them.
Several commercial products have been discontinued. Their registrations have either expired or been cancelled. They include KnockOut and NaturGard (event E-176, Cry1Ab), Bt-Xtra (event DBT-418, Cry1Ac), and StarLink (event CBH-351, Cry9C). Although the EPA has allowed existing stocks of the E-176 products to be used through the 2003 growing season, I do not expect to see much of this seed sold. Bt corn hybrids with E-176 events are efficacious against first generation corn borer, but decrease in efficacy as the plant matures.
The newest Bt corn hybrids on the block, or soon to be on the block, contain a Bt protein (Cry3Bb) that is toxic to corn rootworm. They have no effect on corn borers or any other caterpillars. This event is not currently registered for commercial use, but may be by the beginning of the 2003 growing season. Depending on when it receives registration, growers may be able to take advantage of these hybrids or at least see them on a field level.
Of course, all of these Bt corn hybrids require certain resistance management practices. For more information on resistance management requirements for 2003, see NebFact NF00-425, Resistance Management for European Corn Borer and Bt Transgenic Corn: Refuge Design and Placement. For more information on a host of topics concerning Bt corn and biotechnology, visit the UNL AgBiosafety Webpage at http://agbiosafety.unl.edu/
Tom Hunt
Extension entomologist
Haskell Ag Lab, Northeast REC
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Using NU hybrid trial results
How do you select superior performing hybrids based on variety tests? Use results from the University of Nebraska Variety and Hybrid Trials.
Lenis Nelson, extension crop variety and seed production specialist, suggests a few steps to using the range of information published annually.
This year's results are available on-line at http://varietytest.unl.edu and will be available in print in early December at local county extension offices. Many of the on-line results also are available in an Excel file format. Information categories vary with crop and site.
To use the trial results, identify the site(s) which most represents your field and climate conditions, then:
Options for taxes in drought years
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Farmers are allowed to postpone reporting insurance and disaster payments on crop losses by one year under the U.S. Internal Revenue Service tax code Section 451(d), said Tina Barrett, interim director of the Nebraska Farm Business Association at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Likewise, producers who had to sell their livestock due to lack of pasture or water can postpone reporting that income for as long as two years.
The drought wiped out many dryland crops and forced growers to irrigate more than normal, which sent irrigation costs skyrocketing, Barrett said. With these factors reducing incomes, it may be beneficial for farmers and ranchers to defer paying taxes on a portion of their income. "The major thing most farmers and ranchers will be dealing with this year is the income they received from having to sell their livestock," she said. "To qualify, the producer's county must be declared as a disaster area, which won't be a problem this year because the entire state was declared."
There are two tax options farmers and ranchers can apply to weather-related livestock sales, Barrett said.
One is to defer the income to the next year and not recognize the gain until then. This allows the taxpayer to postpone reporting the income for one year if the taxpayer's principal business is farming or ranching, the taxpayer uses the cash method of accounting and shows that the livestock would normally have been sold in a subsequent year, she said.
"The other allows the farmer or rancher not to report the income, but the proceeds must be used to purchase replacement breeding livestock within two years," Barrett said.
This second option only applies to livestock other than poultry held for any length of time for draft, breeding or dairy. The new livestock must be used for the same purposes as the livestock that was sold. For example, dairy cows must be replaced with dairy cows, she said.
Also, the taxpayer must show that the weather caused the sale of more livestock than would have been sold without the weather-related conditions.
For example, if the farmer normally sells one-fifth of the herd each year, only the sales in excess of one-fifth will qualify for the provision, Barrett said.
Crop insurance payments also can be deferred on crop losses by one year, Barrett said. Generally this rule applies when crops can't be planted or are damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster, such as a drought or flood. Farmers must be able to show that, under normal business practice, the crop would have been sold in the following year. Also, losses due to revenue coverage may not be deferred.
Every farm and ranch operation is different and has varied needs at tax time, Barrett said. For more information on how to make these tax elections and for the best advice, farmers and ranchers need to see their tax practitioner or contact the Nebraska Farm Business Association at (402)472-1399.
The Nebraska Farm Business Association is part of Cooperative Extension in NU's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Sandi Alswager
IANR News
The best fungicide treatment is a commercial treatment either at the seed handling facility prior
to bulk or bag sectioning or at a bulk treatment facility. Treatments applied after this point often
do not result in uniform seed coverage, affecting product performance. (No coverage = No
protection.) Therefore, it is beneficial to have a plan if you want to plant fungicide treated
soybean seed next year. The price for these treatments typically is $2- $3 per unit.
Disease history
Knowing the field's history is a vital part of efficient disease management. If you have fields
with a history of seedling emergence or post-emergence seedling problems, use a seed-applied
fungicide. While these problems don't occur consistently, the field history can indicate how
frequently they occur and suggest how likely they are to reoccur. This critical history data set
should be used when deciding whether the seed should be treated. The most common fungi
involved in seedling diseases in Nebraska are species of Fusarium, Phytophthora, Pythium, and
Rhizoctonia. All four are capable of killing soybean seedlings or at least causing damage
sufficient enough to affect the plant's ability to achieve full yield potential.
Note that fields with a history of Phytophthora should be planted into a resistant variety. Fields
with a long-term history of Phytophthora may require a different resistance gene if you are
noticing Phytophthora-killed plants when you grow resistant varieties. Fields with a history of
Phytophthora also will require additional levels of mefenoxam or metalaxyl fungicide above the
standard rate. See the extension publication, Management of Phytophthora Diseases of Soybean (NF02-518), for further information.
Formulations
Seed treatment fungicides are available in a variety of formulations. Some products are labeled
for commercial use in slurry- and mist-type seed treaters. Other products are labeled for on-farm
application and are commonly referred to as hopper-box or planter-box treatments. With any
seed treatment product, good seed coverage is required for the maximum benefit. The best
treatment is going to be a commercial treatment, which results in uniform seed coverage. This is
particularly true with many of the newer products that have very low use rates (e.g.- 5 oz per 100
lb of seed). That's why you should buy commercially treated seed if you have fields with a history
of seedling disease problems or are considering early planting when soil temperatures are cooler
than optimum.
Many compounds are available to use as seed treatment fungicides. For a list of the many
seed-applied fungicides, active ingredients, and fungi they are effective against see the extension
publication, Seed Treatments Fungicides for Soybeans (NF00-411).
Some seed treatment fungicides are not compatible with Rhizobium inoculants. Always check
the label for compatibility and unless otherwise labeled, if seed is treated with a fungicide, apply
inoculants in-furrow rather than on the seed. Many products require that seed be planted within
four hours of inoculation with liquid based Rhizobium inoculants.
Loren J. Giesler
Wheat streak mosaic virus was also seen in some corn seed production fields. There were also a
handful of corn samples with high plains virus infection. Some cornfields had the foliar phase of
Stewart's Wilt occurring late in the season, although this disease was not seen earlier in the
seedling phase. Very few foliar diseases of corn appeared until rather late in the season.
The weather was just too hot for much of the summer for foliar diseases to occur. Grey leaf spot,
common rust and northern corn leaf spot were some of the foliar diseases that did come into
some fields somewhat late. One disease that was more common than usual this year was
common smut of corn. We see this every year, but the incidence of this disease was higher this
year. The hot, dry weather probably contributed to the higher than usual amount of common
smut. Stalk rot was common in some areas. The stalk rot diseases are more severe in areas
under stress. Another item of concern for many farmers was the level of aflatoxin and other
mycotoxins in their corn as a result of grain mold fungi infecting the corn.
Some problems also were seen in soybeans. Rhizoctonia was fairly common in soybean
seedlings. Sometimes this disease occurred in fields where herbicide carryover may have been
an issue. Phytophthora was found to be a problem in some fields where seedlings or somewhat
older plants were affected. Soybean cyst nematode caused stunting and yellowing of plants in
some fields. Later in the season we saw some of the vascular diseases of soybean including
brown stem rot and charcoal rot.
Viral infections were found in some soybean plants with symptoms including leaf distortion,
stacking of nodes, and a proliferation of pods with aborted seed. Some of the viruses detected
were bean pod mottle virus, tobacco streak virus, soybean mosaic virus, and tobacco ringspot
virus. Plants with a proliferation of pods without seeds were infected with two different viruses
in two separate fields that were tested. There may be more purple seed stain in harvested beans
this season than usual, as conditions were conducive for infection by the fungus that causes this
disease.
Pine wilt nematode continues to be a problem of concern in Scots and Austrian pine windbreaks
and shelterbelts. No pesticides are recommended for control of the nematode or the pine sawyer
beetle that vectors it, so removal and destruction of infested trees is recommended to limit the
spread of this disease. Sphaeropsis tip blight is another disease that can affect both of these
pines.
Following this drought year, producers may want to consider crop rotation since residue may not
break down very well due to dry conditions and pathogens can survive in the residue. Consider
also that herbicides may not break down in dry soils and carry-over of herbicides could be an
issue. With increased residue on fields, proper planting depth of seeds will need to be ensured.
Fungicide seed treatments in soybean fields that have a history of poor emergence may help to
increase the stand.
As always, proper diagnosis of a problem is one of the first steps in solving it. In the Plant and
Pest Diagnostic Clinic we have enjoyed providing diagnostic services to Nebraskans this season
and look forward to helping you next season.
Jennifer Chaky
Management tips
Consider fungicide seed treatments for soybeans
Even though this year was dry over most of Nebraska, we did have our share of seedling disease
problems in soybean in some parts of the state. While nearly all corn seed is treated with a
fungicide, soybean seed is not routinely treated. It has to be ordered treated or arrangements have
to be made to have seed treated with a fungicide after it is purchased. This is due to the loss in
germination if soybean seed is held from one season to the next.
Extension Plant Pathologist
From samples at the Plant & Pest Diagnostic Clinic
Hot plant problems in 2002
One of the major concerns of producers and farmers in Nebraska this growing season was
definitely the heat and drought. In addition to problems associated with environmental stress, we
did see some disease problems in the Plant & Pest Diagnostic Clinic worth noting during the
2002 growing season. Viruses were the most common disease problem observed in wheat. Most
cases were of wheat streak mosaic virus and some fields also had problems with soil-borne wheat
mosaic virus.
PPDC Educator
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"It will take some wet snows and spring rains to recharge soil moisture levels," Hubbard said, adding that it may take several years to recharge some western Nebraska reservoirs.
Long-term precipitation forecasts indicate above normal precipitation for the southern tier of counties this winter and above normal temperatures for the entire state, Hubbard said. (The forecasts do not indicate either above or below normal precipitation trends for the rest of the state.)
In southwest Nebraska and in the Panhandle, irrigation water from several reservoirs was restricted and several NRDs have placed bans on drilling new wells.
UNL agricultural economists estimate that Nebraska's net farm income was down $500 million to $600 million in 2002, approximately 25% below the annual net farm income from 1992-2001. Much of the loss was directly or indirectly due to the drought and reduced yields.
With the exception of 2000, you'd have to go back 19 years to see the state's annual net farm income lower than this year's forecasted level, UNL ag economist Bruce Johnson told a drought seminar in late October.
While the overall loss to the state was significant, the loss to individual farmers and ranchers was highly variable, depending on the type of farm and location, Johnson said. In areas of prolonged drought and water limitations, there's likely to be some downward adjustments to land rents and values with the potential for liquidation of some farming operations and deferred equipment purchases, Johnson said.
Lisa Jasa, CropWatch Editor
The meetings will be hosted at sites across the state in January and feature NU extension
specialists presenting timely information on pest management and crop protection.
A Crop Protection Clinic workshop also will address issues related to the wide adoption of
glyphosate as a management tool, including rotation with RR corn and RR soybean, potential for
species shift/resistance; factors affecting glyphosate performance; and glyphosate additives.
Cultural and environmental causes for the crinkled soybean leaves which were widely reported in
some areas this season also will be addressed.
Other program topics, which will vary with location, may include: new herbicides,
microbiological soil management; IMI wheat, sunflower weed control, proso weed control, low
cost herbicides for sugarbeet; and Brazilian agriculture.
Schedule
Contact the extension educator hosting the meeting you're planning to attend for specific
topics to be included at a specific site.
Schedule
Contact the Extension office hosting a specific workshop concerning whether a registration fee
may be charged to cover meals and seminar materials. The following CCA credits have been
applied for: one for nutrient management, one for soil and water management, and two for crop
management.
"The number and types of agriculture enterprises of this type are tremendous," said Gary Zoubek,
Extension educator in York County and program co-chair. Opportunities range from grape
production for one of Nebraska's new wineries to raising shrubs for the floral trade or hosting
hunting opportunities for in- and out-of-state visitors.
"This conference will provide information on a diverse range of agricultural enterprises available
to farmers and small landowners in Nebraska," Zoubek said.
The workshop will be Jan. 17-18 at the Holiday Inn in York. Participants will be able to visit
with resource providers and producers who have successfully developed value-added ag
enterprises. The registration fee is $50, with an additional $22 for a wine and cheese hour and
all-Nebraska banquet Friday night. A block of rooms is being held until Jan. 3 at the York
Holiday Inn for $55 a night. Send registrations to the York Extension Office, 2345 Nebraska
Avenue, York 68467
Saturday, January 18
Program
"Blending a variety of talents and personalities into one farming or ranching operation takes
planning, communication, and management," said Deb Rood, program coordinator. The
Returning to the Farm program is designed to help families develop these successful working
arrangements.
During the program, participants will:
Program dates are:
Preregistrations are due by Nov. 21. Registrations will be accepted up to the date of the first
weekend if there are openings. Due to the nature of the program, registration is limited to 15
families at each site. Registration is $150 per family, plus $10 per attending family member. The
cost includes materials, refreshments and one meal.
For more information or a registration form, contact Rood at (402) 472-1771 or (800) 535-3456.
Returning to the Farm is sponsored by the NU Department of Agricultural Economics, NU
Cooperative Extension, the Nebraska Pork Producers Association, Nebraska Corn Board,
Nebraska Farm Bureau and Nebraska Cattlemen.
The high tunnels workshop will focus on getting started with the
inexpensive, plastic-covered greenhouses, and profitably using them for
season extension and winter production of horticulture crops. High tunnels
are becoming essential equipment for market growers in the Central Plains
as they moderate growing conditions for high-value crops, said Laurie
Hodges, University of Nebraska vegetable specialist and conference
co-coordinator. The workshop also will include a panel discussion on high
tunnel construction, management and production issues.
"The conference is a great chance for beginner and experienced
growers to learn and ask questions about specific growing interests,"
Hodges said. Participants will share ideas at a special grower innovation night.
Several sessions will emphasize marketing and value-added products. The trade show
features more than 35 exhibitors with information about
seeds, irrigation, horticulture equipment, chemicals and more.
"This conference is an excellent opportunity for those considering a
new agricultural enterprise to get an overview of production and marketing
aspects of commercial vegetable production and commercial field-grown cut
flowers while making key contacts that can assist them if they go forward
with commercial production," Hodges said. "We also have sessions that
address issues of concern to established growers with significant
production. We take grower suggestions seriously in planning each
conference so growers can be assured they will benefit each year from new
topics and perspectives."
Registration for the high tunnels workshop is $50 and must be
received by Jan. 3. No walk-ins will be allowed. The conference and trade
show is $35 per day and $40 after Jan. 3. Registration fees include lunch
and breaks. For more information or to register, call Kathy Bennetch at
(402)472-8616 or Christy Dipman at (785)532-6173.
The 2003 Great Plains Vegetable Conference is sponsored by UNL's
agronomy and horticulture department, Kansas State University's
horticulture sciences department and Cooperative Extension in Missouri,
Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa.
“Conference participants can expect to see and experience the latest agricultural technologies,” said Dave Varner, Extension Educator in Dodge County. For more information contact Varner at (402) 540-9315 or email dvarner1@unl.edu
The cost is $10 and includes reference materials, a copy of the research results, and lunch. For more information contact Keith Glewen, extension educator, at (402) 624-8030.
For consultants, the basic concepts and requirements of Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning
will be presented and manure utilization planning will be covered in detail in Manure Utilization Planner for
Technical Service Providers (TSP’s): Education Program in Support of MUP Certification. (This is part of the Integrated Crop Management Winter Curriculum described below.) Cost is $95 when registering seven days before the meeting or $120 after that date.
Participants will receive and learn to use software and worksheets for plan development. Eight credits are
expected for this course -- two in soil and water management and six in soil fertility and nutrient management.
Workshops will be held at the Seward Extension Office Feb 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and at the West Central
REC in North Platte Feb 24 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For producers, the training will be conducted over three days. Producers will develop a manure utilization
plan for their individual animal feeding operations. They should bring information about their operation to be used in developing a plan. Producers will receive and learn to use software and worksheet tools. The
workshop schedule is:
NU's Integrated Crop Management Winter Programs will be offered December through March at
several sites across the state. These sessions will provide the opportunity for agribusiness
professionals to expand their knowledge base, earn CCA credits, and ultimately increase profits.
The training sessions provide indepth and detailed information from NU specialists and private
industry about crop production, management and diagnostics; soil and water quality; soil fertility
and pest management issues.
Continuing education credits for the Certified Crop Advisers Program have been applied for. For
more information or to register, contact Keith Glewen, extension educator, at (402) 624-8030 or
kglewen1@unl.edu or visit the web at http://ardc.unl.edu/2003ICMWP.htm.
Those who register one week in advance of programs will receive the discounted rate. Fees
include lunch, refreshments, workshop materials and an instruction manual.
Courses for undergraduate or graduate credit, professional development, or self-improvement:
Here are a few highlights:
Accreditation
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a fully accredited graduate and undergraduate
institution. The Distance Masters of Science degree program in entomology is conducted and
administered by the Department of Entomology in the College of Agricultural Sciences and
Natural Resources and by the Graduate College of the University of Nebraska. The distance
M.S. in Entomology degree program is a fully recognized and accredited degree program of the
University of Nebraska.
For additional information on the distance program, check the Department of Entomology’s
website for distance classes at http://entomology.unl.edu/educatn/distancems.htm For more information and application materials call, write, or e-mail:
NU Extension winter meetings
Crop Protection Clinics
Herbicide carryover may be a particular problem for many Nebraska producers in 2003 due to the
extensive dry conditions and drought across the state in 2002. This year's NU Cooperative
Extension Crop Protection Clinics will help producers assess the potential for problems, manage
the risk, and learn how to select hybrids for 2003 based on this information.
High Plains Dry Pea Growers Meeting
The High Plains Dry Pea Growers Association Meeting will be Jan. 15
from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. MST at the Eagles Club in Alliance.
It is open to the public and will include presentations on this year's pea,
lentil and chickpea trials as well as discussions on how the new farm program
will impact pulse crops and related production strategies.
For more information, contact Tony Merrigan at 308-762-5616.
Corn/Soybean Workshops
This year's Corn/Soybean Workshops will focus on the cropping systems decisions and
production innovations that can help producers improve yields and profits in 2003. The
workshops, sponsored by NU Cooperative Extension, will be held at five locations across the
state in January. Topics and speakers, which may vary by site, include:
Workshop explores alternatives to traditional cropping
Rural advantage: profit opportunities for Nebraska
Emerging income opportunities for agricultural producers and rural residents will be the focus of
a January Cooperative Extension workshop - The Rural Advantage: Profit Opportunities for
Nebraska. Speakers will address one of three themes: alternative crops, value-added products
and tourism and entertainment farming.
Friday morning, January 17
Session 1, 1:30-2:15
Session 2, 2:15-3:00
Session 3, 3:15-4:00
Session 4, 4:00-4:45
Wine and Cheese Tasting
All Nebraska Dinner
Session 5, 8:00-8:45
Session 6, 8:45-9:30
Planning Out Your Business Success, Carol Thayer, Small Scale Entrepreneurship Extension Specialist
Capnote Speaker: Turning the Vision into Reality, John Ikerd
Agronomy Highlights
This year's Agronomy Highlights will feature presentations and posters
involving research, teaching and extension activities in the NU Department of Agronomy and
Horticulture. It will be held Tuesday, Dec. 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Cornhusker
Hotel in Lincoln. A complimentary noon meal will be provided for those who preregister by
Nov. 29 with JoAnn Collins, NU Agronomy, at(402) 472-2811. Speakers are from the
Department of Agronomy and Horticulture. Application has been submitted for this year's
participants to receive continuing education credits.
Program eases challenges
Returning to the Farm - a University of Nebraska program to help young people return to family
farms and ranches -- will be held at two sites in eastern and north central Nebraska this winter.
The program takes participants through the steps necessary to develop successful
multi-generational working arrangements.
of multi-generational farms
The two-weekend program is open to families who are planning the return of a daughter or son to
the operation or who are presently working in a multi-generation family operation. All members
of the management team are strongly encouraged to attend both weekends of the program.
Program facilitators will include Rood, Dave Goeller, NU farm transition specialist, and Al
Prosch, NU Pork Central Coordinator.
Great Plains Vegetable Conference and Trade Show Jan. 10-11
The 2003 Great Plains Vegetable Conference and Trade
Show will give vegetable growers and market gardeners from Missouri,
Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa the latest information on major market gardening
themes. The Jan. 10-11 meeting will be held in conjunction
with a high tunnels workshop on Jan. 9. Both events will be at the St.
Joseph, Mo., Ramada Inn.
Mark your calendar
Plan now to attend one of these upcoming Cooperative Extension meetings this winter. Check back at the Events page for more details closer to the meeting date.Aurora Ag Day Jan. 23
This year’s Ag Day will be held 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 23 in Aurora at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds. The focus will be on no-till production systems and integrating genetically engineered crops into a pest management plan.
Speakers will include: Paul Jasa, extension engineer; Fred Roeth, extension weed specialist, Andrew Christiansen, extension educator. For further information, contact Andrew Christiansen at the Hamilton County Extension Office at (402) 694-6174.Agricultural Technologies Feb. 3-4
Producers can learn about the how new technologies are changing agriculture at the 2003 Nebraska Agricultural Technologies Association (NeATA) Conference and Trade Show. It will be Feb. 3-4 at the Midtown Holdiay Inn in Grand Island.NU High Plains Ag Lab Update Feb. 11
The University of Nebraska High Plains Ag Lab Update and Advisory Meeting will be Feb. 11
from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. MST at the Holiday Inn in Sidney.
It is open to the public and will include presentations on this year's
research with a focus on drought management. For more information, contact Tom Nightingale at
308-254-3918.Nebraska No-till Feb. 13
The Nebraska No-till Conference will be Thursday, Feb. 13 at the NU Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead. The program will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information contact Keith Glewen, extension educator, at (402) 624-8030.Soybean update March 6
The Nebraska Soybean and Feed Grains Profitability Project meeting will be March 6 at the NU Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead. Individuals don’t have to be participating in the project to attend and learn about the results from on-farm producer research projects on soil quality, weed control, and various cultural practices.Manure use workshops
This winter several Extension programs will target manure utilization planning. All-day training
programs will be provided for crop consultants and advisors and three-afternoon sessions will be provided for producers.
Contact: Charles Wortmann, soils specialist, at (402) 472-2909.
Integrated Crop Management Winter Programs
A series of University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension programs this winter will provide
up-to-date information on a variety of topics of interest to agribusiness professionals and
producers.Irrigation -- Soil and Water Management
December 5, 8:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., Lifelong Learning Center, Norfolk
Topics: Soil water measurement techniques; estimating crop water use rates; irrigation
scheduling using spreadsheets; effective use of water at the field and watershed scale; irrigation
management strategies for corn and soybeans; furrow irrigation system management; sprinkler
positioning; and irrigation system case studies - economics.
Instructors: Jose Payero, extension water resource engineer; Steve Melvin, extension educator;
Derrel Martin, professor of biological systems engineering; Dean Yonts, extension irrigation
engineer; Bill Kranz, extension irrigation specialist; and Roger Selley, extension farm
management specialist
Credits: 6 CCA credits
Program fee: $90; after Nov. 28, $100.Crop Pest Management
December 17, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Dec. 18, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., UNL East Campus
Topics: Indepth training on mycotoxins and grain molds; review of 2002 pest problems, insects,
weeds and herbicides; herbicide interactions; herbicide carryover; weed increasers and
decreasers; understanding the new root rating system; cost of neglecting weed control; insect
outlook for 2003; integrated diagnostic overview; soybean defoliation and how it causes yield
losses; identification of cutworms and defoliators found in corn and soybeans.
Instructors: John Watkins, extension plant pathologist; Loren Giesler, extension plant
pathologist; Jennifer Chaky, extension plant pathology educator; Jim Stack, extension plant
pathologist; Alex Martin, extension weed specialist; Ron Seymour, extension entomology
educator; Keith Jarvi, extension IPM specialist; Barb Ogg, extension educator; Rod Madsen,
UNL graduate student.
Credits: 13 CCA credits in pest management have been applied for.
Program fee: $180; after Dec. 10, $200.Advances in Soil Fertility Management
December 19, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., UNL East Campus
Topics: How soils develop and vary; soil foodwebs; adjusting NH3 applications; nitrification
inhibitors; tips for uniform applications; yield potentials for corn in different areas of Nebraska;
using a corn growth model for improving crop management; factors affecting the economics of
fertilizer use; software for choosing the least costly fertilizer source; estimating the value of
manure.
Instructors: Charles Wortmann, extension nutrient management specialist; Charles Shapiro,
extension soils specialist, Richard Ferguson, extension soils specialist; Achim Dobermann,
extension soil fertility/nutrient management specialist.
Credits: 13 CCA credits.
Program fee: $90; after Dec. 12, $100.
Understanding Genetic Improvement in Crops
February 5, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., College Park, Grand Island
Topics: Genetic principles of crop improvement; how varieties are developed and released;
theories of heterosis and hybrid vigor; sources of pure lines and uniformity in hybrids; common
breeding techniques in self-pollinated crops (wheat and soybeans) and in-cross pollinated crops
(corn and alfalfa).
Instructor: Stephen Baenziger, professor of plant breeding in the Agronomy and Horticulture
Department.
Credits: 6 CCA credits have been applied for.
Program fee: $80; after Jan. 29, $90.Soil and Crop Ecology
February 6, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., NU Ag Research and Development Center, near Mead
Topics: Examine the role of the eight soil micro and macro soil organisms in the mineralization
and maintenance of soil fertility; learn how these organisms form a food web that dramatically
affects soil fertility and soil structure; the benefits of cover crops for conserving crop nutrients,
improving and maintaining soil structure and preventing water and wind erosion; understanding
soil quality testing and how it translates science into practice; developing an awareness of the
value of crop and soil ecology in developing a soil fertility program.
Instructors: James Peterson, extension educator; Paul Hay, extension educator; Rhae Drijber,
associate agronomy professor; John Doran, USDA-ARS soil scientist; Charles Wortmann,
extension nutrient management specialist.
Credit: CCA credits have been applied for.
Program fee: $80; after Jan. 30, $90.Integrated Weed Management
March 7, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Ag Center in Holdrege (Education Rm.)
Topics: the principles of integrated weed management; weed biology and ecology; critical period
of weed control -- pros and cons, weed thresholds, weed shifts; biologically effective dose --
saving money and the environment; and benefits and concerns with herbicide tolerant crops.
Instructor: Stevan Knezevic, extension weed specialist
Prorgram fees: for CCA or professional development, $80; after Feb. 28, $90. For college
credit, the fee is $100 by Feb. 28 or $130 after that date. College credit entails additional
assignments and may include additional fees. Call for information.
Credits: 5 CCA credits have been applied for.Precision Agriculture Workshop
March 13-14, LW Chase Hall, University of Nebraska East Campus, Lincoln
Day 1: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Day 2: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Topics: hands-on training related to key aspects of precision agriculture data collection and
processing; Day 1: principles of GPS and using a handheld receiver; free geospatial data on the
Internet; principle components of a yield monitoring system (use AgLeader display);
conventional and perspective soil mapping techniques. Day 2: combining data sources in a
farm-level GIS package (AGIS or Farm Works); understanding and applying data processing
techniques (map comparison, query, etc.); becoming familiar with the most popular data mining
approaches; and understanding development of prescription maps for variable rate application of
agricultural inputs.
Instructors: Viacheslav Adamchuk, precision agriculture engineer; Richard Ferguson, extension
soil specialist; Achim Dobermann, extension soil fertility/nutrient management specialist;
Maribeth Milner, GIS specialist//pest management, NU Department of Agronomy and
Horticulture; and Paul Jasa, extension engineer.
Program fee: $160; after March 6, $180.
Credits: 12 CCA credits have been applied for.CROP Scout Training for Pest Managers
March 19, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., NU Ag Research and Development Center, near Mead
Topics: growth staging of corn and soybean plants; recognizing fertilizer deficiencies;
identifying major pests in corn and soybeans; economic thresholds of insects; handling the
soybean cyst nematode; weed and disease identification and management.
Instructors: Dale Flowerday, agronomist, Delmar Consulting; Keith Glewen, extension
educator; Barb Ogg, extension educator; Brady Kappler, extension educator
Program fee: $80; or after March 12, $90.
Credit: 5.5 CCA credits have been applied for.
Department of Entomology distance education programs
The UNL Department of Entomology offers a comprehensive list of courses that can be
completed without coming to class on campus. Courses are available for undergraduate or
graduate credit, professional development, or self-improvement. Courses in the Masters of
Entomology distance degree program also are available non-credit for personal or professional
development. To register for any of these entomology classes as a non-degree seeking student
call: (402) 472-2612 or 1-800-755-7765 and ask for Connie.
The Masters of Science in entomology degree was developed for students who cannot
participate in an on-campus degree program and emphasizes course work in entomology and
flexibility in non-entomological training specific to individual student needs and interests.
Intended audiences are individuals actively involved in entomologically related professions
where advanced training is desirable, as well as those seeking such positions. Students have
included agricultural professionals, crop consultants, pest control operators, and high school
science and biology teachers.
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New publications
University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension recently released the following new or revised
publications. These should be available at your local Cooperative Extension Office and soon will be
available on the Web at www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs:
Protective Clothing and Equipment for Pesticide Applicators (G 85-758): Includes use of personal protective equipment and clothing; care and laundering of contaminated clothing and a list of suppliers of personal protective equipment.
Plumeless Thistle (EC02-172): Includes its biology, identification, distribution and control, including cultural, mechanical, chemical and biological means.
Precision Agriculture -- On-the-Go Vehicle-Based Soil Sensors(EC02-178): Covers measuring soil properties, sensors for automated measurements, sensor data usage and illustrations of several sensor technologies and the resulting maps.
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