August 12, 2005; updated Aug. 19, 2005

Predicting the last soybean irrigation

Research indicates top Panhandle performers

Hallam is a wheat variety best suited to eastern Nebraska, where it performed well when moisture was adequate. There will be a limited amount of Hallam seed available for planting this fall.

The next most recently released varieties of wheat are Goodstreak and Harry. Goodstreak is a tall wheat suited to dryland production. It performed well in 2005 across the state. Goodstreak would not be a good choice for high management fields because it is too tall to resist lodging under high productivity. Seed of Goodstreak is readily available for fall planting.

Harry performed very well where stripe rust was not a problem. In many parts of the state, however, stripe rust caused yield reductions. Ample seed of Harry is available for planting this fall.

This was one of the worst wheat streak mosaic years on record in the southern Panhandle. Widespread hail just before harvest in 2004 produced an abundance of volunteer wheat. Some growers took steps to control the volunteer wheat after harvest and others did not. Where the volunteer was not controlled, the wheat curl mite and the wheat streak mosaic virus built up to tremendously high levels during the summer. Any wheat that was planted near these volunteer fields last fall became a target for the mites and wheat streak mosaic.

A recent outbreak of common bunt is another example of where a failure to follow good disease management practices last fall resulted in economic loss at harvest. There have been at least a half dozen recent incidences in southeast Nebraska where growers have had their wheat discounted or even rejected at the elevator because it contained common bunt. This gets back to using bin-run seed and not having it treated with a fungicide before planting (see Table 1).

Fall wheat disease management practices are critical in preventing losses from wheat streak mosaic, common bunt and other serious wheat diseases. These practices revolve around four general management principles:

1. Control weeds and volunteer wheat at least three weeks before planting in adjacent or nearby wheat stubble fields to reduce the risk of wheat streak mosaic.

2. Pick an adapted variety or varieties that compliment each other and have a good disease resistance package for rusts to reduce the potential for having to spray next spring.

3. Select good quality, cleaned and treated seed and plant at the proper time to lessen the risk of crown and root rot, wheat streak mosaic, soil-borne mosaic, common bunt and loose smut.

4. Plant into a firm, mellow seed bed to ensure good seed to soil contact and lessen the potential for winter kill and crown and root rot.

John E. Watkins
Extension Plant Pathologist

Table 1. A partial list of seed treatment fungicides for control of fungal seed diseases such as common bunt, loose smut, black point and scab in wheat.* Fungicide common name Some trade names and application methods** (D, DB, M, L, S, RTA, RTU) Carboxin + Captan Enhance (DB) Carboxin + Maneb Enhance Plus (DB); DB-Green+Vitavax (D/DB) Carboxin + PCNB Vitavax - PCNB (S/M) Carboxin + Thiram Vitavax 200 (S/M); Vitaflow 280 (S); RTU-Vitavax-Thiram (L/S) Carboxin + Imazalil + Tiabendazole RTU Vitavax Extra (S) Difenoconazole + Mefenoxam Dividend XL (S), XL RTA & Extreme (S); Incentive RTA Metalaxyl + PCNB + Carboxin Prevail (DB) Tebuconazole + Metalaxyl Raxil MD & XT (S) Tebuconazole + Metalaxyl + Imazalil Raxil MD Extra (S/M) Tebuconazole + Thiram Raxil-Thiram (L/S) Triadimenol Baytan 30F (S) Triadimenol + Thiram RTU-Baytan-Thiram (S/M) * Fungicides listed represent the best information available. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by UNL Extension is implied. ** Application method: D = Dust, DB = Drill Box, M = Mist, L = Liquid, S = Slurry, RTA = Ready to Apply and RTU = Ready to Use.

No-till air seeder and fertilizer application unit on the Mark Watson farm near Alliance, Nebraska.

Soil testing is still the best method to determine fertility status and the need for additional nutrients. Adequate phosphorus (P) is required for early plant development and tillering. Nitrogen management is essential to avoid low yields or protein and to maintain profitability with increased nitrogen prices.

Nitrogen

“The sunflower growers in Nebraska have indicated that a unique, non-routine situation exists with a significant infestation of rust, and they do not have a currently registered curative fungicide to treat infested fields,” said NDA Director Greg Ibach. “There is a great potential for this disease to hurt Nebraska’s sunflower producers. This crisis exemption will aid them in trying to minimize losses in their sunflower crop this year.”

The crisis exemption allows for Folicur 3.6 F to be applied to control rust in sunflowers. It can be applied by ground or aerial applicators from August 18 to September 1, 2005. Folicur 3.6 F is produced by Bayer CropScience and should be applied following all label directions, restrictions and precautions found on the Environmental Protection Agency registered product label. Dealers must obtain a permit from the NDA to distribute Folicur 3.6 F. For more information, please contact the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Plant Industry, at (402) 471-2394.

"Increasing efficiency while decreasing expenses and minimizing losses are key in succeeding in today's ag marketplace," said Keith Glewen, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension educator. "This event will offer realistic solutions for meeting the challenges of higher crop yields while keeping production costs economical."

The program features in-field and other presentations, including: overcoming soybean yield barriers and a soybean rust update; relay cropping more crops, more profit; managing sunlight with corn hybrids; and tailoring technologies for your farm.

Presenters include UNL specialists and industry consultants.

Solution Days 2005 is sponsored by NK Brand Syngenta Seeds and the Nebraska Soybean Board in cooperation with UNL Extension in the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Greg Anderson, chairman of the Nebraska Soybean Board, the United Soybean Board and a soybean farmer from Newman Grove, said he has attended Solutions Days in the past and has always come away with more knowledge.

"Solution Days is so worth while in providing information in our ever-changing way that we do farming," Anderson said. "I'm glad the Soybean Board is helping sponsor this along with Syngenta as it brings knowledge to Nebraska producers and allows us to be more competitive with what we are doing for a living."

Mark Pieper, regional manager of NK Brand Syngenta Seeds said, "Our overall goal is for the grower to produce more yield and have better choices for the way they farm."

Complimentary tickets are available from NK Brand and the Nebraska Soybean Board. Participants are asked to bring their completed ticket panel to the field day to expedite registration. To get to the research farm near Goehner, take Interstate 80 exit 373 and go one-fourth mile south.

On field corn it is labeled for use at 5.7-8.5 fl.oz per acre. The label recommends a minimum application volume of 5 gallons per acre for aerial application and 10 gallons per acre for ground application. It is also labeled for use in chemigation.

Bob Wright
Extension Entomologist

Beetle biology Two generations of bean leaf beetles develop each year in Nebraska. The second generation overwinters as adults and are the ones seen early in the year feeding on seedling soybeans. These beetles feed, mate, lay eggs and die in early-mid June. Usually there is a distinct period from mid June to early July when few if any beetles are present in the field, before the first generation emerges. Total developmental time from egg to adult can range from 25 to 40 days. Because of this range of development, it is common to see adults from the first generation and the second generation in the field at the same time. In other words, the generations overlap and beetles will be present at some level from mid-July until the end of the growing season. Because of this overlap, it is important to regularly monitor beetles to determine population shifts. This information can then be used to make more informed management decisions.

Table 1. Economic thresholds in beetles per row foot for R5-R6 (beginning pod and full seed) soybeans in 30-inch rows. Soybean value Pest management costs per acre   $7.00 $8.00 $9.00 $10.00 $11.00 $12.00 $4.50 7.1 8.1 9.1 10.1 11.1 12.1 $5.00 6.4 7.3 8.2 9.1 10.0 10.9 $5.50 5.8 6.6 7.4 8.3 9.1 9.9 $6.00 5.3 6.1 6.8 7.6 8.3 9.1

Table 2. Economic thresholds in beetles per row foot for R5-R6 (beginning pod and full seed) soybeans in 7 inch rows. Soybean value Pest management costs per acre   $7.00 $8.00 $9.00 $10.00 $11.00 $12.00 $4.50 1.7 1.9 2.1 2.4 2.6 2.8 $5.00 1.5 1.7 1.9 2.1 2.3 2.5 $5.50 1.4 1.5 1.7 1.9 2.1 2.3 $6.00 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 1.9 2.1

Table 3. Economic thresholds in beetles per sweep for bean leaf beetles on stage R6 soybeans in 30-inch rows. Numbers in parenthesis are for beans drilled in 7-inch rows. (R6 is defined as a green seed filling the pod cavity in one of the four uppermost nodes with a fully developed leaf (seeds touching.) Soybean value Pest management costs per acre   $6.00 $8.00 $10.00 $12.00 $5.00 4 (3) 5 (4) 6 (5) 8 (5) $6.00 3 (2) 4 (3) 5 (4) 6 (5) $7.00 3 (2) 4 (3) 4 (3) 5 (4)

Bean leaf beetles will feed on soybean leaves throughout the season, but leaf feeding seldom causes yield loss. Most damage (economic yield loss) occurs when beetles feed on developing pods. This yield loss can occur in several ways. Pods may be clipped from the plants, but this is not the primary cause of yield loss. Many flowers and pods are aborted naturally and to blame pod loss on bean leaf beetle feeding may be a costly mistake. Beetles normally injure soybean pods by feeding on the outside layer, leaving a thin layer of tissue still covering the seed. Usually, except with very small pods, they won’t eat into the developing seed. Fungal pathogens may enter the pod from the feeding sites, causing seeds to appear shrunken, discolored, and moldy, which can result in dockage. After full pods are formed and seeds begin developing, soybeans are most susceptible to yield loss from pod feeding.

The best time to sample is before significant pod feeding occurs, but after second generation beetles have emerged. Second generation bean leaf beetles are emerging and beetle numbers will be approaching their highest levels for the summer. Beetle numbers will slowly decline as beans mature and beetles move to overwintering sites.

Economic thresholds have been developed for both drop cloth (beetles per foot of row) or sweep net (beetles per sweep) sampling (Tables 1-3). Perhaps the most accurate way to sample beetles is with a drop (or shake) cloth. A drop cloth is a 3 x 3 ft piece of muslin or plastic attached on each side to dowel rods. Hold one rod against the base of the plant and lay the cloth between the rows. Shake the plants against the cloth to knock off the insects, and count the beetles. Remember to estimate the number per row foot, so if you use a three-foot cloth divide your total by three. Sample several areas of the field to get a more accurate estimate. In narrow row beans you can still sample with a drop cloth, but the procedure is slightly different. Set the rod at the base of the row of plants and lay part of the cloth on the ground and hold the rest of the cloth upright or over the opposite row to be sampled. Shake the soybeans against the upright cloth, and then count the beetles knocked down on the bottom of the cloth.

Thresholds are based on the number of beetles per foot of row, which varies according to total application cost and the crop value per bushel.

Tables 1-3 show economic thresholds for beans in 30- and 7-inch rows. To use the tables find the number that fits both crop value and application costs. For example, if you set the value of your soybeans at $6 per bushel and your application costs would be $9, you would need 6.8 or more beetles per foot of row to justify an application in 30-inch row beans or 1.6 or more beetles per foot of row in 7-inch row beans.

Sweep at least five randomly selected sites. Walk through the field at an even pace, performing about 25 sweeping arcs. The best sweeping action for bean leaf beetle is a consistent upward motion through the foliage, using as much force as needed to move the net smoothly through the foliage. Bean leaf beetle activity varies during the day. Activity patterns suggest the best times to sample are around mid-morning or in the afternoon. Try to maintain a similar sampling time in each field to eliminate variability.

Economic thresholds for reproductive stage soybeans other than R6 are probably higher (more beetles are needed to justify a treatment). This is because pods on plants past R6 are maturing and there is less green pod tissue available for beetle feeding, and plants in earlier reproductive stages have greater yield compensation potential than those in R6 or older.

Keith Jarvi
Integrated Pest Management Assistant
Northeast REC
Tom Hunt
Extension Entomology Specialist
Haskell Ag Lab, Northeast REC

Table 4. Insecticides registered for bean leaf beetles. Bean leaf beetles can be controlled by several insecticides. Be aware that most have 14-day or more pre harvest intervals (phi). Here is a table of insecticides for bean leaf beetle control. Restricted Use Product Name Rate Pre-harvest interval (formulation/ac or lb/ac) (days) Yes Asana XL 5.8 - 9.6 oz 21 Yes Baythroid 1.6 – 2.8 oz 45 No dimethoate 1 pt 21 No Lorsban 4E 1-2 pts 28 Yes Lannate WSP 0.25 – 0.50 lb 14 Yes Lannate LVv3/4 - 1 lb 14 No Larvin 3.2F 18-30 oz 28 Yes Mustang Max 2.8 – 4.0 oz 21 Yes Penncap-M 2-3 pts 20 Yes Pounce 3.2 EC 2-4 oz 60 Yes Pounce 25 WP 3.2-6.4 oz 60 No Sevin XLR Plus 0.5 - 1 qt 21 No Sevin 80 S 5/8 - 11/4 lb 21 Yes Warrior 1.92 - 3.2 oz 45

Harvesting brown mustard in the Nebraska Panhandle, July 2005. (IANR Photo)

To provide producers in western Nebraska more information about their cropping options relateed to biodiesel, UNL researchers are studying crops such as brown mustard, canola, camelina and crambe. Spring forms of brown mustard and canola have been commercially produced for the past two seasons. Development of more winter adapted germplasm, including Sumner, Wichita and Abilene winter canola, has greatly expanded the potential for these crops in the region.

For the past two years winter trials have yielded approximately 180% of the spring types under limited irrigation with an average of nearly 4,000 lbs/acre and a high yielding plot of over 5,000 lbs/acre. More than 20,000 acres of these varieties were planted in the High Plains in 2004 and production is expected to increase rapidly. Now is the time to prepare ground for planting and line up a seed supply and market since winter types need to be planted by late August.

Progressive Producers is willing to market a limited quantity of winter type canola this year from western Nebraska. For more information contact Bob Kelly at Crossroads Cooperative, 308-249-3896, bob@crossroadscoop.com or Dan Laursen, president of Progressive Producers, 308-487-5541, dlaursen@bbc.net.For agronomic information contact Charlie Rife, charlie@gobluesun.com, or David Baltensperger, dbaltensperger1@unl.edu.

David Baltensperger
Extension Crop Breeding Specialist
Panhandle REC

Also on the program:

• Beef Market Analysis with Dillon Feuz, UNL Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist;
• Panhandle Agriculture Diversifying with Chuck Hibberd, Director, Panhandle Research and Extension Center;
• Tourism in Nebraska with Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, UNL Extension Community Development Specialist; and
• Weather -- Al Dutcher, Nebraska State Climatologist

Alfalfa uses water most efficiently during cooler weather. In mid-summer it takes seven or eight inches to produce a ton of hay. By fall, that may drop to five or six inches per ton. To maximize yield with limited water, produce as much yield as possible during cooler weather, when water use efficiency is highest.

Avoid heavy irrigating of alfalfa in the heat of summer when it is used poorly. Apply most of what is left after temperatures cool down, but don't let alfalfa you plan to irrigate later go completely dormant. Use enough water to keep it green so it is ready to grow rapidly once temperatures cool down. If your alfalfa goes dormant, it will take much more water and time later to break the dormancy.

If you must decide on spreading water lightly across all acres or using heavier rates on fewer acres, I recommend the latter. It takes a couple inches just to keep plants green without growing. Once maintenance moisture is met, the rest produces growth.

Whatever you decide, be sure to water your best land. That is where plants will respond best to extra water.

The first responders' job is to detect plant diseases early and stop their spread before they can do serious damage to the agricultural economy and food supply, Chaky said.

"We want to train anyone who might be out in the field noticing something unusual," she said. "It isn't possible for all of us in the university system to be everywhere at once, but a lot of people look at fields on a daily basis. We let them know what to look for and the best way to take samples."

Other members of the training team are UNL plant pathologists John Watkins and Loren Giesler.

Certified first responders must complete at least three hours of training about various topics, including the purpose of the diagnostic network, how to recognize high-risk pests and pathogens, and proper methods of collecting and submitting plant samples, Chaky said. Past seminars were in February, March and April in Lincoln, Grand Island, Norfolk and at the university's Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead.

Denny Stamm of York, who attended the Mead training, said the seminar taught skills necessary for making the diagnostic network effective.

"The training reinforced the need to obtain and ship quality samples, and also pointed out some potential pathogens that may appear in the future," said Stamm, field research scientist for Syngenta Crop Protection.

On a broad scale, the network facilitates communication between land-grant university labs, state departments of agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, speeding up the diagnostic process.

"Timely diagnosis is important for managing and getting plants through the growing season," Chaky said. "For a state like Nebraska, where a big part of the economy is based on agriculture, it's really valuable to be a participant in the national network."

Plant disease can have many sources, often accidental ones such as hurricanes and travelers. But whether diseases stem from accidents or bioterrorism, timely diagnosis is always a benefit, Chaky said.

Many times, plant diseases have a bigger impact on trade than yields, posing a threat to the agricultural economy. The faster a problem is discovered and diagnosed -- with the help of trained first responders -- the sooner it can be treated, Chaky said.

She, Giesler and Watkins have adapted the national programming to meet the needs of Nebraska farmers and growers. Their seminars include information from IANR faculty and staff and the agricultural industry.

Because of Nebraska's sizeable soybean crop, Chaky said, the first responder training focuses on soybean rust. The leaf disease likely entered the southeastern U.S. because of spores blown in by the September 2004 hurricane Ivan. Though it hasn't reached Nebraska, soybean rust has caused substantial crop losses in other parts of the world. The disease poses a threat because no commercial soybean varieties are resistant to it and it spreads rapidly, Chaky said.

First responder training also extends beyond crops. Chaky's team is planning fall seminars for Master Gardeners and others in contact with ornamental plants. The training will focus on identifying sudden oak death, a disease not yet found in Nebraska that kills oaks and other plants, Chaky said.

Paul Hay, Extension Educator in Gage County: Warm night temperatures are moving irrigated corn fields along quickly with many fields being close enough to cease watering. Blue River irrigators are facing another shutdown at a critical time for soybean irrigation. Several more locations are reporting common bunt on wheat. While not at a high level, it clearly shows the need to use approved seed treatment fungicides.

Del Hemsath, Extension Educator in Dakota, Dixon, and Thurston counties: Thunderstorms moved through northeast Nebraska on August 3 giving some areas 0.5 to 1.5 inches of rain. There was some hail but none that would be considered serious for crops. Dryland corn is looking good on non-sandy areas. Soybeans are looking okay but beginning to show stress from lack of moisture. Alfalfa hay is off for the third cutting; the last cutting will depend on rainfall. Pastures look moisture-stressed.

Tom Dorn, Extension Educator in Lancaster County: Dryland corn is in the dough to mid-dent stage. Most ears are filled nearly to the tip. Dry matter is still accumulating in the kernels and the corn would benefit from several inches of addi-tional rain, provided it comes soon.

Irrigated soybeans are at R5 to R6 stage (beginning to full seed fill) but dryland beans are behind irrigated beans with most dryland beans at R4 (full size pods even at the upper nodes). When squeezed between fingers, the beans are barely palpable inside the pod, even on the lower stalk.

The yield potential is there but we are going to need more rainfall if we are going to make much of a dryland soybean crop. I continue to see low numbers of soybean aphids. Bean leaf beetle damage to leaf tissue is continuing but is below treatment levels. People are starting to plant alfalfa into wheat stubble ground.

Gary Lesoing, Extension Educator in Nemaha County: Following the July 25-26 rain, soybeans have been developing nicely, setting on pods and continually growing vegetatively. Corn continues to develop and is showing much less stress even during some of the hot days.

Parts of Nemaha County have received some significant rainfall (over 1 inch) in the past week as well. Most of the third cutting alfalfa was a short crop, but by cutting it, farmers are hoping for a better fourth cutting. The rain helped green up pastures as well. Soybean pests and diseases have generally been light. I have seen a few grasshoppers, bean leaf beetles and stink bugs in soybean. A producer had an irrigated double cropped soybean field with Phytophthora and three-year white grubs. The combination of these two pests was reducing his stand significantly.

"Based on objective field checks and farmer reports, dryland corn yields are sharply lower from last year's record highs, however, irrigated yield potential is excellent. These factors combined to limit the production decrease from last year," said Mark Harris, Director of the Nebraska Field Office.

Soybean production in Nebraska is forecast at 218 million bushels, 1% below last year and third highest on record behind 2001 and 2004. Acres for harvest, at 4.95 million, are highest on record. Yield is forecast at 44 bushels per acre, down 2.5 bushels from 2004.

Nebraska's 2005 winter wheat crop is forecast at 66.3 million bushels, down 5% from last month's forecast but 9% above last year's crop. Area for grain, at 1.7 million acres, is unchanged from last month. Average yield is forecast at 39 bushels per acre, down 2 bushels from last month but 2 bushels above last year. Harvest revealed the full impact of disease and spring freeze damage to the head grain weights, reducing yield from last month's forecast.

Sorghum yield is forecast at 77 bushels per acre, down 4 bushels from last year with production forecast at 20.8 million bushels. Dry edible bean production, at 3.55 million cwt., is up 49% from last year.

Oat yield is forecast at a record high 75 bushels per acre with production forecast at 4.5 million bushels, up 20% from 2004.

Sugarbeet production of 1.03 million tons is down 2% from last year. Alfalfa hay production is forecast at 4.32 million tons, down 3% from last year, while all other hay production is up 18%.

Often high-quality corn silage is an economical substitute for much of the grain in finishing and dairy rations, especially when grain prices are high. The key here is the phrase “high-quality”, because all too often we fail to harvest and store silage in ways that give the best feed value.

Today, I want to emphasize timing of harvest. Much of the corn silage in our area is cut too late. Timing needs to be based on moisture content of the silage. Silage chopped wetter than seventy percent moisture can run or seep and often produces a more sour, less palatable fermentation. More frequently, though, we chop corn silage too dry, below 60% moisture. Then it’s difficult to chop and pack the silage adequately to force out air. The silage heats, protein and energy digestibility declines, and spoilage increases.

Many corn hybrids are at the ideal 60-70% moisture level as corn kernels reach the one-half milkline. This guide isn’t perfect for all hybrids, however, so check your own field independently. Good silage usually can continue to be made up until black layer formation.

One reason it is good to chop silage when corn kernels are between half milkline and black layer is the digestibility of this feed. Drier, more mature corn grain tends to pass through the animal more easily without digesting. Also, older leaves and stalks are less digestible.

Chop your silage between half milkline and black layer to get better feed and better profits.

Bruce Anderson
Extension Forage Specialist

Ninety-eight percent of the soybean crop had bloomed, ahead of last year and the average at 94%. Eighty percent of the crop had set pods, well ahead of 67% last year and the average of 63%. Conditions rated 3% very poor, 14% poor, 33% fair, 40% good, and 10% excellent. This is still above average but below last year.

Sorghum conditions rated 6% very poor, 14% poor, 38% fair, 38% good, and 4% excellent, lower than last year but better than average. Seventy-one percent of the crop had headed, ahead of 54% last year and the average at 59%. Sorghum coloring is at 1%, equal to last year but behind the average at 4%.

Oat harvest is virtually complete, ahead of 94% last year and 93% for the average.

Dry bean conditions rated 6% poor, 26% fair, 60% good, and 8% excellent. Eighty-nine percent of the crop had bloomed, ahead of 67% last year and the average at 86%. Sixty-eight percent of the crop had set pods, ahead of last year at 26% and the average at 50%.

Alfalfa conditions rated 10% very poor, 14% poor, 37% fair, 33% good, and 6% excellent. Second cutting was 98% complete, near last year and average at 99%. Third cutting was 48% complete, ahead of last year at 34% and the average at 38%.

Wild hay conditions rated 5% very poor, 11% poor, 36% fair, 44% good, and 4% excellent.

Pasture and range conditions rated 11% very poor, 19% poor, 36% fair, 32% good, and 2% excellent. Conditions are behind last year but still above normal.

The overall index is also affected by the seasonal change based on a three-year average mix of commodities a producer sells. Increased average marketings of grapes, wheat, and tomatoes offset decreased marketings of milk, cantaloupes, and asparagus. The preliminary All Farm Products Index is down 5 points (4.0%) from July 2004.

USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office

“Over the last 10 years, we have seen farm real estate value per acre in Nebraska increase nearly 60%, resulting in a $14.8 billion increase in total farm real estate value since 1995,” said Mark Harris, director of Nebraska Agricultural Statistics Service.

Cropland value increased 11% from last year to $1,430 per acre, with dryland acreage averaging $1,200 per acre and irrigated cropland at $1,890. Pastureland, at $310 per acre, was $35 above a year ago. USDA’s Nebraska Agricultural Statistics Service: Corn condition rated 4% very poor, 8% poor, 27% fair, 44% good, and 17% excellent. Irrigated fields declined to 79% good or excellent and dryland fields declined to 35%.

Overall conditions are below last year but still above average. Five percent of the crop has dented, ahead of 3% last year but behind 8% for the average.

Ninety-eight percent of the soybean crop had bloomed, ahead of last year and the average at 94%. Conditions rated 3% very poor, 14% poor, 33% fair, 40% good, and 10% excellent. This is still above average but below last year.

Sorghum conditions rated 6% very poor, 14% poor, 38% fair, 38% good, and 4% excellent, lower than last year but better than average. Seventy-one percent of the crop had headed, ahead of 54% last year. Dry bean conditions rated 6% poor, 26% fair, 60% good, and 8% excellent. Eighty-nine percent of the crop had bloomed.

UNL to spotlight ag innovations, student options

UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources will have more than two dozen exhibits and displays covering topics and issues that impact a large cross-section of Nebraskans. We welcome the opportunity to meet with the public and answer their questions at Husker Harvest Days and are proud that we’ve been a part of the show since the very beginning in 1978.

Some of the exhibits will focus on concerns unique to this year, including

• Soybean Rust: UNL’s Mobile Diagnostic Lab Monitors Nebraska’s Soybeans
• Food Processing Center: Adding Value to Your Commodity
• Managing Soybean Aphids in Nebraska
• Precision Ag: Technology in Crop Production
• Food Safety and Thermometers: How Hot is Too Cold?
• Livestock Waste Controls for Nebraska Feedlots
• Enhancing Family Strengths During Stressful Times
• Leadership, Teacher Education, and Journalism
• Using Climate Forecasts to Improve Ag Decision-Making
• Economics of Agriculture and Natural Resources
• WeedSoft: High Tech Integrated Crop Management
• UNL Classrooms and Courses: Investing In You For Your Career

• Agricultural Tax Management
• Antique Tractors: Memories in Paint and Metal
• Lake Algae Testing, Staying Safe For Fun
• Nebraska’s Water: Our Precious Resource
• New Seed Varieties Grow For You
• Discover 4-H, Discover You
• LEAD: Developing Nebraska’s Leaders
• Nebraska’s Livestock: More Gain per Pound
• Pesticide Storage Security

Join Market Journal live

IANR’s Market Journal program will deliver live, video-streaming Internet programs from its studio at the Husker Red building. Attendees are invited to be part of the studio audience for these programs that are broadcast on the Internet at MarketJournal.unl.edu. One hour programs will be broadcast twice each day during the show. Times and topics of interest include:

• Tuesday, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Water Rights and Use Issues for Irrigators
• Wednesday, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Take Control of Your Marketing
• Thursday, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. What You Should Know About Buying Equipment

Center pivot field crop irrigation. (IANR Photo)

“The Irrigation Strategies Field Tour Series focuses on showing farmers and crop consultants management strategies to conserve water. The primary focus is on demonstrating research-based irrigation management strategies on farmer fields,” said Melvin. His goal is to make irrigation scheduling and management as easy as keeping fuel in the tank using the fuel gauge.

Field tours will be conducted at eight sites in August and early September. Plot locations include: Arapahoe, Benkelman, Madrid, Cozad, Axtell, Holdrege, Curtis, and Ainsworth.

Field tour topics, which will vary by location, include: furrow irrigation strategies that improve efficiency for full and limited water use; how time of application and amount of water applied affects crop yield; soil moisture monitoring equipment; yield effects of skip row planted corn; predicting the last irrigation; calculating water applied using a flow meter; viewing the UNL irrigated corn varity test plot; and how amount of water and nitrogen applied affects crop yield.

For more information about the Irrigation Strategies Field Tour Series, contact UNL Extension Educator Steve Melvin at (308) 367-4424 or smelvin2@unl.edu.

Schedule

Tour sites and starting times follow:

Arapahoe, Wednesday, August 17, 6 p.m. Location: 0.25 mile east of Arapahoe on the north side of U.S. Highways 6 and 34.

Benkelman, Monday, August 22, 6 p.m. MDT. Location: 12 miles north of Benkelman on Nebraska Highway 61 or 14 miles south of the intersection of U.S. Highway 6 and Nebraska Highway 61 (turn at Alsbury sign) and four miles west to the intersection of 718 Rd and 334 Ave. Turn south and the plot is 0.25 mile down, on the east side.

Madrid, Tuesday, August 23, 6 p.m MDT. Location: go 4.5 miles south of Madrid to the intersection of 756 Rd and 338 Ave.; the plot is on the east side of the road. Cozad, Thursday, August 25, 10 a.m. Location: south of Cozad at the intersection of I-80 (Exit 222) and Nebraska Highway 21, south three miles and one mile west. The plot is on the north side of the road.

Axtell/Holdrege, Tuesday, August 30, two-part tour. The first part of the tour will start near Axtell at 10 a.m. and the second part will start near Holdrege at 1 p.m. Location 1: From Axtell, on U.S. Highways 6/34, one mile east and one and one-quarter mile north. The plot is on the east side of the road. Location 2: from the intersection of U.S. Highways 6/34 and 183 in Holdrege, go 3.5 miles south; plot is on the east side of the road.

Curtis, Thursday, September 1, 1 p.m. Location: from the intersection of Nebraska Highway 23 and Center Street (flashing light) in Curtis, go north six blocks to the dead end, turn east (right) one-half block, then north (left) and follow road 0.5 mile. The plot is on the east (right) side of the road.

Ainsworth, Wednesday, September 7, 6 p.m. Location: from Ainsworth, go 5 miles east to the intersection of U.S. Highways 183 and 20, then north 7.5 miles just before the road turns to the west; plot is on the east side of the road.

Registration for the UNL Extension clinic begins at 8:30 a.m. at the West Central Research and Extension Center at North Platte with the clinic starting at 9 a.m.

The Yield Monitoring (A to Z) Training is part of UNL's Precision Agriculture Workshop series and focuses on operation of yield monitors, their calibration and data processing. Participants will learn about the components of yield monitoring equipment, the basics of collecting position and harvest data, the causes of various errors and how to minimize them, methods to filter and correct the data, and how harvest data accumulated over several years can be used to improve crop management.

Presenters include UNL extension educators and specialists. Topics will include: importance of yield maps, yield monitor designs and principles of operation, proper calibration and operation of grain yield monitors, yield data filtering, yield history processing and interpretation for management decisions, quick and simple interpretation of maps that you may have, and site-specific management decisions based on yield maps and other spatial data layers.

Program topics include: fertilizer application and placement; hybrid maize; solar radiation: timing and effects of radiation changes on yields and disease; soybean aphids; soybean rust; and ultimate weed identification. Presenters include UNL extension educators, specialists and industry representatives.

Early registration is recommended to reserve a seat and resource materials. Cost is $130 for those registering by Aug. 17 and $180 after. Certified Crop Advisor credits are anticipated: 0.5 in soil and water management, 2.5 in crop management, 1 in nutrient management and 5 in crop protection.

From Brown to Gold: Nebraska's Manure Value Field Days will give livestock producers the information and skills needed for management planning of manure nutrients. The morning classroom program will focus on developing and using a manure nutrient application plan and understanding Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality regulations related to land application of manure. The afternoon field program will address manure and soil sampling and applicator calibration.

A Manure Calibration Kit, which will be available for livestock producers and their advisers to borrow, will be introduced at the program. Producers can attend the full-day session or the afternoon field day only. By attending both morning and afternoon sessions, participants will receive Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality land application training certification. Certification is required of livestock producers who have received a new or updated livestock waste control facility permit since April 1998. The farm representative identified on the permit application must complete an approved land application training every five years. Farm personnel responsible for land application of manure also are encouraged to attend. Registration for the full-day program is $30 which includes lunch or $20 for the afternoon field program. Space is limited for the morning program.

The Manure Merchandising Workshops will highlight strategies for marketing manure to off-farm markets. Participants will learn to calculate the value of manure to crop producers and about considerations of formulation of a manure merchandising business plan. Participants also will hear from others already marketing manure about opportunities and obstacles.

The merchandising workshops are geared toward livestock producers, managers and/or employees, crop and livestock consultants, government representatives and extension educators. Producers are encouraged to participate with their agronomic adviser or computer operator.

Manure Value for Crop Production Workshops will teach crop producers how to gain the greatest economic value from use of manure for their land and how to use manure with fertilizer to optimize their nutrient management plan. Participants will hear from other crop producers who regularly use manure and will hear from others about difficulties and benefits of manure use.

The Manure Merchandising Workshops and Manure Value for Crop Production Workshops are free and include publications and a CD of information and planning tools. Pre-registration is required as seating is limited. A tour of two farms that merchandise manure will occur from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Aug. 31 workshops in Adams. Producers attending the afternoon or evening workshops can attend.

Workshop and field day dates, titles, times, locations and local contacts for more information and registration are:

• Aug. 22 -- From Brown to Gold: Nebraska's Manure Value Field Days, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Dawson County Extension Office, northwest corner of Dawson County Fairgrounds, Lexington, David Stenberg, (308) 324-5501
• Aug. 23 -- Manure Merchandising Workshop, 2-5 p.m., Fire Hall, Pender, Del Hemsath, (402) 584-2819
• Aug. 23 -- Manure Value for Crop Production Workshop, 6-8:30 p.m., Fire Hall, Pender, Del Hemsath, (402) 584-2819
• Aug. 30 -- Manure Value for Crop Production Workshop, 3-6 p.m., Methodist church basement, Phillips, Darrel Siekman, (308) 946-3843
• Aug. 31 -- Manure Merchandising Workshop, 1-4 p.m., Community Building, Adams, Paul Hay, (402) 223-1384
• Aug. 31 -- Manure Value for Crop Production Workshop, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Community Building, Adams, Paul Hay, (402) 223-1384
• Sept. 15 -- From Brown to Gold: Nebraska's Manure Value Field Days, 9-3 p.m., UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center and the Scottsbluff Agricultural Laboratory, Mitchell Farm Road, Scottsbluff, Tom Holman, (308) 632-1480
• Sept. 15 -- Manure Value for Crop Production Workshop, 1-3 p.m., Scottsbluff Agricultural Laboratory, Mitchell Farm Road, Scottsbluff, Tom Holman, (308) 632-1480

The tour begins at 9:30 a.m. in the PHREC auditorium. It is co-sponsored by the Nebraska Dry Bean Grower’s Association and the University of Nebraska.

Chuck Hibberd, PHREC director, will report on Cuba as a potential export market for Nebraska dry beans. Dr. Hibberd will have just returned from Cuba as part of a Nebraska trade delegation.

Trailers will load at 10 am for a tour of research projects. Following lunch, compliments of the Nebraska Dry Bean Grower’s Association, tour participants will drive individual vehicles to the University of Nebraska “Mitchell Station” to continue the field tour. To get to the Mitchell station, drive 5.5 miles north on Nebraska 71, then 1.5 miles west on Experiment Farm Road.

Morning topics and presenters will include:

• Are there differences in pod placement on GN bean varieties? – Jim Schild, Extension Educator
• Monitoring bean rust; the white mold forecast – Jim Steadman, Extension Plant Pathologist
• How mid-season water stress affects edible beans – Dean Yonts, Extension Irrigation Engineer
• Late season nightshade control in edible beans – Robert Wilson, Extension Weed Specialist
• Early season weed control in edible beans – Robert Wilson, Extension Weed Specialist
• Are there differences in Garbanzo bean varieties? – David Baltensperger, Extension Plant Breeder
• How can I manage the Mexican bean beetle? – Gary Hein, Extension Entomologist
• What we learned from last year’s direct harvest project – John Smith, Extension Machinery Systems Engineer
• Plant health effects from fertilizers & biologicals – Robert Harveson, Extension Plant Pathologist
• Advanced and early generation GN and Pinto lines – Carlos Urrea, Extension Dry Bean Plant Breeder
• Limited irrigation and reduced tillage for dry beans – Gary Hergert, Extension Soils Specialist
• Growth regulators and their effect on bean plant architecture – Alex Pavlista, Extension Potato Specialist

• Exotic and drought tolerant germplasm – Carlos Urrea, Dry Bean Plant Breeder
• Limited irrigation using subsurface drip system on dry beans – Dean Yonts, Extension Irrigation Engineer
• The serious bacterial wilt problem in dry edible beans – Robert Harveson, Extension Plant Pathologist
• Field strip comparison of eight dry bean market classes – Panel of specialists

Businesses, services and associations that support the beef cattle industry in western Nebraska also will be participating. Activities, demonstrations and commercial exhibits will be available throughout the day. Highlights of the open house will include presentations on Nebraska's ethanol industry, feeding distiller's grains, heifer development, cattle market forecast, and drought.

Speaker schedule

9:30 a.m. Opening remarks -- Don Adams, West Central REC Director, and Chuck Hibberd, Panhandle REC Director

9:40 a.m. Role of UNL Extension -- Elbert Dickey, Dean of UNL Extension

10 a.m. Industry Perspective of Distillers Co-Products Todd Sneller of the Nebraska Ethanol Board

10:20 a.m. Overview of Distillers Grains -- Galen Erickson

10:40 a.m. Distillers Grains Research at UNL -- Terry Klopfenstein

11:30 a.m. Heifer Development -- Ruck Funston

11:50 a.m. Ethanol and Nebraska -- Congressman Tom Osborne

12:30 p.m. Lunch. Exhibits open all day.

1:45 p.m. Dedication of Wagonhammer Education Center and Ray Bohy Conference Room -- John Owens, NU Vice President and IANR Harlan Vice Chancellor

2:05 p.m. Beef Products -- Allie Atkins

2:25 p.m. Cattle Market Forecast -- Dillon Feuz, Extension Agricultural Economist

2:45 p.m. Field Tour of Distillers Grains/Stocking Rate & Drought Research -- Walter Schacht, UNL agronomy professor, Kristin Gustad, Pat Reece, Extension Range and Forage Specialist, and Jerry Volesky, Extension Range Specialist.

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Copyright 2005 by the University of Nebraska

Published by University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperating with the counties and the U.S. Department of Agriculture

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