Field updates

• Educators reported a range of winter wheat yields, from 20-30 bu/ac to 110-120 bu/ac, but generally a lot of optimism about wheat and wheat prices and an expectation of increased wheat acres next year.
• Row crops are doing relatively well, given spotty precipitation and a general lack of moisture, however there was great concern as to how long the crops would hang on, given the heat wave predicted for this weekend and early next week. In many areas corn is just reaching the critical tasseling stage.
• Reports from several areas reflected heavy corn rootworm pressure this year. Generally insect problems are appearing about one week ahead of normal. Producers should be scouting from now through August for soybean aphids and watching for other insect pests as they develop.

Del Hemsath, Extension Educator in Dakota, Thurston and Dixon counties: Corn is tasseling in most areas. The heat and lack of moisture is stressing some corn and could impact yields. Soybeans still look good and are in the R1-R2 stage. Second cutting alfalfa is done, regrowth will need some rain. There haven’t been any reports of serious insect problems, although soybean aphids have been found in the area in low numbers. Subsoil moisture is becoming short, sandy areas and high clay areas are showing the heat and drought stress. Irrigators are running their pivots on corn.

Tamra Jackson, Extension Plant Pathologist, Lincoln: There have been reports of common rust of corn in south central Nebraska and gray leaf spot is beginning to develop in some areas. Recent rainfall and the increase in humidity will likely exacerbate both these diseases.

Bob Klein, Extension Crops Specialist, West Central REC: Wheat yields were all over the board this year, ranging from disease fields that weren't even worth harvesting to those yielding 110-120 bu/ac. You could really tell which producers did a good job managing their fallow – the top dryland yields were in fallow. Corn and soybeans look real good, especially irrigated fields, but some dryland corn is beginning to run out of moisture. While the corn is still hanging on in these areas, the upcoming high temperatures are likely to take a toll. Pastures and range are coming back to life following scattered rains earlier this week. We’ve seen some Stewart’s Wilt here.

Drew Lyon, Extension Dryland Crops Specialist at the Panhandle REC: – We’ve had some moisture and the summer crops are off to a good start, but 100+ temperatures will have an effect. A lot of proso millet was planted when there was a little rain and it’s coming up now. Several crops are reaching critical growth stages where you don’t want particularly high temperatures: dry beans are getting ready to flower and corn is about ready to tassel. People were pleasantly surprised by how well their wheat did, partly due to the low expectations they had for it. Generally wheat yields have varied, but test weights have been good.

Dave Stenberg, Extension Educator in Dawson County: We did get a little rain – one to three-plus inches – in the last couple weeks, but it was spotty. A couple weeks ago there was a smattering of hail. Irrigated soybeans are looking good and pastures and grasses revived a little with the recent moisture. No sign of rust or insects in the sentinel soybean plots. Grasshopper surveyors were in this week: not too many grasshoppers in Dawson or Custer counties, but Thomas County had a lot and there were some found in the Panhandle and along the Platte. Hoppers were in various sizes and stages. We sold a lot of hay last fall because we had a lot, but some producers wish they’d waited until now with the higher prices. We don’t have the hay acreage we used to, given the emphasis on ethanol in the area. Prices ranged from $80 to $90 for big round and square bales and over $100 for small bales. High quality hay with a high feed value is going for $125. More and more cow-calf producers are using distillers grains to supplement pasture feeding.

Ralph Kulm, Exension Educator in Holt County: Wheat harvest is done and overall we had a pretty good crop. I was amazed that wheat fields where the flag leaf was done a month ago turned out a whole lot better than we expected. For as bad as some of the fields looked earlier this summer, the harvest didn’t turn out too bad. Dryland fields were yielding 30-50 bu/ac with 17% protein and irrigated fields were yielding 80-105 bu/ac with good test weights and protein. I think we may see an increase in planted acres next year. Row crops are hanging on and corn is tasseling, but dryland crops are close to being in trouble if we don’t get rain soon. Pastures are in about the same condition and will need rain.