University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

June 15, 2007

Field Updates

Tom Dorn, Extension Educator in Lancaster County: Wheat has headed and is filling. Rust and other diseases have killed 90% or more of the leaf tissue in most wheat fields; however, the stems, glumes and awns are still green in most cases. I am fairly certain there was wheat scab in a field I was in this morning. Individual florets were straw colored or perhaps slightly pinkish at the base while unaffected florets had green glumes and awns. On some heads, all florets above a given point were dead.

Keith Glewen, Extension Educator in Saunders County: We're seeing disease in wheat, similar to what was reported in Lancaster County. Some of the dead heads in a field I scouted can be attributed to wheat stem maggot. In one field almost 5% of the stems were infected. In an alfalfa field this week there was significant stunting of growth in a newly seeded field due to leafhopper infestation. First cutting alfalfa yields were reported to be 40-50% less than 2006 harvest. Finding high quality first cutting alfalfa will be difficult. Weed infestations have been more of a problem this year in alfalfa due to the Easter freeze which set back the alfalfa and allowed the weeds in some fields to get a foothold.

Del Hemsath, Extension Educator in Dakota, Dixon and Thurston counties: All soybeans are planted and 90% have emerged. Corn is rapidly growing, some in the 3- to 4-leaf stage and some in the 7- to 8-leaf stage. Ninety percent of first cutting alfalfa is off the field and there is some concern for alfalfa weevil larva and adults feeding on the regrowth. Weed control has been difficult because of windy conditions and some have sprayed in less than ideal conditions. Pasture growth has slowed for the cool season, warm season grasses are just beginning to show some green. Oats are looking good, but there are some disease problems. The few wheat fields in the area are showing some rust problems.

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