Loading corn silage after harvest
In addition to associated costs, producers considering harvesting drought-stressed corn should also evaluate the impact of doing so on future crop production before making a final decision.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Understanding Nitrate Scores, Corn Silage Pricing

September 6, 2023
Extension educators review the importance of understanding nitrate and nitrate nitrogen scores in forage test results, how to price corn silage to salvage drought-stressed crops, and selecting winter annual forages.

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Wheat field
Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA.

Crop Progress: Winter Wheat Planting Begins in Nebraska

September 6, 2023
Winter wheat planting began right on time last week in Nebraska, and development of corn, soybean, sorghum and dry bean crops continued at or above average pace as of Sept. 3.

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Loading corn silage
Silage harvesters can put out impressive volumes of chop, often overwhelming the packer with too many loads before they can get a proper pack. Remember, the speed of chopping should be determined by the packing speed, not the silage chopper.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Considerations for Corn Silage, Last Cutting Alfalfa and Forage Inventories

August 29, 2023
Best practices for packing and covering corn silage, timing the last fall alfalfa cutting, and taking inventory of fall and winter feed supplies.

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Corn in dent phase
Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA.

Crop Progress: Crop, Pasture Conditions Decline Following Record-setting Heat Wave

August 29, 2023
Nebraska crops experienced a slight decrease in condition after an intense heat wave scorched the Midwest for nearly a week.

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Grasshopper in field
With continued drought, producers may see grasshoppers moving from field edges into crops. Frequent scouting of fields will be critical in the coming weeks, particularly in alfalfa and late summer-seeded grasses, which are more susceptible to feeding damage..

Pasture and Forage Minute: Managing Grasshoppers, Pasture Weeds and Wet Hay

August 23, 2023
Insights on late summer grasshopper and pasture weed control, and options for producers putting up hay in wet conditions.

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Tasseling corn field
Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA.

Crop Progress: Nebraska Crop Conditions Fall Slightly

August 22, 2023
As of Aug. 20, crop conditions had declined minimally, but growth continued progressing at near or above average pace.

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Wheat field
Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA.

Crop Progress: Winter Wheat, Oat Harvest Wraps Up in Nebraska

August 18, 2023
As of Aug. 13, harvest for winter wheat was at 97% complete and oats, 89%. Crop conditions remained stable from the prior week.

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Pasture in drought
Though pastures that have had some precipitation are coming back, resist the temptation of grazing them hard this fall, as these plants need to build back reserves before winter.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Managing Drought-stressed Brome, Alfalfa Seeding

August 17, 2023
Insights on managing drought-stressed brome pastures this fall, planting windows and weed control for fall-seeded alfalfa, and registration information about upcoming field days.

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