Sorghum

Through a $2.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, a University of Nebraska–Lincoln research team is developing ways to maximize sorghum potentials across the United States.
Figure 1. Through a $2.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, a University of Nebraska–Lincoln research team is developing ways to maximize sorghum potentials across the United States.

Nebraska Team Merges Machine Learning, Plant Genetics to Maximize Sorghum Potential

August 22, 2019
Sorghum is emerging as a star player in the biofuels industry. With its water use efficiency, resistance to heat, and low cost of seed, it could outpace corn, with a little boost from improved genetics. To aid that, a UNL team was recently awarded a $2.7 million grant to work on a rapid, efficient method for characterizing its gene functions.

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Corn growing on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s East Campus. A new Nebraska study has quantified the benefits of irrigation among nine U.S. crops by analyzing yields from 1950 to 2015. (Photo by Craig Chandler/University Communication)
Figure 1. Corn growing on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s East Campus. A new Nebraska study has quantified the benefits of irrigation among nine U.S. crops by analyzing yields from 1950 to 2015. (Photo by Craig Chandler/University Communication)

Gap Growing Between Irrigated, Rainfed Crop Yields

August 13, 2019
A 65-year comparative analysis between U.S. yields of irrigated and rainfed crops has sounded a message to farmers, land managers and policymakers: Mind the gap. Researchers analyzed annual yields of nine crops on a county-by-county basis from 1950 to 2015.

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A mature wheat field in eastern Nebraska.
Figure 1. A wheat field about ready to harvest and, in the background, a corn field in eastern Nebraska. (Photo by Paul Jasa)

Crop Condition Improves Slightly; Progress Still Behind

July 22, 2019
Crop condition improved slightly for corn and soybean, while crop progress continued to lag previous years in all categories for the week ending July 21. Wheat harvest was 33% complete, well behind the five-year average of 76%.

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Pivot field at the West Central Research and Extension Center, site of one of the three divisions in this year's UNL-TAPS competition. (Photo by Krystle Rhoades)
Figure 1. Pivot field at the West Central Research and Extension Center, site of one of the three divisions in this year's UNL-TAPS competition. (Photo by Krystle Rhoades)

UNL-TAPS Field Tour this Thursday, June 27

June 19, 2019
View the variable rate irrigation system and the subsurface drip irrigation system used for this year's UNL-TAPS competition at the TAPS Field Tour on Thursday, June 27. There will be plenty of time to talk with contest participants and staff about this year's contest.

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USDA: Nebraska Corn, Soybean Planting Nearly Done

June 18, 2019
With 98% of the corn crop and 91% of the soybean crop planted as of Sunday, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska planting efforts moved down the home stretch.

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Planting plots in the 2019 UNL-TAPS program
Figure 1. Planting plots in the 2019 UNL-TAPS program at the West Central Research and Education Center near North Platte. (Photos by Krystle Rhoades)

Hybrid Selection Sets TAPS Contests Up for a Unique Year

May 30, 2019
Competitors in the three divisions of this year's UNL-TAPS contest have selected their seed and seeding rate. Additional research was added this year to look at production functions such as seed selection.

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Planting Still Lagging with Corn at 81%, Soybean, 56%

May 28, 2019
With cool, rainy conditions, planting progress was slow last week and remains behind normal, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service report for Nebraska. There were just 2.2 days suitable for fieldwork.

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USDA NASS: Corn Planting at 46%, Soybean at 20%

May 13, 2019
As of Sunday 46% of the state's corn was planted, up from 35% last week, but well behind the five-year average of 72%. Approximately 20% of soybean had been planted, up from 14% last week, but well behind the average of 32%.

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