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Irrigation Management

Center pivot running over field — Research demonstrates that investing in nozzle replacement will not only mitigate potential losses but also provide an opportunity for substantial profit.

The Importance of Maintaining High Uniformity of Water Application of Center Pivot

For optimal crop production, it's crucial that a center pivot distributes water uniformly across the field. In this UNL project, researchers studied the impacts of center pivot maintenance in a low-yielding Nebraska field.

Ag Tech

Evaluation of Digital Ag Tools on Soybean Stand Count

Determining early-season soybean stand count is critical for informed decisions on potential replanting. This study explores the application and accuracy rate of drone technology for stand count assessments.

Extension Events

Drone spraying wheat field — Hosted at the Stumpf International Wheat Center in Grant, Nebraska, the Drones in Ag Workshop will include continuing education credits for certified crop advisors.

Nebraska Extension to Host New Drones in Ag Workshop Dec. 12

The workshop will feature presentations on drone use in agriculture, licensing requirements and regulations, aviation safety, imaging and spraying, and demos, including the opportunity for attendees to fly a small drone.

Researcher kneels in field to gather sample

2024 Soils School to Feature Fundamentals of Soils and Nutrient Management

During the two-day school in February, leading experts from the University of Nebraska will present research-based recommendations of primary crop nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

Farming family in field — Participants of this Returning to the Farm workshop will benefit from two additional virtual training sessions, scheduled for Jan. 11 and Feb. 8. See details below.

Returning to the Farm Workshop Dec. 8-9 in Grand Island

The two-day workshop will assist families and agricultural operations with developing financial plans and successful working arrangements to meet their unique needs.

Millet field near Sidney, Nebraska. (Photo by Chabella Guzman)

Nebraska Extension Schedules Farmland and Pasture Leasing Workshop

Hosted in Scottsbluff, this workshop will cover current Nebraska cash rental rates and land values, crop-share arrangements, terminating verbal leases, and other contract considerations.

Capitol building — The Corporate Transparency Act will require most U.S. corporations and limited liability companies to file basic information regarding the officers and major owners of the business, in an effort to prevent money laundering and similar criminal activities.

UNL Webinar to Cover Corporate Transparency Act Requirements for Farm and Ranch Businesses

Webinar participants will learn more about the act, why it was adopted and what information will need to be filed in 2024 for farm and ranch businesses.

Forage Production

Hay in stacks — Producers should be mindful of their hay feeding practices to reduce financial loss — with no restrictions, cattle can waste nearly 45% of fed hay.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Reducing Hay Losses, Understanding Relative Feed Value of Hay

Extension educators share insights on how to reduce fed hay losses and the differences between relative feed value and relative forage quality when testing grass hay.

Controlled burn of red cedar trees — A prescribed burn continues to be the most economical approach to controlling Eastern red cedar trees. (Photo by Troy Walz)

Pasture and Forage Minute: Red Cedar Control and Fall Hay Inventory

Recommendations for prescribed burning to control Eastern red cedar in pastures and rangeland, and fall hay inventory.

Pesticide Safety

This Week on N Field: Winter Pesticide Storage

It's critical to properly store your leftover pesticides during the winter to retain effectiveness, and checking the label is the first step. Watch this N Field for more pesticide considerations as the temperatures drop.

Weather

Weekly Weather Outlook and Update: Nov. 30, 2023

Next week will begin with a low chance of showers, followed by mild weather with temperatures in the 50s.

Subscribe to the CropWatch Podcast

Dr. Judah Cohen of Verisk Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Inc. discusses the process and impacts of arctic amplification, including extreme cold outbreaks in the central and eastern U.S.

Farm Management

Farm finance clinic banner — Though the farm finance and ag law clinics are offered monthly at sites across Nebraska, remote sessions are another option — call the number below to arrange a one-on-one meeting via phone or virtual platform.

Free Farm and Ag Law Clinics Set for December

The final farm finance and ag law clinic for 2023 will be hosted in Norfolk on Dec. 15.

Man at desk with tax prep paperwork — For more webinars on farm and ranch management, profitability, economics and farm survival for producers and ag industry professionals, visit the Center for Agricultural Profitability website.

2023 Income Tax Updates for Farmers and Ranchers

This webinar reviews 2023 tax considerations for ag producers, including crop insurance, deferral options for livestock sales, potential law changes and more.

Crop Reports & AgNews

Wheat Shows Good Promise Going Into Winter

A mild fall and favorable planting conditions set the scene for good winter wheat emergence in the Panhandle, but weather prospects from the latest winter forecast could complicate the crop's long-term outlook.

Combine in corn field — In addition to the U.S. territory ag census data collection, two ag census special studies that will provide more in-depth information on certain industries will be conducted this fall and winter: the 2023 Census of Aquaculture and the 2023 Irrigation and Water Management Survey.

USDA Announces 2022 Census of Agriculture Data Release Details

The 2022 Census of Agriculture data will be released online on Feb. 13, 2024.

Green wheat field — Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA.

Crop Progress: Winter Wheat at 49% Good-Excellent Condition

With harvest complete in Nebraska, USDA NASS crop progress reports will transition to a monthly publication schedule until the 2024 growing season begins in April.

Dirt road between corn and wheat fields — Historical crop production reports for Nebraska are available at USDA.

USDA NASS to Collect 2023 Crop Production and Stocks Data

Results of the survey will be published Jan. 12, 2024 in the Crop Production Annual Summary and the quarterly Grain Stocks report on USDA NASS's site.

Pivot irrigation in corn field — Irrigators can complete the 2023 Irrigation and Water Management Survey online or via paper questionnaires, which will be mailed in January. All surveys are due by Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.

USDA Invites Agriculture Producers to Share Input in 2023 Irrigation and Water Management Survey

Producer input through the survey will aid USDA’s efforts to promote efficient irrigation practices and long-term sustainability of water resources across the United States.

Tractor planting field — Historical farm labor data for Nebraska is available at USDA.

Northern Plains Farm Labor for 2023

The number of workers hired directly by farm operators on farms and ranches in the Northern Plains is down slightly from 2022, and wages are up across the board.

In Case You Missed It...

Southwest Nebraska producer's terraced field — A section of field from a 99-acre plot in southwest Nebraska, which has experienced significant yield decline after terraces were built. In this article, Soil Health Exchange professionals identify some of the potential causes and solutions for low-yielding terraced fields. (Submitted photo)

The Soil Health Exchange: Terrace Effects on Soil Fertility and Yield

The Soil Health Exchange team shares insights and potential solutions for a southwest Nebraska farmer who has observed a significant yield decline in a field after terraces were built in 2010.