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Nutrient Management

Harnessing Residual Soil Nitrogen Following a Dry Season: The Key to Smarter Fertilizer Planning for the Coming Season

Higher residual nitrogen levels in the soil from this year's dry conditions might offer a valuable opportunity to optimize fertilizer planning, in turn reducing production costs and improving yields in 2025.

Tractor applies manure fertilizer to field — Whether you’re using high-tech precision equipment or adopting a DIY approach, incorporating manure into your precision fertility plan can lead to healthier soils and more balanced yields. (UNL Water photo)

Maximizing Manure Efficiency in the Fall

Learn how to turn manure into a high-value resource with these tips on using grid soil sampling and variable rate technology to calculate application rates for specific soil nutrient needs.

Research Updates

Cooperative Proso Millet Testing in Second Year

Discover how recent proso millet variety trials from UNL and CSU could help farmers boost yields and find the best options for semi-arid regions.

Extension Events

Wheat stem sawfly on wheat leaf — Featuring the latest research and unbiased insights on emerging methods, Nebraska Extension crop scouting clinics empower farmers to manage crops more efficiently and profitably, as early detection of pests lowers input costs, increases yield, and enhances their resiliency against crop production challenges like evolving pest pressures or unexpected weather changes.

Nebraska’s Notorious Crop Pests the Focus of Extension Scouting Clinic on Dec. 5

Unmask the source of your crop complications — attend extension's next crop scouting clinic in Grant to enhance your scouting expertise and thwart the efforts of wheat stem sawfly, bacterial leaf streak and more.

Snow on cornstalk field — UNL ag finance/economy experts Jim Jansen and Anastasia Meyer will share insights on 2024 cash rental rates, farm programs, and lease considerations in Nebraska during the Nov. 18 Land Management Quarterly webinar.

Ag Land Management Webinar Planned on Cash Rents, Farm Programs, Leasing

This free webinar on Nov. 18 is ideal for landowners, operators, and others interested in agricultural land trends and leasing guidance.

Combine and grain truck harvest corn field — The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) requires companies, including many farms and ranches, to report their beneficial ownership information. (Photo by Gary Stone/Nebraska Extension)

Nebraska Extension to Host 'Filing a Beneficial Ownership Interest' Workshop in Scottsbluff

The Corporate Transparency Act went into effect this year, requiring many business owners to file a BOI report by Jan. 1, 2025. This workshop will help attendees understand the process of filing a BOI report to satisfy compliance guidelines.

Crop Reports & AgNews

Winter wheat seedlings in field during autumn — Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA.

Crop Progress: Winter Wheat Condition Continues Decline

Winter wheat continued its slow decline due to dryness at the end of October, with another 6% of the crop reaching poor-very poor condition as of Nov. 3.

USDA Designates Nebraska Counties as Primary Natural Disaster, Drought Areas

Numerous Nebraska counties have been included in the designation for emergency loans to replace essential ag operation items. See this article for a breakdown on assistance by disaster type and county.

Forage Production

Stacks of hay — Hay quality varies yearly, impacting cattle feed needs and supplemental strategies. Accurate hay testing helps producers avoid underfeeding or overfeeding during winter, which can affect herd health and fertility and help manage costs effectively.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Grazing Bt Corn Residue and Testing Hay

Nebraska Extension Beef Educator Ben Beckman weighs in on the importance of informed feed management to optimize cattle health and productivity this fall and winter.

Cow grazes in corn residue — Cattle graze on nutrient-rich corn residue after harvest, maximizing forage resources before winter feed is needed.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Grazing Strategies for Residue and Winter Feed Considerations

Grazing grain sorghum stover, cornstalks and winter pastures can reduce feed costs and support cattle health, provided there's careful management to address risks like prussic acid and declining protein.

Financial Management

Woman filling out paperwork — Nebraska recently made changes to its property tax credit system with the passage of LB34 in 2024, affecting farmers and ranchers who rely on these credits, as it might lead to potential underpayment penalties. Learn more in the webinar linked below.

2024 Income Tax Updates for Farmers and Ranchers

Tina Barrett of Nebraska Farm Business, Inc., and Glennis McClure, a UNL extension educator, provide guidance on essential tax considerations to help farmers and ranchers navigate tax season.

Tractor in field — Programs like ARC and PLC help provide financial stability for farmers facing price fluctuations and yield challenges — critical support for producers in sustaining agriculture during tough market conditions. (CAP photo)

Sizing Up the Farm Bill Safety Net

UNL ag finance experts review the farm bill's safety net programs for farmers, highlighting increases in support levels due to higher benchmark prices, the impact of recent price drops on payment triggers, and the potential for increased payments in the upcoming years.

Farm Management

Two men and boy stand in potato field — Learn essential strategies for role definition, effective communication, financial management, succession planning, and conflict resolution in this webinar, provided by the Center for Agricultural Profitability.

Managing Family Members on the Farm Webinar

In this webinar, UNL Agricultural Economist Anastasia Meyer emphasizes creating a shared vision and balancing family dynamics with business goals for sustained success on the farm.

WildAg Podcast: Episode 3, Prescribed Fire with Brian Teeter

Nebraska Pheasants Forever's Brian Teeter discusses the benefits of prescribed fires for both producers and wildlife, and shares fire management methods that producers can adopt to safely and successfully promote biodiversity on their land.

IANR/Extension

Adam Leise mugshot — Adam Leise, the new Nebraska On-Farm Research Network director, began his duties in the fall of 2024.

Adam Leise Appointed as New Director of Nebraska On-Farm Research Network

A native Nebraskan, Leise has a lifelong background in agriculture and specializes in weed science. He began his duties as the OFRN director this fall.

Man stands at front of class — Dirk Charlson goes over a sectional aeronautical chart to participants in his UAV pilot class. Charlson, associate Extension educator for digital agriculture, teaches the requirements to obtain a P107 FAA drone pilot license to a group at the Gage County Extension Office in Beatrice. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing

Charlson Educates Ag Professionals on Their Way to Drone Pilot License

Charlson, a third-generation pilot, aims to increase technology adoption in fields like farming, construction and emergency response with his new drone teaching courses through UNL.

WildAg Podcast: Episode 2, Predator Management with Dr. John Carroll

Carroll, a UNL professor of wildlife ecology and management, chats with the WildAg hosts about predators and predator management in agriculturally-dominated landscapes.

Weather

Weekly Weather Outlook and Update: Nov. 7, 2024

A mix of beneficial rainfall and possible light snow is expected to continue improving drought conditions next week, with mild temperatures anticipated early in the week before cooler weather and more precipitation sets in.