Latest Issue

Corn & Soybean Production

Scout Emerging Corn for Insects; Don't Take Protection for Granted

As corn begins to emerge, be alert to the potential for damage from early season insects such as cutworms, wireworms, white grubs or wheat stem maggot. Seed treatments provide some protection, but can be overwhelmed in some circumstances, allowing losses.

Field trial comparing timing of soybean weed management — Figure 1. (left) Soybean without preemergence herbicide at V6 stage and (right) soybean with preemergence herbicide at V6 stage.

Preemergence Herbicides Delayed the Critical Time for Weed Removal in Soybean

Researchers tested two herbicide strategies in soybean to see how preemergence herbicides would delay the critical time of weed removal, likely reducing the number of herbicide applications needed in a season.

Q&A on Spring Herbicides and Fall Cover Crop Plantings

Grower question: Can I use a herbicide like Callisto, with mesotrione as its active ingredient, now and plant radishes and turnips for a cover crop in early September?

Corn plant damaged by wind May 10. — Figure 1. Corn plant with first leaf completely damaged, second leaf partially damaged, and tip of third leaf – the part exposed to the wind – partially damaged. Photo taken in eastern Clay County, May 15. Corn damaged by dust storm on May 10.

Assessing Effects of Recent Dust Storm on Emerged Corn

This week several corn fields in south central Nebraska were surveyed to assess damage and longer term effects on stands after last week's high winds and resulting dust storms. While many plants were seriously injured, many would be expected to recover.

Wheat Production

Windrowing forage wheat in south central Nebraska for processing into wheatlage. (Photos by Todd Whitney) — Figure 1. Cutting and windrowing forage wheat in south central Nebraska for processing into wheatlage. (Photos by Todd Whitney)

Wheat Forage Options and Considerations

This spring many Nebraska livestock producers facing low forage supplies may be looking for new sources, such as from wheat. This Nebraska research on harvest timing suggests how to optimize feed value from wheat forage.

Wheat field 5/17/18 — Figure 1. A healthy-looking wheat field in Box Butte County in the northern Panhandle on May 17. (Photos by Stephen Wegulo)

Wheat Disease Update

A survey of wheat fields in central, southwest, and Panhandle regions of Nebraska found little disease. In addition recent rains have helped alleviate moisture stress.

Wheat field exhibiting symptoms of sulfur deficiency. — Figure 1. Areas of yellow wheat on slopes in a field in Nuckolls County on April 27, 2010, typical of sulfur deficiency.

Addendum to May 11 Wheat Disease Update

To differentiate sulfur deficiency from nitrogen deficiency in wheat, look for field patterns. Symptoms of yellowing limited to certain areas is more typical of sulfur deficiency. In addition, symptoms of sulfur deficiency are more conspicuous when soil temperatures are cold as in early spring.

Alfalfa Production

Figure 1. Alfalfa weevil larvae and adults collected in a single 12-sweep sample in Goshen County, Wyoming by Dan Keener on May 11, 2018. Note that both large larvae and adults are present.

Scout Diligently for Alfalfa Weevils in May And June

High populations of alfalfa weevils have been found in alfalfa throughout the Nebraska Panhandle; lower populations were reported this week in central and eastern Nebraska. The economics would warrant continued scouting through June to provide for timely treatment, if necessary, and yield protection.

Farm Management

Photo of a calculator and financial records

Accounting for Agriculture: Who’s a “Related Person”?

Understanding the IRS definition of family and its implications for your taxes is important when doing business with "related persons." This is one in a series of articles on Accounting for Agriculture.

NFBI Averages Show Crop Operations Buoyed Up by Livestock in 2017

The 2017 averages from farm and ranch operations serviced by Nebraska Farm Business, Inc. were recently released and show more polarization among healthy and non-healthy financial situations among the group. With the downturn in crop prices, operations that did not adapt are struggling.

Nebraska Extension Events

June Field Days for Field Peas, Pulses, Wheat, Forage and Cover Crops

A variety of winter and pulse crops will be featured at a series of seven field days to be held across the state this summer. The crops exhibited and speaker presentations will be customized to local needs.

Crop Reports & Market Journal

Crop Reports from Extension Educators

Field reports from Nebraska Extension educators and specialists across the state.

Market Journal looks at WASDE, Crop Scout Training & Soil Pathogens

On this week's Market Journal Doug Simon from Tredas discusses the May USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates. He also talks about the current corn and soybean markets. Other segments look at the value of crop scout training, seedling diseases, and soilborne pathogens.