Latest Issue

Please note: The next issue of CropWatch will publish on Sept. 13, 2024.

Weekly Weather Update for Sept. 5, 2024

Corn & Soybean Production

Black Spots in Corn? Southern Rust, Tar Spot and More

Differentiating between corn diseases can be difficult, but it's vital for effective long-term management. Read this article to learn more about the identifiable characteristics of Nebraska's most common and emerging corn diseases.

2024 Corn Yield Forecasts as of Aug. 27

There continues to be a high probability of near-average yields in irrigated corn sites and near or above-average yields in all but a few rainfed corn sites.

Soybean field at ground view — Soybean plants grown in narrow row spacing, which has been shown to suppress weed growth and increase crop yield, particularly when integrated with effective herbicide programs.

Does Narrow Row Spacing Help Suppress Weeds and Increase Yields in Corn and Soybean?

This article reviews the results of 35 studies conducted over the course of 60 years on utilizing narrow row spacing to control weeds and increase yields.

Irrigation Management

Weekly Irrigation Newsletter: Using Soil Water Tension Sensors to Schedule Irrigation in East-central Nebraska

All growers in the study applied their last irrigation event during the past week. Get a closer look at their total irrigation season data in this update for Week 6.

This Week on N Field: In-season Look at Your Pivot

Tips to quickly assess your center pivot’s performance while it is running.

Husker Harvest Days

Nebraska Extension Looking Forward to Meeting You at Husker Harvest Days 2024

Nebraska Extension invites you to step beyond observation and into action — spend a day immersed in the future of farming, where you not only learn cutting-edge techniques but also get your hands dirty with real-world challenges.

IANR/Extension

Man standing in field of corn and weeds — Kicking off the fall seminar series on Sept. 12, Amit Jhala will discuss the challenges of managing herbicide-resistant weeds through pollen-mediated gene flow — the process by which herbicide resistance genes are spread from plant to plant via pollen.

Agronomy and Horticulture Seminar Series Begins Sept. 12

Free to the public, the fall seminar series will cover a wide range of topics — herbicide-resistant weeds, crop genetics, sustainable agriculture, digital agriculture, the impact of droughts on public health, and more.

Four men stand together behind table — WNCC and UNL members met to sign the 2+2 agreement between the two institutions. (From left) Grant Wilson, WNCC executive vice president; Greg Dart, WNCC president; Mark Balschweid, UNL professor and head of the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication; and Troy White, UNL assistant professor.

UNL and WNCC Partner in Higher Education for Panhandle Youth

A new program will enable students in western Nebraska to seamlessly earn a bachelor's degree in ag education while staying close to home and addressing critical teacher shortages in their communities.

Subscribe to the CropWatch Podcast

Graham Christensen, Nebraska farmer and owner of GC-ReVOLT, chats about ag tech, transitioning to regenerative agricultural practices, and remaining profitable while shrinking the number of acres farmed.

2024 Nebraska Water Conference to Focus on Innovation, Collaboration

Hosted on the Nebraska Innovation Campus in Lincoln, the 2024 Nebraska Water Conference will feature discussions on key water issues and networking opportunities.

Crop Reports

Field of mature corn — Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA.

Crop Progress: Crops in Good Condition Despite Increased Dryness

Though drought has crept back into several regions of Nebraska, most crops and soil moisture levels are still in relatively good condition.

Beet piles near production facility structures — The beet yard at Western Sugar in Scottsbluff, as 90-plus temperatures keep activity low on Sept. 3. (Photo by Chabella Guzman)

Sugar Beet Harvest Begins, But Water Still Necessary for Maturing Crops

Nebraska's sugar beet harvest had an early and promising start this year, with record-high sugar content so far.

Field of maturing soybean under fog — Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA.

Crop Progress: Nebraska Crops on Track for Timely Harvest

Nebraska producers have wrapped up oat harvest, and all crops are progressing at or above average pace as the fall harvest season quickly approaches.

Sunflower field in full bloom — A sunflower field blooming in Box Butte County. (Photo by Chabella Guzman)

Full Soil Water Profile Encouraged to Finish Crops Before Harvest

As surface/canal water usually curtails mid-September, extension recommends that Nebraska Panhandle producers ensure their soil water profiles are full to sustain crops through to harvest.