August 4, 2017

Wheat growers can be taking steps now to protect and enhance their 2018 wheat crop, especially from damage such as the wheat streak mosaic virus shown here.

CropWatch August 4, 2017

Wheat Production

Severe wheat streak mosaic
Figure 1. Severe wheat streak mosaic in a grower’s field in Jefferson County on June 1. (Photo by Stephen Wegulo)

Protect Future Wheat Yields: Control the Volunteer Green Bridge

Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) problems have been extensive throughout the western Great Plains this year, significantly reducing the yield potential of many fields. A critical key in managing this threat in the next crop is elimination of volunteer wheat. Tillage or chemical weed control should occur at least one month before planting to allow host plants time to dry up and cease being a host.
Bunted wheat and loose smut of wheat.
Figure 1 (left). Bunted wheat grain containing spore masses of the stinking smut fungi. Figure 2 (right). Loose smut on a wheat head.

The Importance of Certified, Fungicide-Treated Wheat Seed

Planting clean, certified, fungicide-treated wheat seed is one of the first steps in assuring top yields from your 2018 wheat crop. Another is selecting resistant varieties, where available. Together these practices can help you more effectively manage seed-transmitted diseases of wheat.
Wheat variety trial field day
Figure 1. Producers examine wheat variety trials during a field day earlier this year.

Research Suggests Changes in Two Wheat Practices Could Lead to Increased Yield

Fine-tuning wheat production practices such as seeding rate and N application timing and selecting a mix of varieties for a location could significantly improve yield and end-use quality of winter wheat in Nebraska. This article highlights findings from two published articles on results from University of Nebraska wheat research in eastern and western Nebraska.

Soybean Production

Attendees at the 2016 Soybean Management Field Day
Figure 1. Cropping systems specialist Rodrigo Werle covers the latest research and technology to assist soybean producers during a 2016 Soybean Management Field Day near Cordova. (Photo by Deloris Pittman)

Soybean Management Field Days Aug. 8-11 at 4 Locations

The 19th annual Soybean Management Field Days will key in on how producers can manage operations to increase profits and better compete in a global economy. Speakers will look at effects of early season crop stress on production; insect, disease, and weed management challenges; impacts of new herbicide formulations, crop water use, and many other factors affecting yield this year.

Corn Production

Counties with confirmed southern rust

Continued Scouting Urged for Southern Rust Now in 26 Counties

Southern rust has now been confirmed in corn in 26 Nebraska counties. As we confirm more Nebraska counties with southern rust, it's important to know that the vast majority of rust reports have been sparse and no fungicide application was required. Continued scouting is urged, as injury can be critical to the grain-fill through dough stages.
NWS-Omaha map showing areas of below normal temperatures

Scout Corn Fields for Kernel Set

Considering the day to day and week to week variability in weather we’ve experienced and the wide range of regional conditions across Nebraska this year, scouting fields for kernel set and overall condition may be more important than ever. Check out these corn reports from across the state.
Corn pollen shed

High Humidity and Temperature and Corn Pollination

Will the high temperatures and humidity experienced in the last few weeks impact corn pollination and kernel set? This summary from an earlier CropWatch article, How Extended High Heat Disrupts Corn Pollination, sheds some light on the question.

Irrigation Management

Center pivot irrigation system watering a field
Figure 1. As you try to use stored soil water without wasting any new precipitation, the last few irrigations of the season require some of the most important water management decisions of the year. (Photo by Steve Melvin)

Predicting Late-Season Irrigation Needs

Given the ups and downs in temperatures this season, crops are likely to mature over a longer period than usual this fall, making it even more important to predict your crop's water needs. The last few irrigations of the season require some of the most important water management decisions of the year.

Soil Nutrient Management

Ephermeral gully in a corn field.
Field 1. Research indicates that when used in combination with other measures, manure can play a valuable role in increasing soil aggregate size and reducing soil erosion such as from the ephermeral gully in this corn field.

Using Manure as an Aid in Reducing Erosion and Runoff

By improving soil properties manure applications can help increase water infiltration and reduce soil erosion when used in combination with other soil conservation practices. Care needs to be taken, however, in how often and how much manure is applied to avoid P loss in runoff and erosion.

Farm Management

Farmers shaking hands

Terminating a Verbal Farm Land Lease

Some farm leases are not written, but are verbal or "handshake" agreements, the details of which may be remembered differently by both parties. This article addresses the deadline for giving termination notice for crop land leases (Sept. 1), how the requirements differ for crop and pasture lands, and links to sample written leases.
balance sheet

August Farm Finance and Ag Law Clinics

Openings are available for one-on-one, confidential farm finance and ag law consultations at five locations this month. An experienced ag law attorney and ag financial counselor will be available to address farm and ranch issues related to financial planning, estate and transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, water rights, and other relevant matters.

Research

Harkamal Walia discusses an experimental plan for the grant at the High Throughput Phenotyping facility
Figure 1. Harkamal Walia (second from left) discusses an experimental plan for the grant at the High Throughput Phenotyping facility at the Greenhouse Innovation Center on Nebraska Innovation Campus. From left is Toshihiro Obata, Hongfeng Yu and Qi Zhang. Not pictured are researchers Chi Zhang and Gota Morota. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication)

University Leads Research into Heat-Tolerant Crops

An agronomy professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has been awarded a $5.78 million National Science Foundation grant to explore the effects of high nighttime temperatures on wheat and rice. The stress of high nighttime temperatures can lead to severe losses in crop yield and quality. Researchers from Arkansas State University and Kansas State University will be collaborating on the project.

Crop Reports

Map of Nebraska reporting districts

PPDC Clinic Crop Disease Reports July 20-August 3

Crop diseases identified by district in samples submitted to the UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab from July 20 to August 3.
Painted lady butterfly
Figure 1. Several extension educators in eastern Nebraska this week reported unusually high numbers of painted lady butterflies, suggesting the likelihood that unusually high numbers of their caterpillars may be feeding on crops soon. (Photo by Jenny Rees)

Extension Crop Report August 4

Extension Educator Jenny Rees reports on crop status and what crop pests she's seeing in south central Nebraska fields.

Extension & IANR

Cover of new Extension publication, Foliar Fungicide Use in Soybean

New Publications from Nebraska Extension

New agricultural publications from Nebraska Extension include ones on fungicides for soybeans, a primer on cover crops, on-farm research results, agriculture in the Nebraska Panhandle, and ones on estimating soil water deep percolation or run-off.

Forage and Pasture Production

Nebraska Extension Events