October 6, 2017

Drone used to assess plant nitrogen status

Research Updates

Figure 1. Data collected by the multispectral sensor on this drone will be used to direct in-season nitrogen fertilizer applications, part of a producer research project funded by the North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. (Photos by Laura Thompson)

SARE Grant Aids Farmer in Using Drones to Test N Applications

Dean Stevens well knows the value of getting a bird’s-eye view of his crops to assess plant health, wind damage, and pest threats. Now, with the support of an NCR SARE grant, this southeast Nebraska farmer is using a drone outfitted with crop sensors to assess corn nitrogen needs and respond with variable rate in-season applications.

Establishing a Western Bean Cutworm Colony in the Laboratory

The western bean cutworm is an important pest of corn and dry beans in Nebraska and is a major focus of research at the Agroecosystems Entomology Laboratory at the West Central Research and Extension Center in North Platte. Because WBC has only one generation per year, researchers are now growing their own population to use in laboratory and field studies.

Researchers to Study Increased Land Use Efficiencies of Integrating Cattle and Crops

A University of Nebraska-Lincoln research team has been awarded a $1 million grant to investigate how to improve land use efficiency by integrating livestock and crop production systems. The project will be funded by the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research.

Wheat Production

Figure 1. At UNL’s Henry J. Stumpf International Wheat Center near Brule, studies are underway comparing winter wheat seeded at the optimal date (left) and wheat seeded late. (Photo by Bob Klein) — Figure 1. At UNL’s Henry J. Stumpf International Wheat Center near Brule, studies are underway comparing winter wheat seeded at the optimal date (left) and a later date. (Photo by Bob Klein)

Wheat Seeding Delay? Here’s How to Compensate

Even when you plan to seed winter wheat at the optimum time, weather, equipment breakdown, or other problems may prevent it. If you're in this situation, increasing your seeding rate, using narrow row spacing, and applying other practices described here can help you achieve a successful wheat stand despite the challenges.

Alfalfa & Forages

How Freezes Affect Forages

Frost can causes important changes in plant metabolism and composition, making forages a hazard to cattle for several days after a freeze.

Recommendations for Harvesting Alfalfa in October

Alfalfa's growing season is usually over by mid-October, but this year many fields received late season rain that's contributing to a substantial, high quality alfalfa crop. Here are some recommendations for a successful harvest when drying times are apt to be slow.

Soil Health

Chart depicting relationship between soil organic carbon and available water holding capacity in sandy soil.

The Water-Soil Health Connection

Cover crops, crop rotation, and other means for improving soil health are among the research areas pursued by the Soil Health Institute, a non-profit organization supporting soil stewardship and advancing soil health. Learn more about its work and the research it's spotlighting this week.

Farm Management

So You’ve Inherited a Farm, Now What?

If you've inherited or received farmland and want to learn some of the best strategies for managing it as an asset, get key information at a Nebraska Extension program being hosted at several sites this fall.

Annie’s Project Retreat Nov. 3-4 in Scottsbluff

Estate and transition planning will be the focus of an Annie’s Project Retreat Nov. 3-4 at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff. Course size is limited; please pre-register by Oct. 27.

Crop Reports & Market Journal

Figure 1. A grower using a Picket combine, specifically designed to harvest dry beans, and his regular combine took advantage of favorable conditions Sept. 30 to harvest dry beans in the Nebraska Panhandle. While conditions have generally been wet, this day there was little or no wind, and the dust hung in the air throughout the field. (Photo by Gary Stone)

Precipitation Slows and Complicates Dry Bean Harvest

Dry bean harvest in the Panhandle is going slow this season. In most years, dry bean harvest is completed by the end of September; however, this year precipitation events over the last several weeks have slowed harvest and have now brought it to a standstill.

Nebraska map of PPDC reporting districts

Crop Diseases Confirmed by PPDC Sept. 27-Oct. 5

Anthracnose in corn and soybeans was among the diseases diagnosed by the university's Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic in the last two weeks. See their report for soybean, corn, hops, and alfalfa. Clinic services will be reduced Oct. 12-19.

Market Journal: Grain Market Analysis & Syngenta Lawsuit Update

On this week's Market Journal John Meuret discusses the slow pace of harvest in Nebraska and explains how shipping issues have created problems in the eastern Corn Belt, in one of several featured segments.

Corn Production

In Case You Missed Them: Stalk quality can deteriorate quickly during wet weather in the fall. Two recent CropWatch articles look at ear rot and stalk rot diseases as well as how to scout and evaluate stalk strength to prioritize which fields to harvest first.