July 27, 2018

Wheat Production

Photos of two very different eastern Nebraska wheat fields — Figure 1. Photos of both of these eastern Nebraska wheat fields were taken June 16, 2018 and show the contrast between wheat grown in Thayer County (left) in southeast Nebraska where precipitation was much below normal and a field in Washington County in east central Nebraska where there was sufficient soil mosture throughout the season. (Photos by Brad Heinrichs (left) and Nathan Mueller)

Recap of 2017-18 Eastern Nebraska Winter Wheat Crop

Winter wheat yields in eastern Nebraska were quite variable in 2018, ranging from 10 to 80 bu/ac, depending on precipitation. This review of the growing season examines some of the factors affecting yields in southeast, east central, and northeast Nebraska.

Corn & Soybean Production

Soybean cyst nematodes (red arrows) differentiated from N nodules

Now's an Opportune Time to Scout for SCN

July through August is a good time to check soybean fields for soybean cyst nematodes (SCN), the most devastating pest for soybean growers. Yield losses of 25-30% have been documented in fields with no visible injury on the soybean plants.

Leaf symptoms of brown stem rot of soybean

Crop Diseases Confirmed in Corn and Soybean July 16-26

Corn and soybean diseases confirmed by the university's Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic July 16-26.

Weed Management

Growers, Agribusiness Invited to Share Herbicide Concerns with EPA

The session offers an opportunity for EPA to hear from the ag industry regarding concerns about herbicides, particularly dicamba and atrazine.

Chart showing percentage use of pre-emergence herbicides among corn and soybean growers

Nebraska's Top Weed Problems and Most Common Herbicides

The results of a 2015 survey on Nebraska's top weed challenges and how growers and agribusiness were responding was recently published in the journal Weed Technology.

Farm Management

Land Management in the Next Decade Programs Start Aug. 13

Nebraska Extension’s upcoming workshop series, “Land Management for 2020 and Beyond,” will provide the latest information to landowners and tenant farmers to effectively manage land.

So You’ve Inherited a Farm, Now What? Programs Start Aug. 15

If you've inherited or received farmland and want to learn more about the best strategies for managing this asset, you'll appreciate this program from Nebraska Extension. It's being held at 5 sites across the state.

Crop Reports

Corn field damaged by drought — Figure 1. Corn suffering from drought conditions in Richardson County. With timely rains last week most of the state moved out of any drought designation from the US Drought Monitor, except for southeast Nebraska where all of Richardson and parts of Pawnee and Nemaha counties had abnormally dry or moderate drought conditions. This week, areas of south central Nebraska were redesignated as abnormally dry. (Photo by Laura Thompson)

Extension Crop Reports July 23-27

Extension educators and specialists report on what they're seeing across the state.

Market Journal: Livestock Markets, El Nino and More

This week's Market Journal includes segments on the livestock markets, identifying Palmer amaranth and common waterhemp, an El Nino Watch, cover crop research at the South Central Ag Lab, and the forecast for next week.

USDA NASS: Winter Wheat Harvest 82% Done, Ahead of Average

Nebraska corn condition rated 87% good to excellent, with 82% at silking, well ahead of the five-year average of 68%. Soybean condition rated 85% good to average with 78% blooming, near the average.

AgNews & Programs

Loren Giesler, new Head of the UNL Department of Plant Pathology

Loren Giesler Named Head of Plant Pathology Department

Loren Giesler has been named head of the Plant Pathology Department at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, effective Sept. 1, 2018. A long-time contributor to CropWatch, Giesler is a professor and extension plant pathologist in the department.

Flame Weeding Workshop to be at Haskell Ag Lab

A full-day flame weeding workshop will be held at the Haskell Agricultural Laboratory near Concord Aug. 13. Class size is limited and early registrations are welcome.

Proso millet, also known as broomcorn millet, at the High Plains Ag Lab near Sidney.

UNL, CSU Organize International Proso Millet Symposium for Aug. 8-11

This International Millet Symposium will focus on millet production in the United States and the world; millet breeding, genetics and genomics; and millet uses and products around the world. Nebraska is one of three states producing 95% of the US crop.

Flyer for 2018 UNL Haskel Ag Laboratory Open House

University Climate and Crops Open House Aug. 14 in Northeast Nebraska

All ages are invited to an open house at the Haskel Agricultural Laboratory near Concord to learn more on a variety of climate and ag topics and explore a range of activities from a mobile beef lab to robotics, a shooting sports trailer and water lab.

Participants in the 2018 Youth Crop Scouting event — Figure 1. Four teams participated in the 2018 Youth Crop Scouting contest, two of which will advance to regionals.

Youth Learn, Compete in Crop Scouting Contest

Youth honed their crop scouting skills while vying for top honors in the fifth annual Crop Scouting Competition for Nebraska Thursday at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center near Mead.