March 9, 2018

Farm Management

Corn floor price by coverage level for 2018 revenue protection coverage

Considering New Crop Insurance Prices and Volatility Factors

With a March 15 crop insurance deadline quickly approaching for many growers, university ag economists discuss points to consider and how to interpret this year’s crop insurance prices and volatility factors.

Tax Reform Workshop March 14 at Scottsbluff

Western Nebraska farmers and ranchers are invited to a tax reform workshop March 14 to learn about the impacts of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on their 2018 tax liability.

Cornhusker Economics: Price Volatility Transmission between U.S. Biofuel, Corn, and Oil Markets

Many factors have been suggested as sources of increased volatility in agricultural commodity prices in recent years.This study finds that corn–ethanol links exist, but the effects are small and the impact is low.

Accounting for Agriculture: Personal Property Tax Relief Act

With new changes in tax laws and likely more on the way, if you have tangible property in several districts, consider this option for taking more than one personal property tax exemption. With a little more paperwork, you can keep more of your income on the farm or ranch.

Cover Crops

Figure 1. Rye cover crop planted in small sections of field for erosion control. Center photo shows a section of ground where cover crop did not establish with normally developing plants. Damaged corn plants were primarily restricted to areas where cover crop was present.

Wheat Stem Maggot in Corn: Plan on Scouting Your Cover Crop Fields This Spring

Wheat stem maggots were an issue for some eastern and southern Nebraska farmers planting corn directly into a growing cover crop, leading to questions about how to best manage this scenario in 2018. Learn why entomologists don't recommend adding an insecticide to the herbicide when terminating the cover crop.

A March 14 noon-hour webinar will explore the issue of wheat stem maggot damaging corn planted directly into rye or wheat cover crops. — A March 14 webinar will explore the problem of wheat stem maggot damaging corn planted directly into rye or wheat cover crops.

March 14 Webinar on Wheat Stem Maggot in Cover Crops

A noon-hour webinar on March 14 will explore the issue of wheat stem maggot damage in corn planted directly into wheat or rye cover crops in 2017. Learn more about what happened and how to plan for 2018.

Figure 1. Grazing cover crops planted after corn harvest can be a win-win situation for both crop and livestock producers. An April 4 Nebraska Extension field day will explore some of the challenges and opportunities and showcase recent university research on implementing the system in eastern Nebraska.

April 4 Conference to Focus on Capturing Value of Cover Crops as Forages

A Nebraska Extension conference and field day, “Capturing Value in Cropping Systems using Cattle,” will offer a unique learning and networking opportunity for cattle and crop producers in eastern Nebraska.

IANR & Nebraska Extension

Heuermann Lecture Looks at Local Impact of Global Trade March 13

What are the local impacts of global changes and what do they mean for Nebraska? These are two of the questions that will be addressed during the final Heuermann Lecture of the 2017-18 season March 13 in Lincoln.

Figure 1. Aaron Yoder uses an ATV simulator at the National FFA Convention to provide safety training. Yoder will be one of the course instructors for the Youth Tractor Safety and Hazardous Occupations Course. — Figure 1. Aaron Yoder uses an ATV simulator at the National FFA Convention to provide safety training. Yoder and other instructors will use the simulator in Nebraska this summer when teaching Youth Tractor Safety and Hazardous Occupations Courses.

Required Youth Tractor Safety Training at 12 Sites This Summer

This summer Nebraska Extension will be offering Youth Tractor Safety and Hazardous Occupations Courses for 14- and 15-year-olds who will be working on a farm other than their family's.

Market Journal Spotlights Women in Agriculture, Risk Management

This week's Market Journal explores the need for a written market plan for both new and old crop corn and soybeans, the drought in Argentina, and what attendees learned at the Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference.

Weather

US map showing winter departure from normal precipitation

Weather Patterns Mostly Uncertain Going into Spring Planting

Climatologist Al Dutcher looks at snowpack and temperature and precipitation patterns with an eye toward the weather outlook for planting season and a glimpse toward the extended summer outlook. While patterns are still uncertain, it appears a drier trend may be developing for the summer.

Pasture Management

Cattle in a field — Figure 1. Two options for determining pasture rental rates are per acre and per cow-calf.

Q&A: How do I determine a fair pasture rental rate?

What are some of the reasons why you would choose either a per-acre or a per cow-calf pair to determine pasture rental rate? Extension Forage Specialist Bruce Anderson discusses several benefits of each method.