May 25, 2018

Weed Management

Consider Weed Growth Stage for Optimum Control with Liberty Application

Consider these three guidelines to ensure maximum weed control with Liberty in LibertyLink corn and soybean and view a time-lapse video demonstrating how quickly waterhemp regrows when treatment occurs after the optimal weed height of 4 inches or less.

Weed Management and Cover Crops Field Day Flyer

Weed Management and Cover Crop Field Day at SCAL

View demonstrations of new technologies and herbicides for weed control in corn, soybeans, and sorghum and cover crops effects on soil health and pest management at the June 27 Weed Management and Cover Crops Field Day. It will be held at the South Central Ag Lab near Clay Center.

Study: Efficacy of Herbicides in Buckbrush Control

A two-year weed management study in northeast Nebraska evaluated herbicide options for controlling buckbrush, a common perennial weed in Nebraska pastures and rangeland. One herbicide provided year-round control, while several others provided season-long control.

Cottonwoods — Figure 1. Cottonwood infestation in sub-irrigated meadow. This photo was taken during the period of high water table in early spring. (Photo by Stevan Knezevic)

Research Findings on Chemical Control of Cottonwood

Cottonwood offers many benefits, but also can be an invasive and difficult-to-control weed. Nebraska researchers studied control efficacy of eight herbicides over two years and found three products provided total control more than a year; however, they also noted a caution for areas with high water tables.

Wheat Production

Windrowing forage wheat in south central Nebraska for processing into wheatlage. (Photos by Todd Whitney) — Figure 1. Cutting and windrowing forage wheat in south central Nebraska for processing into wheatlage. (Photos by Todd Whitney)

Wheat Forage Options and Considerations

This spring many Nebraska livestock producers facing low forage supplies may be looking for new sources, such as from wheat. This Nebraska research on harvest timing suggests how to optimize feed value from wheat forage.

Wheat field in Saline County at heading — Figure 1. A wheat field in Saline County at the heading growth stage with no diseases on May 23. (Photos by Stephen Wegulo)

Wheat Disease Update: Southeast Nebraska

A survey of wheat in southeast Nebraska found diseases generally absent or at very low levels, mainly due to recent dry conditions. Continued scouting for foliar diseases is recommended, especially in areas that receive rainfall and where the wheat crop has not yet headed.

Farm Management

Syngenta GMO Settlement Claims Due October 12, 2018

Corn producers and eligible landlords have until Oct. 12 to file claims on the Syngenta GMO Settlement. Here's an outline of the claims process and what growers need to do.

Tractor — Figure 1. Considering a new equipment purchase? Accounting for new ag equpment purchases changed with the new tax law. It might be a good time to visit with your ag accountant about the effect of losing the "Like Kind Exchange."

Trading Equipment Without Like Kind Exchange

Learn how the new federal tax law affects depreciation and basis with new ag equipment purchases. This is one in a series of articles on accounting considerations for ag operations.

Plant Disease

Sunflower Rust May be Problematic in 2018 — Be Aware!

Unusually early findings of rust in volunteer sunflower in western Nebraska indicate the potential for a major outbreak much earlier than usual. Growers are encouraged to scout within the first few weeks of emergence and treat where necessary.

Dry rot canker in sugarbeet — Figure 1. Surface tissues of the dry rot canker rhizoctonia disease first identified in sugarbeet in 1920 are marked by a distinctive series of concentric circles. (Photos by Bob Harveson)

Dry Rot Canker – Obscure, but Returning Rhizoctonia Disease

Dry rot canker, one of several rhizoctonia diseaes of sugarbeet, has been relatively obscure since first being identified almost a century ago. New technologies, however, have helped to differentiate it from the more common Rhizoctonia root and crown rot disease.

Water Management

Take Time to Set Up Nebraska Ag Water Management Equipment

As you finish planting, consider installing ETgages and soil moisture sensors before crop roots interfere. Then join the hundreds of farmers contributing their data each week to the Nebraska Agricultural Water Management Network, a valuable tool for managing your crop.

Alfalfa & Forage Production

Cutting hay — Figure 1. Research has shown as much as a 10-fold increase in drying rate as solar radaiation changes from heavy cloud cover to full sunlight.

Three Steps to Hasten Hay Dry-Down

It's hay-making season and growers are looking for several warm, sunny days and these three practices to hasten dry-down.

Late May Ideal for Evaluating Hay and Forage

Memorial Day weekend is a benchmark for examining the status of hay and forage programs for the year and making adjustments where necessary.

Crop Reports & Market Journal

Extension Educator Crop Reports

Extension educators share tweets, photos, and reports of current crop conditions and current drought status.

Early planted corn field in the Platte River Valley near Fremont

Half of Nebraska's Corn Crop is Up, 25% of Soybean

Corn planting in Nebraska was 88% complete Monday, equal to the five-year average, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. More than half the crop had emerged, slightly ahead of average. Soybean planting was 68% done, ahead of the 51% average.

Market Journal on Early Season Insect and Weed Management, Markets

View Market Journal segments on early season insect and weed management, June field days, and the markets

Upcoming Programs

Map of 2018 Winter Wheat Field Day Sites in Nebraska

2018 Winter Wheat Field Days at 11 Sites

Winter wheat field days will be held at 11 sites in Nebraska this summer, starting May 30 in Jefferson County and ending June 22 in Box Butte County. Each site will feature 25-50 released and experimental wheat varieties from companies selling wheat seed in Nebraska .

June Field Days for Field Peas, Pulses, Wheat, Forage and Cover Crops

A variety of winter and pulse crops will be featured at a series of seven field days to be held across the state this summer. The crops exhibited and speaker presentations will be customized to local needs.

June 6 Field Tour on Cheatgrass Management Research

The UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center will host a field tour on cheatgrass management research on June 6 in Scottsbluff.

Farm Finance and Ag Law Clinics in June

One-on-one, confidential farm finance and ag law consultations are available at five sits this June to address farm and ranch issues related to financial planning, estate and transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, and water rights.

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.