With a few warmer days earlier this week cover crop growth took off at this on-farm research study in Nemaha County with cooperator Daryl Obermeyer. Learn more about on-farm research results and opportunities in this week's CropWatch. (Photo by Laura Thompson)
CropWatch April 12, 2019
For flood response and recovery information for people, homes, businesses, and agriculture see flood.unl.edu.
This year some farms may qualify for crop insurance prevented planting payments due to flood damage. Here are planting dates for RMA coverage, as well as some unknowns and considerations as you assess the damage to your property.
Where there is significant flood damage to pastures, hayland, or alfalfa, should the rental rate be adjusted for 2019? This article provides guidance on adjusting rental rates, depending on individual circumstances.
If you're putting a log chain or tow strap in the tractor cab just in case you get stuck, even you know it’s too wet. Waiting a day or two for the soil to dry out some will provide better soil conditions for planting and stand establishment.
With the wet spring, producers need to evaluate soil moisture conditions before heading to their fields to clean up flood debris and fill in ruts, rills, and gullies.
Five video presentations are now available to address seed selection and production of annual forages that might be used to replace hay and pasture lost to the flood. Topics include successful forage production, nutrient value of the feed, and related government program.
Have a tough winter and recent disasters left your alfalfa hay stand a little wanting? Consider boosting hay yields by drilling in oats, spring triticale or spring barley now.
Nebraska's historic flooding in March was the result of more than just the “bomb” cyclone; rather, the long, cold winter played a huge role. Read more about how the climatic stream of events led to the catastrophe that followed in this month’s Climate Update.
This article addresses nitrogen application options for corn and availability of P and K from land-applied grain and fodder damaged by flooding. It supplements the previous article, Nutrient Management Issues for 2019.
The Nebraska Crop Scout Training set for May 8 is an introductory level training for persons who will scout for agriculture industry representatives and for farming operations.
Keeping detailed pesticide application records can aid in decision-making throughout the season and from year-to-year, as well as meet government requirements. Forms are available online.
On-Farm Research
Figure 1. When making decisions for your farm, check out some of the on-farm research results from 2018 to see what other growers learned.
An online database of results from the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network allows users to search and filter data from over 800 Nebraska on-farm research studies dating back to 1990.
Scotch thistle, which can now be found throughout much of North America, is an invasive weed from Eurasia threatening areas along rivers in western Nebraska. Early control efforts are essential to management.
A full-day Flame Weeding Workshop with presentations and demonstrations will be held Aug. 19 at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center near Ithaca.
This week USDA released its 2017 ag census data, noting that while the number of farms in Nebraska had dropped 7% from 2012 to 2017, the area of land in farms had only dropped 1%.
