April 19, 2019

Weather & Climate

Nebraska map showing winter precipitation recharge.

Late April Forecast and Status of Soil Moisture and Temperature

With soil temperatures warming and above-average soil moisture across much of Nebraska, climatologist Al Dutcher looks at what to expect in the planting season forecast for late April.

Corn, Soybean & Sorghum Production

Layout of data-intensive prescription research conducted in Saunders County

Soybean Seeding Rates

Research from Nebraska farmers and Midwest universities suggests seeding rates for soybeans can often be decreased without affecting yield. These decreases could save growers $10 an acre in seed costs.

By replacing one solid closing wheel with a spiked one, closing the seed-vee becomes easier in a variety of conditions.

Avoiding Sidewall Compaction at Planting

Don't let this season's planting conditions get the better of your crop stand. Described here are four factors contributing to sidewall compaction and steps you can take to minimize the challenge.

Figure 1. Distribution of survey fields across the north central US. Red circles denote individual fields and the green area shows the region of soybean acres. (Source: USDA-NASS. (2019) USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), National Cultivated Layer).

Major Causes of Soybean Yield Gaps in Nebraska and 9 Other States Identified

A four year study in Nebraska and other north central states found that planting date was a leading factor explaining the gap between current soybean yield and potential yield. The gap ranged from 11% in irrigated fields in south-central Nebraska to 21% in dryland fields in eastern Nebraska.

Cover crops and weeds in early spring — Figure 1. When using a burndown treatment to terminate cover crops and weeds this spring, planting intervals often may negate the use of many dicamba products prior to soybean planting. (Photos by Amit Jhala)

Which Dicamba Product Should I Use as a Burndown Before Planting Soybean?

Several growers have asked: Can dicamba products such as Banvel, Clarity, and DiFlexx be applied to terminate broadleaf cover crop species and broadleaf weeds immediately before planting soybean?

Planting Interval of Corn, Soybean, and Sorghum after 2,4-D or Dicamba Burndown Application

With flood, cold, and wet conditions in March/April, many producers are facing a smaller than expected window for making their burndown herbicide applications and should carefully consider required planting intervals when selecting which product to use in which crop.

Flood Recovery

Figure 1. A mixture of warm- and cool-season cover crops. (Aaron Hird, NRCS)

Funds Available to Plant Severely Weather-Damaged Acres to Cover Crops

To help manage cropland damaged by Nebraska’s severe spring weather, NRCS is providing funds to plant cover crops on cropland acres. Cover crops prevent erosion, improve soil’s physical and biological properties, supply nutrients, and suppress weeds.

After flood waters recede, fields and farms have been left with layers of loose cornstalk debris that needs to be deposed of.

Stuck on Stalks? Consider These Options for Managing Loose Cornstalks

When flood waters receded in farm areas, loose cornstalks were left everywhere, often in wide areas more than 4 inches deep, complicating early season field work. Consider which of these management options might work best for your operation and conditions.

Wheat Production

It is Time to Start Scouting for Wheat Diseases

The wheat growing season in Nebraska has started and and regular scouting for early disease detection is recommended, and will be especially important this year due to the excessive moisture we've had.

Nutrient Management

Improving Manure Nitrogen Use Efficiency

A multi-year study of organic N used in Nebraska crop production validated sensor guided in-season N application as a means to efficiently use the N available from manure and other organic materials. See what benefits they found, as well as considerations for use.

Figure showing reductions in nitrification based on temeprature. — Figure 1. Reductions in nitrification over time based on temperature.

Anhydrous Ammonia Conversion

The environmental conditions allowing for anhydrous injury in 2018 are different then what we are experiencing this year. This brief looks at factors affecting the conversion from ammonia to usable soil nitrate.

Alfalfa, Forage, and Pasture Production

Nebraska Crop Residue Exchange now lists pastures

Crop Residue Exchange Now Available For Listing Pasture Rentals

Nebraska's Crop Residue Exchange can now list pastures available for rent. If you are in need of grazing resources, check out this website to identify opportunities.

Assessing And Reacting To Alfalfa Winterkill

Did the tough winter take out some of your alfalfa? Assessing alfalfa stands now and acting quickly can help you minimize long-term losses.

Take Advantage of Spring Soil Moisture for Alfalfa, Pastures

A full soil profile opens up your options for increasing pasture, alfalfa and forage yields by adjusting your fertility plan to take advantage of the moisture.

AgNews

Heuermann Lecture to Focus on Water Management for Food Security

Mark Rosegrant, research fellow emeritus at the International Food Policy Research Institute, will discuss managing water and agriculture for sustainable food security during the next Heuermann Lecture on April 30.

Research Updates

University of Illinois Study: Phenols in Purple Corn Fight Diabetes, Obesity, Inflammation in Mouse Cells

Scientists at the University of Illinois have developed new hybrids of purple corn containing different combinations of phytochemicals that may fight obesity, inflammation and diabetes, a new study in mice indicates.

Study of Sorghum's Defense Against Sugarcane Aphid Nets NSF Award

Sorghum, one of the top five cereal crops in the world, is now battling a devastating insect pest, the sugarcane aphid, in the US. Joe Louis, a UNL entomology researcher, has just received a $1.5 million NSF grant to investigate how to help sorghum naturally resist the aphid.