July 26, 2019

CropWatch July 26, 2019

Irrigation

An aerial view of the sink holes created by the July 17 tunnel collapse on the Gering-Fort Laramie/Goshen Irrigation District canal.
Figure 1. An aerial view of the sink holes created by the July 17 tunnel collapse on the Gering-Fort Laramie/Goshen Irrigation District canal. The larger sink hole is approximately 100 feet across and 50 feet deep. (Photo by Justin Burkart, Goshen Emergency Management Association)

Update on Efforts to Restore Water to North Platte River Valley Canal

The Gering/Ft. Laramie Irrigation District and the Goshen Irrigation District (Wyoming) held stakeholder meetings this week to discuss the status of canal damage and repairs and how to restore irrigation water to 100,000+ acres. Initial canal repairs have started, with tunnel repairs expected to start soon.

Corn & Soybean Production

Southern rust on a corn leaf

Southern Rust of Corn Confirmed in Southeast Nebraska

Southern corn rust was confirmed on corn leaf samples from Fillmore, Nuckolls and Johnson counties in southern Nebraska this week. Warm, humid conditions may favor disease development, so fields in this area should be monitored frequently in the coming weeks.
2018 Soybean Management Field Day at Cedar Bluffs site
Figure 1. At this year's Soybean Management Field Days, sponsored by the Nebraska Soybean Checkoff, growers will learn how to increase profits while becoming competitive in the global market. Several speakers will address research on integrating cover crops into soybean rotations. (Photo by Lana Johnson)

Nebraska Soybean Management Field Days at 4 Locations Aug. 13-16

Soybean Management Field Days Aug. 13-16 offer valuable, research-based information to help growers stay competitive in the global marketplace and increase profits while meeting the world's growing food and energy needs right here in Nebraska.
2018 Crop Management Diagnostic Clinic on Soils
Figure 1. Extension Educator Keith Glewen demonstrates how soil layers are affected by various practices at the 2018 Soil Health Clinic. (Photo by Deloris Pittman)

August Clinics Offer In-Field Training on Soil Health, Corn and Soybean Production

Nebraska Extension is offering in-field training opportunities at three Crop Management Diagnostic Clinics: the Soil Health Clinic Aug. 22, the Midwest Soybean Production Clinic Aug. 27, and the Midwest Corn Production Clinic Aug. 28.

Cover Crops

Testing germination of ryegrass seed
Testing germination of ryegrass seed

Can I Use or Sell Seed from my Harvested Cover Crop?

The answer to this question depends on several factors, including whether the variety is protected and federal cost-share funds were used to plant it. Depending on those answers, you may be able to sell it, but only after meeting several state regulatory requirements.

Aug. 1 Deadline for MFP Aid for Planting Cover Crops

Producers affected by natural disasters who filed prevented planting claims may be eligible for a $15 per acre payment for planting MFP-eligible cover crops by Aug. 1, 2019. This can be used in conjunction with the NRCS cost-share program.

Farm Management

Card pomoting August Ag Law Clinics

Farm Finance and Ag Law Clinics this August

Free legal and financial clinics are being offered for farmers and ranchers at six sessions across the state in August. The clinics are one-on-one meetings with an agricultural law attorney and an agricultural financial counselor.

Crop Reports

A mature wheat field in eastern Nebraska.
Figure 1. A wheat field about ready to harvest and, in the background, a corn field in eastern Nebraska. (Photo by Paul Jasa)

Crop Condition Improves Slightly; Progress Still Behind

Crop condition improved slightly for corn and soybean, while crop progress continued to lag previous years in all categories for the week ending July 21. Wheat harvest was 33% complete, well behind the five-year average of 76%.

Extension Crop Reports (July 22-26)

Crop reports from Nebraska Extension educators and specialists across the state are added as they become available throughout the week.

IANR & Nebraska Extension

Kyle Koch
Kyle Koch

Kyle Koch Named New Insect Diagnostician

Kyle Koch has joined the Department of Entomology as the new Nebraska Extension insect diagnostician and assistant extension educator.
Aerial view of field trials at the university's South Central Agricultural Lab near Clay Center.
Each year more than 100 applied field research trials are conducted at SCAL by Nebraska faculty and USDA Agricultural Research Service scientists.

View Latest Field Research at South Central Field Day Aug. 1

Research on cover crops, sensor-based nitrogen management, herbicide-resistant weeds, and the latest trials of insect, disease, and weed management will be in the spotlight Aug. 1 at the South Central Agricultural Lab Field Day. Multiple tours allow guests to focus on their interest areas.
Ron Rosati

NCTA Dean Ron Rosati to Retire

Ron Rosati, dean of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, is retiring as of Aug. 5. He plans to continue his service to Nebraska as senior adviser for the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture in Kigali, Rwanda.