May 24, 2019

Corn and Soybean Production

Scout Emerging Corn for Insects; Don’t Assume Protection

As corn begins to emerge, be alert to the potential for damage from early season insects such as cutworms, wireworms, white grubs, or other insects.

Example of bioassay used for monitoring ECB susceptibility to Bt protein

First ECB Resistance to Bt Corn Reported in Canada

The first case of field-evolved resistance of European corn borer (ECB) to Bt transgenic corn has been reported in Canada. What does this mean for Nebraska corn farmers and how can they help maintain resistance here?

More on Preventing planting of corn, late planting, and considerations for unplanted acres

Considerations After The Final Corn Planting Date

If wet conditions kept you from getting all your corn planted by the final RMA planting date for Nebraska corn, there are other options to consider. This article was revised June 7 to clarify and correct information on planting another crop on ground claimed for prevented planting for corn. On June 20, 2019, RMA changed the deadline after which haying and grazing would be allowed on cover crops planted on prevent plant acres from November 1 to September 1.

Figure 1. University of Wisconsin researchers studied drilling cover crops into V5 corn. (Source: University of Wisconsin Integrated Pest and Crop Management)

Interseeding Cover Crops into Corn or Soybean

In some years it may be difficult to well establish a cover crop after corn harvest. This article surveys current research on interseeding into an established crop, further considerations, and how to test this practice on your farm.

Wheat Production

Figure 1. A grower’s wheat field in Webster County with low disease levels on May 23. (Photos by Stephen Wegulo)

Wheat Disease Update

Several diseases were found in wheat in south central and eastern Nebraska this week and scab is likely to develop, given current conditions. Growers are encouraged to decide now as to whether to treat as once it appears, it's too late to treat.

Figure 1. Wheat flowering in Clay County

Wheat Update

Wheat growth is running 7-10 days behind normal across much of the state, which may push the grain-fill period into some of the hottest days of the wheat season. Delayed development likely helped most wheat escape injury from snow and low temperatures early this week.

2018 Saline County Wheat Variety Trials — Figure 1. Like these 2018 Wheat Variety Trials in Saline County, the 2019 trial just north of Fairbury will offer growers an opportunity to view current and experimental varieties and talk with wheat experts from the university and industry. (Photo by Randy Pryor)

Wheat Variety Tour June 13 Near Fairbury

The first of the 2019 Winter Wheat Variety Plot Tours will be held Thursday, June 13, north of Fairbury. Growers and agribusiness are invited to view and compare current varieties and experimentals and hear presentations by wheat researchers.

Weed Management

South Central Weed Management Field Day is June 26

On-site demonstrations of herbicides for weed control in corn, popcorn, and soybean and a study on terminating cereal rye before and after planting soybean are among those to be featured at the university's South Central Agricultural Laboratory near Clay Center.

Cattle grazing on cheatgrass and ungrazed rangeland — Figure 1. Cattle grazing on cheatgrass (left side of fence) and ungrazed rangeland (right side of fence). A tour of cheatgrass management trials at the university's Panhandle Experimental Rangeland will be Thursday, June 6.

Cheatgrass Management Field Tour June 6 at Scottsbluff

A tour of cheatgrass management trials will be 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, June 6 at the University of Nebraska's Panhandle Experimental Rangeland.

Farm Management

Farm Finance and Ag Law Clinics this June

Meet one-on-one with an ag attorney or ag financial counselor at one of these seven clinics being held in June. Sessions are free and confidential; appointments need to be made in advance.

Crop Report

(Photo by Nathan Mueller) — Photo by Nathan Mueller

Only 27% of Corn, 7% of Soybean Emerged

With several sunny days last week planting progressed with 70% of corn and 40% of soybeans now planted. Continued progress will likely be delayed in many areas where there was rain and even snow early this week.

Forage Production

Seed Supply of Summer Annual Forages May be Short

Several factors this spring may be limiting alfalfa and hay production, making summer annual forages a good option to ensure livestock feed is available later. If you're consider this, be sure to obtain the seed you want before supplies tighten.

Nebraska Extension & IANR

Mitiku Mamo - photo links to full story — Mitiku Mamo

New Crops and Water Educator in Northeast Nebraska

Welcome to Mitiku Mamo, the new Nebraska Extension educator for water and cropping systems in northeast Nebraska. His office will be in Dixon County at the Haskell Agricultural Laboratory near Concord.

Yeutter Institute to Co-Host Symposium on Agricultural Trade

“Global Economic Growth and Agricultural Trade: Prospects, Policies and Perspectives” is the focus of a symposium June 4 at the Graduate Hotel, 141 N. Ninth St. in Lincoln. Luke Chandler of Deere and Company is the keynote.