The heat and drought in areas of the State are rapidly moving Nebraska’s 2020 soybean crop along. Growers have been asking how to determine late season growth stages for last irrigation of the season and for determining maturity.
How did the 2019 growing season affect the date of R7 (PM) in soybean varieties differing in MG (1.1 to 4.1) and planting date in eastern Nebraska? Take a look at graphs showing seasonal vegetative (Vn) and reproductive (Rn) development versus calendar date and compare the data with field photos.
The corn season started late in many areas and is likely to end early with this weekend's lows. How much dry down can you expect to occur in the field and what are the risks of waiting? These recommendations and an online corn dry down calculator from ISU may help with decision-making.
Figure 1. After recent rains, water stands in the border of this Filmore County soybean field. While wet conditions across much of the state will complicate harvest, taking steps to avoid compaction can reduce the challenges for future crops. (Photo by Brandy VanDeWalle)
With wet soils in many areas and heavy harvest equipment, compaction is likely to develop, affecting crop growth in coming seasons. Taking these 10 steps can help reduce compaction this harvest.
Stay safe from harvest equipment and field fires by maintaining equipment before you start, cleaning out embedded residue as you go, and making preparations to respond should a fire occur.
With extended wet conditions this season, every precipitation event going forward has the potential to bring harvest activity to a grinding halt. The big question is how extensive will the delays be. Climatologist Al Dutcher offers good and bad news for some.
Warm temperatures and continued precipitation in much of Nebraska in September further complicated crop production. Extremes ranged from 34°F at Harrison to 99°F at Indianola. Highest one-day rain was 4.42 inches at Ainsworth.
Freezing temperatures cause metabolic and cellular changes to our forage crops — prussic acid formation and nitrate poisoning are the biggest concerns. Learn more about these issues and how to avoid them.
From Water.unl.edu: When applying anhydrous or an ammonia-rich manure, wait until soils start to cool. Soil temperature affects how quickly soil microbes will process ammonium nitrogen to nitrate.
Crop Research
Figure 1. Nebraska’s Andrea Basche and a colleague have found that planting perennials and cover crops may substantially improve the ability of soils to soak up heavy rainfall, potentially alleviating the most severe effects of flooding and drought. (Photo by Greg Nathan, UNL)
A synthesis of 89 studies across six continents has helped clarify which agricultural practices hold water when it comes to helping soils soak up precipitation — a factor critical to mitigating floods, outlasting drought and stabilizing crop yields.
Field demonstration plots near Grant compare water availability, crop water use efficiency, yield, and other factors when wheat is planted after fallow, field peas, chickpeas, and soybeans.
From dry beans to honey, specialty crops are an important part of Nebraska agriculture. This week USDA awarded nearly $675,000 for projects designed to strengthen the specialty crop industry in Nebraska.
The new Family Farmer Relief Act of 2019 revises the federal bankruptcy code to increase the amount of total debt a producer may have and be eligible for Chapter 12 bankruptcy protection from $4.4 million to $10 million.
Do you have the reliable financial records you need to make important farm management decisions. A new Extension series will help you learn how to record and analyze your data for more informed decision making.
Laila Puntel's focus will be on improving efficiency and profitability of soil nutrient management, particularly through the use of precision ag technologies. She will be conducting research at university centers and one-on-one with growers through on-farm research.
