August 14, 2020

Crop Production

Weather Impacts to Pollination and Kernel Fill in 2020

For this year having what seemed to be good pollination weather, some are surprised regarding how much tip back we’re seeing. It’s important to count kernels long as there may be more kernels than one realizes in spite of tip back occurring.

Evaluating Alfalfa Stands Part II - Renovation Options

Typically, alfalfa’s autotoxicity makes planting into established stands impossible. However, in new stands that are less than 12 months old, there is a chance that reseeding alfalfa in areas that are extremely thin or void of alfalfa may see success.

Towards 4Rs Nutrient Stewardship Concept: An Illustration of N Rate and Timing for Optimizing Corn Yield and Profits

The 4Rs is a nutrient management and water stewardship approach which emphasizes fertilizer use with the right source, right rate, right time, and right placement of fertilizers.

aerial view of wheat trial field — Figure 1. 2020 Areal image of spring wheat demo plot at Henry J. Stumpf International Wheat Center near Grant, NE.

Spring Wheat Research in Western Nebraska

Many farmers view spring wheat as a rotational crop with a purpose to break the weed and pest cycles, build up the residue cover and increase yield of corn the following years.

Extension Events

Horsch Equipment Founder Set to Be Keynote Speaker During West Central Virtual Water & Crops Field Day

Even though the Annual Water & Crops Field Day can’t be hosted at UNL’s West Central Research, Extension & Education Center as in the past years, the event will go on as a virtual event as most others have lately due to COVID-19.

#NField Observations and Chats – New Program Series From Nebraska Extension

We are expanding the N Field Observations & introducing “N Field Chat” sessions starting this Tuesday August 18 at 7 pm. N Field Chat is a live question & answer session on-line with experts from Nebraska Extension including both specialists & educators from throughout the state.

Farm Management

Early Forecasts Indicate Record Nebraska Corn Harvest

Based on August 1 conditions, Nebraska's 2020 corn production is forecast at a record 1.80 billion bushels, up 1% from last year's production. Soybean production in Nebraska is forecast at 307 million bushels, up 8% from last year.

Terminating a Verbal Farmland Lease

Some farm leases are not written but are verbal or 'handshake' agreements. The most common legal issue associated with verbal farm leases is how a lease may legally be terminated.

Crop Reports

Extension Crop and Pest Reports (Aug. 10-14)

Extension educators report on what they are seeing in the fields this week in York, Seward, Butler, Polk, Adams and Cheyenne counties.

N Field Observations for This Week

This week, Extension educators preview the upcoming 2021 Cover Crops and Soil Health Conference and offer tips on how to get prepared for chemigation training sessions beginning this month in Nebraska.

USDA Crop Progress Report, Aug. 10

Corn condition is rated 78% good to excellent, 67% dough stage and 14% dented, well ahead of last year and the average. Soybean condition is rated 81% good to excellent and 81% are setting pods, also ahead of average. Sorghum and dry edible beans continue to progress ahead of this time last year as well, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.