July 10, 2020

Pest Management

Western corn rootworm beetle feeding on a leaf of corn

Western Corn Rootworm Beetles Emerging, Time to Scout

Western corn rootworm beetles began emerging in southeast and south central Nebraska at the end of June. Beetles emerge somewhat later in northeastern and western Nebraska.

Scouting and Treatment Recommendations for Western Bean Cutworm

Scouting should be prioritized in fields that are at the preferred growth stage for egg-laying and/or do not have the VIP3A Bt trait to protect them from western bean cutworm injury.

submission cooler outside the plant and pest clinic

Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic – Updated Submission Procedures

As the growing season continues, the Plant & Pest Diagnostic Clinic is here to serve Nebraska growers by helping correctly identify weeds, insects, and plant diseases that are popping up. Due to Coronavirus, there are new recommendations for submitting samples.

Industrial Hemp Tolerance to Soil-applied Herbicides

Nebraska legalized industrial hemp in 2019, which created much interest in researching various aspects of hemp production, including weed control. A recent study looked at hemp tolerance to 18 soil-applied herbicides commonly used for preemergence weed control in corn or soybean.

Farm Management

2020 Nebraska Farm Custom Rates Report Published

A survey of agricultural custom operators is conducted in Nebraska every two years to determine the current rates charged by custom operators for machine hire services and other work they provide for neighboring farms and ranches or as part of a business enterprise.

soybean field that used pre-emergent herbicide

Revenue Protection Crop Insurance and Hedging in 2020

With the uncertainty revolving around COVID-19, grain marketing has come to the forefront of many producers’ minds. "At current price levels should I hedge my crop?”

sunset of nebraska farm — Craig Chandler | University Communication

Nebraska Farm Real Estate Values Increase for First Time Since 2014

Nebraska agricultural land values increased 3% over the last year marking the first annual increase since land values in the state peaked in 2014.

Free Farm and Ag Law Clinics Set for July

Free legal and financial clinics are being offered for farmers and ranchers across the state in July 2020. The clinics are one-on-one meetings with an agricultural law attorney and an agricultural financial counselor.

Crop Production

yield forecast network of sites across the upper midwest

2020 Corn Yield Forecasts: Approach and Interpretation of Results

The Yield Forecasting Center (YFC) will provide real-time information on corn phenology and forecasts of corn yield potential every three weeks, starting in mid-July, to aid growers and ag industry in making management, logistics, and marketing decisions through the 2020 season.

single crop and mixed cover crops in field

What Are the Benefits of a Cover Crop Mix Versus a Single Species Cover Crop?

The decision whether to mix species or plant a single species as a cover crop depends on your goals, time of the year, and costs.

Drought and Poor Stands Will Make Weed Control in Wheat Stubble Difficult This Year

With shorter and thinner wheat this year, weed emergence and growth will be accelerated, making it essential to closely watch for weed developments and spray at the proper time noted on the label to achieve maximum control.

New NebGuide: Factors to Consider when Multiple Herbicide-Resistant Soybean Traits Coexist

Nebraska Extension has release a new NebGuide (G2326) to help growers understand the various herbicide-resistant soybean traits that are available commercially.

Nebraska Extension & IANR

Cody Creech being recorded in a field — A video camera took the place of live audiences for the High Plains Ag Lab Virtual Field Day, as Cody Creech, dryland cropping systems specialist and research supervisor at HPAL, discusses one of the research projects underway at the plots north of Sidney.

High Plains Ag Lab Virtual Field Day Now Online

Social distancing ruled out an in-person field day this June. However, the Virtual Field Day website has a collection of videos and other online presentations (such as narrated Powerpoints) that convey the same type of information that would have been available in person.