The recently completed 2020 Nebraska Custom Rates Survey and accompanying report summarize current rates charged for specific machinery operations and custom services across the state.
Cutting and windrowing forage wheat in south central Nebraska for processing into wheatlage. (Photos by Todd Whitney)
Several things need to be considered when deciding what value to place on standing forage. Forage prices reflect current inventories, demand, expected current season production and associated yield risk, and quality characteristics.
Free legal and financial clinics are being offered for farmers and ranchers across the state in August 2020. The clinics are one-on-one meetings with an agricultural law attorney and an agricultural financial counselor.
USDA urges anyone who receives an unsolicited package of seeds to immediately contact their State plant regulatory official or APHIS State plant health director.
With growing reports of spider mites damaging corn and soybeans in Nebraska, it's important to check leaves closely, as many other crop issues can cause similar discoloration.
Figure 1. Twospotted spider mites. Almost microscopic in size, the spider mites may be imperceptible on a leaf, but become more visible against its silk-like webs. (Photos by Jim Kalisch)
Recommendations for managing spider mites in corn and soybean, including treatment thresholds and insecticides, as well as discussions on the potential impact of beneficial insects, diseases and insecticide applications.
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.
Corn is rated 75% good to excellent and progressing ahead of the five-year average. Soybean is rated 80% good to excellent and also progressing ahead of the five-year average, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The winter wheat harvest is nearly complete (93%) and dry edible beans are progressing ahead of the previous year.
Extension Events
During a research plot tour at the 2019 Panhandle Agricultural Research and Technology Tour (PARTT), Integrated Weed Management Specialist Nevin Lawrence speaks in front of a weed control plot.
The University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center will partner with the Nebraska Dry Bean Growers Association on August 20 to host the annual Panhandle Agricultural Research and Technology Tour (PARTT). The in-person event will be conducted with social distancing and other precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Figure 1. Glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth infesting a corn field in south central Nebraska. (Archive photo by Amit Jhala)
The 2020 in-person Weed Management Field Days were not possible due to Covid-19. However, information about projects for this year's growing season were recorded for Virtual Field Days and are available online.
