Populations of immature grasshoppers are being reported in areas bordering crop fields in several parts of Nebraska. If these grasshopper species are one of the four major species that are likely to infest cropland, control may be warranted if high numbers are present.
Japanese beetle adults are beginning to emerge in eastern Nebraska corn and soybeans, as well as landscape trees and shrubs. They will continue to emerge for the next few weeks. This story includes a guide for estimating total defoliation from multiple insects to determine need for treatment in soybean.
Figure 1. The wheat-mite-virus complex has extreme potential to impact yield the following year if high risk volunteer wheat situations are not managed well. (Photo by Gary Hein)
Volunteer wheat can provide the summer "green bridge" for the disease wheat streak mosaic and other virus diseases. This almost always occurs as a result of wheat seed shattered from heads during hail storms.
The results from field trials suggest an integrated disease management approach including tillage (when practical), crop rotation, resistant varieties, seed treatment, and timely application of mixed-mode of action fungicides provides the best control.
With crop damage occurring in the forms of hail, wind and flooding early in this growing season, the following are resources that can help you in making decisions.
Nebraska Extension is pleased to present the 6th annual Crop Scouting Competition for Nebraska youth. Youth interested in crops have the opportunity to learn about crop growth & development and basic crop scouting principles.
Forage production varies greatly from one season to the next depending upon weather. In the last 15 years, several new insurance tools have become available to Nebraska producers to help manage this risk. This webinar provides an overview of all that is available and examples of how they can be used to mitigate weather risk.
This week, Fernanda Krupek discusses using aerial imagery to assess cover crop biomass, Ben Beckman talks about pasture fertility and Jerry Volesky shares thoughts on the impact of bale twine and net wrap on animal health.
Extension educators report on what they are seeing in the fields this week in the northern panhandle, Saline, Jefferson, Gage, Colfax, Dawson Buffalo and Hall counties.