January 7, 2022

Research Updates

Impact and Seed Production of Palmer Amaranth in Dry Beans

Results of a 2020-21 study investigating the impact of uncontrolled Palmer amaranth in dry beans. Using pinto beans, researchers were able to pinpoint yield loss and potential seed production of Palmer amaranth.

Dry bean field collage — Dry Bean Breeding Specialist Carlos Urrea and his crew worked both outside and indoors to carry out variety trials in 2021. (Left photo) Barbara Pieper (foreground), Aymslee Mathis and Karrisa Neal, summer interns, at work in the greenhouse scouting and clipping young bean plants. (Right photo) Urrea checks variety plots at the Mitchell Ag Lab in mid-summer 2021.

2021 Nebraska Dry Edible Bean Trial Results Available

Results of the 2021 variety trials for dry edible beans conducted by the University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center are now available on CropWatch.

IANR & Extension

Jenny Rees in cornfield clipping cover crop biomass for an on-farm research study — Jenny Rees, York/Seward water and integrated cropping systems extension educator, takes samples from a corn field for her research. (Photos courtesy Jenny Rees)

Digging into Extension: The Right Path for Jenny Rees

Jenny Rees has been a Nebraska Extension educator since 2004, but working for extension wasn't always a part of her plan. Find out how she discovered her ag career path and what it means to her today.

SMFD presentation screen capture — Justin McMechan's update on the latest research regarding soybean gall midge is one of many Soybean Management Field Days presentations now available for growers to view online.

2021 Nebraska Soybean Management Field Days Information Shared Virtually

Growers can now view all 17 presentations featured this summer at Soybean Management Field Days, which covered a wide variety of topics related to soybean production.

Nebraska Farm Income and Farm Policy Directions

This article provides insight on current conditions and on potential future directions for ag policy and farm programs through a brief analysis of farm income and federal farm income safety net programs.

Nonirrigated Cropland Values Reflect Strength of Commodity Markets in 2021

Nebraska agricultural economists review the factors driving nonirrigated cropland values in 2021 and discuss their outlook for farm real estate values in 2022.

Forage Production

Pasture and Forage Minute: RFV and RFQ Explained, Pasture Fertilization Costs

Nebraska Extension Educator Ben Beckman breaks down Relative Feed Value and Relative Forage Quality and how to use these values to estimate feed quality, and Todd Whitney discusses whether fertilizer investments are cost-effective right now.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Reducing Hay Losses, Year in Review

Brad Schick shares key strategies for preventing hay loss, and Ben Beckman discusses the importance of conducting a year-end analysis of your operation.

Extension Events

Applying Manure Management Concepts On-farm Programs in February, March

At these programs, producers will learn how to determine which fields are the most economical for manure use and which fields can benefit the most from manure’s ability to improve soil health and water quality.

Soils School presenter mugshots — (Clockwise, from top left) Bijesh Maharjan, Laila Puntel, Humberto Blanco, Javed Iqbal, Rhae Drijber, Michael Kaiser, Aaron Hird, Nathan Mueller and Katie Pekarek will present at 2022 Soils School.

Soils School to Feature Soil, Water, Nutrient Management Concepts

This two-day course, which focuses on the basic principles of soils, water and nutrient management, will highlight the latest information and research findings on soil chemistry and microbiology, manure nutrient management, nitrogen, phosphorus and more.

Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference Returning to Kearney Feb. 24-25

The two-day conference will feature over 20 workshop sessions where attendees will learn how to better manage risk, improve their farms and ranches and become more successful operators and business partners.

Farm family — Lance Cheung/USDA (Flickr/Public Domain)

Extension to Offer Succession Planning Workshop in Scottsbluff

The workshop will offer background on good communications that are essential for families that are transitioning, as well as review common transition process mistakes and important considerations and tools for creating an agricultural estate plan.

Crop Reports

Crop Progress: Winter Wheat Rated at 37% Good

For the week ending Jan. 2, 2022, winter wheat condition rated 37% good and 2% excellent. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 47% short.

In Case You Missed It

TAPS Banquet to Celebrate 2021 Competitions

At this year's banquet, TAPS organizers will discuss the findings from the 2021 competitions, present data derived from teams’ decisions and honor the award recipients for each contest.

Private Pesticide Training Schedule for 2022; Several Changes in Permitting Process

There are several updates to the process of obtaining private pesticide applicator licenses this year, for both first-time and recertification applicants.