April 28, 2023

Pest Management

Alfalfa Weevil Surging in Alfalfa Fields

Alfalfa weevil larvae have emerged in southeast, south-central and central Nebraska; scouting for this pest is crucial for alfalfa producers over the next few weeks.

Research Updates

Interseeding video intro — It’s important to plan ahead of time and know your goals when adding cover crops to your operation. In this article, Nebraska Extension evaluates numerous cover crop species and provides guidance on how to choose the species that will best fit your production needs. This video shares additional information on cover crop species used.

Interseeding Cover Crops into Early Season Corn and Soybean: Species Selection

In this article, Nebraska Extension evaluates numerous cover crop species for interseeding and provides guidance on how to choose the species that will best fit your production needs.

Weed Management

PREEC Battles Growing Palmer Amaranth Problem

Panhandle researchers are conducting 16 field trials this year to test six new herbicides and various management strategies to help producers control surging Palmer amaranth populations in sugarbeets and dry beans.

Drought

Drought Assistance Webinar May 4

This CAP webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of FSA drought assistance programs, including current designations, eligibility and application requirements, plus information on management strategies and record-keeping for producers during drought.

County map — The counties highlighted in blue are now eligible to apply for 2023 LFP benefits on small grains, native pasture, improved pasture or forage sorghum due to severe drought status. (CropWatch image)

USDA Farm Service Agency Offers Disaster Assistance to Nebraska Farmers, Livestock Producers Impacted by Drought

Producers have until Dec. 1, 2023 to apply for FSA drought assistance loans on grazing losses from small grains, native pasture, improved pasture or forage sorghum.

IANR/Extension

This Week on N Field: Pesticide Glove Safety

Nebraska Extension Educator Amy Timmerman demonstrates why some of the most popular safety gloves on today's market don't provide enough protection for producers during agricultural applications.

Extension Events

Crop Scout Training participants — During the one-day course, participants will get the chance to receive hands-on training in the field from Nebraska Extension specialists and educators.

Nebraska Extension Offers Introductory Level Crop Scout Training May 23

This year's course will enhance participants' knowledge of corn and soybean production in Nebraska, including: crop growth and development; insect and weed scouting, identification and management; and nutrient deficiencies.

SCAL weed management day — Nebraska Extension Weed Management Specialist Amit Jhala (at far left) will once again lead dscussion on weed management practices in Nebraska during this year's Weed Management Field Day, which is free and open to the public.

Nebraska Extension Weed Management Field Day June 28 at South Central Agricultural Laboratory

The free field day will include on-site demos of new technology and new herbicides for corn, soybean, popcorn and sorghum, as well as herbicide-resistant weed control options with various herbicide programs.

4Rs Field Day tent — Nitrogen management with sensor-based fertigation is one of many topics that will be discussed by experts from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Iowa State University during the 2023 4Rs Nutrient Stewardship Field Day.

Nebraska 4Rs Nutrient Stewardship Field Day Set for July 6

This year’s 4Rs Field Day will focus on up-to-date research information and demonstrations on all three major crop nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

Forage Production

Pasture and Forage Minute: Calculate ROI Before Fertilizing Pastures

This week: Fertilizing pastures — an in-depth analysis on the economics of applying fertilizer to Nebraska pastures this season.

Crop Reports & AgNews

Soybean field — Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA.

Crop Progress: Soybean Planting Underway in Nebraska

In comparison to recent years, soybean planting began on time this year in Nebraska, and corn planting was 10% complete as of April 23.

Solar panel irrigation on farm — The $1 billion in REAP grant funds will be awarded to eligible applicants quarterly through the end of September 2024. To ensure small projects have a fair opportunity to receive grants, 20% of available funds are being set aside annually for requests of $20,000 or less.

USDA Announces $1 Billion in Grants Available to Farmers, Ranchers for Installing Renewable Energy Systems

The new funds have been designated for agricultural producers and rural small businesses, to assist with financing renewable energy systems or to make energy-efficiency improvements.

Hemp plants — Historical industrial hemp reports for Nebraska are available at USDA.

Nebraska Hemp Acreage in 2022

Industrial hemp acreage in Nebraska was up 15% in 2022, according to USDA NASS.

Farm Management

Farm finance clinic banner — Though the farm finance and ag law clinics are offered monthly at sites across Nebraska, remote sessions are another option — call the number below to arrange a one-on-one meeting via phone or virtual platform.

Free Farm and Ag Law Clinics Set for May

Nebraskans can attend one of the three dates scheduled for free, in-person farm and ag law clinics in May or call to arrange a virtual/phone appointment.

In Case You Missed It...

Herbicide Considerations When Interseeding Cover Crops

UNL Extension professionals provide insights on timing and volume of herbicide applications for interseeded cover crops to help producers avoid germination and plant establishment issues this growing season.

Irrigation system in corn — Producers looking to take advantage of nitrate-nitrogen in groundwater to reduce nitrogen applications this growing season may want to test their wells to determine current levels. Information on testing requirements is available at all local NRD offices.

Don’t Lose Out on Free Nitrogen from Irrigation Water

Extension recommendations for calculating the amount of nitrate-nitrogen in irrigation water and optimal timing of applications to reduce the cost of nitrogen inputs in irrigated corn.