A total of 164 counties have been documented as infested with soybean gall midge as of Aug. 9, with two new counties located in Kansas and six counties in Iowa.
With soybean gall midge emergence dates and locations advancing in the state, Nebraska Extension educators stress the importance of scouting and documenting observations, which can inform ongoing research on management options.
The forecasted yield potential this season is 7% below the historical average for both rainfed and irrigated corn, similar to predictions in September 2022.
Nutrient Management
Trading crop residue bales for manure may seem like it should be a simple decision, but there are many factors that weigh into that decision, both financial and logistical in nature.
Insights on how to initiate a fair trade of crop residue and manure between producers with respect to costs and logistics of the transaction for both parties.
Forage Production
In addition to associated costs, producers considering harvesting drought-stressed corn should also evaluate the impact of doing so on future crop production before making a final decision.
Extension educators review the importance of understanding nitrate and nitrate nitrogen scores in forage test results, how to price corn silage to salvage drought-stressed crops, and selecting winter annual forages.
A summary of the nitrogen (N) decisions made in each 2023 TAPS competition and some conclusions derived from the decisions.
Nathan Mueller, Nebraska Extension water and integrated cropping systems educator, speaks to participants during the 2023 4Rs Nutrient Stewardship Field Day.
Throughout the field day, educators shared insights and conducted live demos on optimizing management of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, including via sensor-based fertigation.
Aaron Hird, USDA NRCS state soil health specialist, demonstrates the outcome of different soil health practices with a rainfall simulation to Nebraska Soil Health School attendees at UNL’s Haskell Ag Lab on Aug. 2.
During its inaugural year, the Nebraska Soil Health School educated more than 200 producers and ag industry stakeholders on the latest research and practices for healthy soils to increase crop productivity.
The fall seminar series features a new lineup of experts presenting research and insights from fertigation techniques and pest management to the latest advances in plant genetics.
New research is being conducted in the Nebraska Panhandle on ways to increase production of millets, an ideal dryland crop with short growth duration and exceptional nutrition, particularly for gluten-sensitive and diabetic individuals.
Information on how to deal with the aftermath of severe thunderstorms that include hail and tornadoes, from handling insurance to managing recovery crop.
Crop Reports & AgNews
Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA.
While predictions have decreased slightly, grain sorghum is still on track for an exceptional production year in Nebraska, with bushels forecast at 191% above 2022 totals.
Nebraska has three chances at precipitation throughout the next week, which falls in line with the latest CPC forecast that favors above average temperatures and precipitation for most of the remainder of the month.
Though August began with drought-relieving rainfall in Nebraska, it ended in a record-setting heat wave that took a toll on crops and livestock across almost all of the state.
In Case You Missed It...
Nebraska Extension recently received four national awards from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. (IANR News image)
Extension educators were recognized for their work on a range of services provided to Nebraska's agricultural industry, including the farm management program "Know Your Numbers, Know Your Options."
If you don’t grow something, Mother Nature will. The hairy vetch cover crop is suppressing weeds on the left compared to the no cover crop treatment on the right.
