Though rare for semi-arid regions, Fusarium head blight was present in the Nebraska Panhandle's 2023 wheat crop, and its effects have already been observed in this year's crop. This article highlights control options to mitigate yield loss in 2024.
Nutrient Management
Because fertility needs differ among crops, a good starting point is figuring out what nutrients are needed, and then choosing a manure application rate to meet those needs.
Nebraska Extension shares recommendations on determining a manure application rate that will meet agronomic crop needs while accounting for excess soil nutrients or building soil fertility.
Research Updates
Nebraska On-Farm Research Network's 2023 Research Results book is now available online for free download.
Studies in the 2023 Research Results book cover various topics, including crop production, fertility and soil management, non-traditional products, cover crops, crop protection and equipment.
Rebecca Roston, UNL professor of biochemistry, talks about her research on the development of crop varieties with improved resistance to cold temperatures.
Crop Reports
Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA.
UNL Ag Law Specialist Dave Aiken breaks down the Nebraska climate action plan, focusing on what the plan proposes to do to reduce agricultural climate pollution emissions in Nebraska.
Dr. Dannele Peck, USDA Northern Plains Climate Hub, talks about the Grass-Cast model's development and how growers can use it to make decisions on forage production in the upcoming season.
Forage Production
Early season irrigation linked with first cutting alfalfa can potentially lower water use sharply, as transpiration is lower when the leaf foliage is removed.
This week, extension educators discuss strategies for early season irrigation of alfalfa to lower seasonal water use, controlling alfalfa weevil and flash grazing in spring to mitigate early pasture weeds.
Financial Management
Calculating net farm income is an important part of annual accounting tasks, as it provides the most accurate summary of the profitability and performance of your operation.
Nebraska Extension Educator Glennis McClure explains the process of analyzing net farm income and earned net worth change for the year.
Successfully bringing additional family members into an ag operation may require some creativity, as all parties need to maintain a viable standard of living. Gifting assets is one strategy for compensating the next generation on the farm or ranch.
Gifting assets, such as equipment, livestock, land, or shares of an entity, is one of several ways to compensate family members in an operation, but it requires careful consideration of the guidelines.
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.
Nebraska Extension Educator Amy Timmerman shares details on the FieldWatch platform, including the FieldCheck app, which can help producers and pesticide applicators protect pesticide-sensitive crops and insects by preventing drift.
The study highlights how the ethanol industry has continued to expand offerings of highly valued co-products, insulating itself from cyclical ethanol fuel prices.
This Nebraska Extension article highlights the impact of factors such as plant genetics and improved production practices to fertilizer consumption in Nebraska over numerous decades.
Making a decision on when to graze winter annuals such rye, winter wheat or triticale in the spring should depend on plant growth — ideally, the best time to graze is when the plants are about five to six inches tall.
Extension educators introduce a new webinar series for producers interested in adding an annual forage rotation to their operation, plus insights on grazing spring cereal grains and options for thin alfalfa stands.
