Hops have emerged as a minor specialty crop in Nebraska, a result of rising demand of locally sourced ingredients grown in unique and local environments by the craft beer industry.
Managing weeds in a hop yard is complex, given the diversity of annual and perennial weeds, limited herbicide options and labor-intensive mechanical control methods. This herbicide guide discusses best weed management practices and the herbicides suitable for hops in Nebraska.
Overall, the 2024 corn yield forecast is 6% above the historical trend, with 46% of rainfed sites near average and 36% above average. Irrigated corn is also expected to be near average for most sites.
Elliott Dennis, associate professor of agricultural economics, highlights details about UNL's new Sustainability Index, which measures the sustainability practices currently used by producers to help protect the environment.
There has been a significant increase in the prevalence of common mullein this summer. Extension outlines options for Nebraska producers battling this weed, as prevention and early control are the best and cheapest management options.
Mild, wet winters favor common mullein growth, ensuring good germination the following year for new seedlings and good winter survival of plants entering the second year.
Effective weed control in range, pasture and CRP depends on selectivity and timing. In selecting an herbicide for common mullein control, there are many options.
In planting green scenarios, the timing of cover crop termination is critical for avoiding impacts to crop yield while maintaining optimal weed control.
Financial Management
Setting accurate custom rates for harvesting operations is essential for balancing fuel, labor, and equipment costs to ensure profitability for producers.
The article discusses how to set custom rates for fall harvest operations in Nebraska, using the latest 2024 Custom Rates Survey data.
Farm families can use life insurance as part of estate and transition planning to ensure financial security and smooth business succession for future generations.
Life insurance can be a valuable tool for farm families, offering tax-free death benefits if structured properly. This article outlines the types of life insurance and their roles in debt coverage, estate equalization and income replacement.
Extension Events
Young prairie strips planted in between corn rows in Tama County, Iowa. (NRCS/SWCS photo)
Discover how implementing prairie strips through the CRP CP43 program can boost farm profitability while enhancing soil health, water quality and biodiversity at this event in Grant next week.
In the final update for this year, three Nebraska growers share comprehensive irrigation data from their study fields throughout the 2024 growing season.
Forage Production
Properly timing the final alfalfa harvest using growing degree days (GDD) helps ensure winterization and prevent winterkill, allowing stands to thrive in the next growing season.
Insights on using growing degree days for alfalfa harvest to ensure winterization before dormancy, managing nitrate levels in annuals for foraging livestock, and sampling hay for a comprehensive quality test.
Crop Reports
Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA.
In the final crop water use report for 2024, Extension Educator Gary Stone shares harvest progress and an update on irrigation water deliveries for the Panhandle.
After a cooldown and much-needed rain to usher in the first day of fall this weekend, a summer-like sizzle will return to Nebraska next week, likely bringing worsening drought with it.
A diversity of both beneficial and potentially harmful insects has been found in industrial hemp grown in west-central Nebraska, and continued research will be crucial for producers in managing pests as hemp production expands in the state.
When preparing winter wheat fields for late-season seeding, one tactic producers should consider is narrow row spacing.
Late-seeded winter wheat can yield higher than early-seeded crops, partly due to reduced disease and insect issues. This article provides tips for increasing seeding success if weather or harvest has caused delays.
Farmers are invited to participate in a new UNL-Nebraska Soybean Board study to evaluate potassium fertilization impacts on crop yield. Participants will receive detailed reports and soil and grain quality results in exchange for their help.
