Jeff Peterson, president of Heartland Farm Partners, discusses corn and soybean market strategies and export opportunities.

November 2013

Weather

• Preliminary CPC Forecasts Show Few Extremes for Nebraska. Nebraska state climatologist sees a slightly different picture with below normal temperatures and normal to above normal precipitation for December.
• UNL Nebraska Ag Climate Update, Nov. 18. Nebraska stats and reports put current weather into perspective. While no year in Nebraska is "average," a historical review of Thanksgiving Day conditions suggests that while snow isn't common, temperatures below 32°F are.

Corn Production

• Nitrogen Fertilizer: Weighing the Value of Fall vs Spring Applications. Corn uses N more efficiently when it is applied as close as possible to when it's needed. This article explores soil sampling this fall and factors to consider in the timing of N fertilizer application.

Weed Management

• Tips for Identifying Fall Emerging Weeds. With recent precipitation, many winter annual weeds are actively emerging in fields. Effective management this fall begins with correct identification. This article offers photos and details on how to identify and differentiate major weed species in Nebraska cropland.

Alternative Crop Production

• Disease-resistant Peas Developed for Release. New dry-pea breeding lines developed by USDA scientists and their collaborators may offer growers added insurance against Aphanomyces root rot, a disease that can cause crop yield losses of 20% to 100%.

Farm Management

• Relatives and Farm Leasing — Finding a Fair Rate. Dealing with relatives can be one of the hardest issues of negotiating a farm lease. Consider these factors that may come into play. For more help, attend a UNL Landlord/Tenant Workshop near you.

Weather Update

• As Winter Sets in, Keep Your Snow Shovels Handy. The state climatologist reviews how early October-November storms bolstered soil moisture reserves and looks at what's ahead for this winter.

Grain Storage

• Dealing with wet grain this harvest? For recommendations on how to protect your harvest, see the Grain Storage Management section of CropWatch.

Crop Reports

• Nebraska Corn Crop Forecast at 25% over Last Year. Based on November 1 conditions, Nebraska's 2013 corn crop is forecast at 1.61 billion bushels, 25% above last year's production. Nationally, corn production is forecast at 14.0 billion bushels, up 30% from 2012.
• Nebraska Corn Harvest Slowed, but Still Slightly Ahead of Average.

IANR & Extension AgNews

• Market Journal Looks at Being Bearish or Bullish in the Grain Market. Guests look at the grain and livestock markets, the winter weather forecast, and research on the use of beta-agonists in the feedlot. 
• Ag Marketing and Farm Bill Among Topics at Omaha Ag Outlook Dec. 6-7. UNL and ISU join to focus on grain and livestock marketing options and integrated economic and finance solutions for ag operations.
• Western Sustainable Ag Crops and Livestock Conference Dec. 7 at Ogallala. "Using Cover Crops in Western Nebraska" is the theme for this year's event. Hear farmers discuss their experiences with cover crops and other sustainable practices.
• UNL Ag Progress Show Dec. 11 in Atkinson. Presentations will cover timely, research-based information on a range of crop and beef production systems.
• Free Farm Finance Clinics Set for December. Get one-on-one, confidential free assistance from an ag law attorney and ag finance counselor.
• Panhandle Agricultural Summit Dec. 12-13 in Gering. Regional ag leaders are invited to join in discussion of emerging ag trends and strategizing to prepare the Panhandle's ag industry for a healthy future. 
• No-Till Organic Crop Rotation Workshop Jan. 11 in Columbus. Learn how strategically timed weed management can lower pesticide use and input costs for both traditional and organic production systems.
• Vilsack: Rural America Has Much to Gain but Must Tell Its Story Better
• Director of Rural Futures Institute: Transfer of Leadership to Challenge Rural America
• New Publications from UNL Extension
• More New Ag Publications from UNL Extension