September 6, 2013

Corn Production

• A Guide to Late Season Corn Stalk and Ear Rot Diseases. Producers are reporting a variety of corn diseases, but at this point, aflatoxin has not been reported in corn. Plant Pathologist Tamra Jackson-Ziems addresses identification, management, and storage issues.
• Sprouting Corn Kernels on Hail-Damaged Ears. The latest outcome from the August 1 storm in Clay County is the germination of "good" kernels left on the ears. Extension Educator Jenny Rees looks at how "vipary" occurs and what producers can do now.
• September 2 Evaluation of Simulated Corn Yields across Nebraska. Models indicate yields could be 2-8% higher than normal for irrigated corn with an average planting date, and 0-13% below normal for late-planted corn. UNL agronomists note that rainfed yields will likely be below normal for most areas.

Soybean Production

• Sudden Death Syndrome Reports Increasing in Soybean, Correctly identifying soybean diseases now can guide variety selection next year, notes Extension Plant Pathologist Loren Giesler.

Disease Management

• Disease Reports by District in Corn and Soybean

Wheat Production

• KSU Team Identifies Method to Identify Aphids Infected with Barley Yellow Dwarf. Key is collecting live aphids in the fall to best for the virus.

Crop Reports

• Dryland Crops Feeling Stress of Higher Temps, Spotty Rain. Topsoil moisture 64% very short to short and subsoil now 74% very short to short across the state. Corn progress improves, but still behind average.
• Drought holds mostly steady in Nebraska, but worsens across the Corn Belt, according to this week's Drought Monitor. See DroughtResources.unl.edu for information for farm, home, ranch.

Farm Management

• Free Farm Finance Clinics Set for September. Talk with an experienced ag law attorney and ag financial counselor.

IANR Extension Programs & Events

• Market Journal Looks at Corn Disease, Iowa Crop Condition, Weekly Forecast
• Tune in to this Week's Ag Almanac Audio Stories, including stalk nitrate testing in corn.
• UNL "Raising Our H2O IQ" at Husker Harvest Days. Visit the IANR Red Building at HHD to view results from the latest research and programming related to water, including for agricultural production.
• Reminder: Sorghum Field Days Sept. 16-19
• Heuermann Lectures to Open Sept. 30 with "Beyond GMOs to a More Honest Dialogue about Our Food"

Research

• UNL Developing Water-Collecting Drones for Tests, Remote Locales. UNL scientists are leading a national research project to develop unmanned aerial vehicles that collect water samples from lakes, streams and ponds.