Gary Stone - Extension Educator

Gary Stone

faculty

Assoc Exten Educator NE Ext Engagement Zone 1 University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Work

4502 Ave I Scottsbluff NE 69361-4939

Work 308-632-1230

gstone2@unl.edu

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icon-academic-capEducation

MS, University of Nebraska, 1977
BS, University of Wyoming, 1976
Other, Nebraska State Irrigation Association, 2013

icon-keynotePresentations

Cheatgrass Challenge Management , University of Wyoming, SAREC, Lingle, WY

icon-bookmark-starAwards & Honors

Harold E Alley Award, Wyoming Weed & Pest Council, 2002
The Chester I. Walters “Extra Mile” Award, Nebraska Extension, 2016
Nebraska Extension Excellnce in Extension Team Award, Nebraska Extension, 2020
Wyoming Stock Growers Associatoin Environmental Stewardship Award Upper North Platte River Weed Management Area, Wyoming Stock Growers Association, 2015

Area of Responsibility: UNL Panhandle Research & Extension District
Program Responsibilities: Water management (crops and urban), horticultural topics, and some cropping systems
Nebraska Extension Teams: Resistant and Invasive Pests and Efficient Water Use

Crop Reports

Figure 1. Dry bean harvest underway in the Nebraska Panhandle Wednesday, Oct. 18. (Photo by Gary Stone)

Crop Update from the Panhandle

October 19, 2017

Recent dry weather opened up dry bean harvest, but slowed sugar beet harvest in the Nebraska Panhandle. Dry bean harvest should be 80%-90% complete by the end of the week.

Figure 1. A grower using a Picket combine, specifically designed to harvest dry beans, and his regular combine took advantage of favorable conditions Sept. 30 to harvest dry beans in the Nebraska Panhandle. While conditions have generally been wet, this day there was little or no wind, and the dust hung in the air throughout the field. (Photo by Gary Stone)

Precipitation Slows and Complicates Dry Bean Harvest

October 6, 2017

Dry bean harvest in the Panhandle is going slow this season. In most years, dry bean harvest is completed by the end of September; however, this year precipitation events over the last several weeks have slowed harvest and have now brought it to a standstill.

Snowy Moutain Range in Wyoming — Figure 1. Old Main peak in the Snowy Mountain range in south-central Wyoming. (Photos by Gary Stone)

North Platte River Basin Water Update

June 1, 2017

After good precipitation over the winter and spring, most of the reservoirs in the North Platte River basin in Wyoming are at or near capacity with more snowmelt/runoff still expected.

Figure 1. Absinth wormwood leaf (Photo by Kristi Paul)

Absinth Wormwood - New Invasive Species in Nebraska Panhandle

May 17, 2017

An invasive species, absinth wormwood will establish quickly in disturbed areas and over-grazed sites and can out-compete desirable forbs and grasses in pastures and rangeland, reducing biodiversity.

Water flowing at Pathfinder Dam — Figure 1. Pathfinder Dam and Fremont Canyon on the North Platte River in Wyoming

North Platte River Water Update — US Bureau of Reclamation

April 21, 2017

North Platte River water operations and deliveries are expected to be normal for the 2017 growing season with an expected demand of 1.1 million acre-feet, according to a US Bureau of Reclamation forecast presented at the University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff April 19.

Ventenata plants — Ventenata / North African Grass seed heads, Ventenata dubia (Leers) Coss. Photo credit: ©Prof Matt Lavin-2008/Bozeman, Montana, USA - CC BY-SA 2.0

Watching for Ventenata — an Invasive Weed on our Western Horizon

April 5, 2017

Ventenata is an invasive grass in Wyoming that is slowly spreading east. If it does migrate to Nebraska, early detection and rapid response will be essential in controlling its establishment. If it were to become established in the Pine Ridge area or Sandhills, it could devastate the ecology and range production.

Medusahead Grass — Figure 1. Medusahead seed head, Taeniatherum caput-medusae (L.) Nevski (Photo credit: Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org)

Detecting Invasive Species: Medusahead

March 10, 2017

Growers are encourage to watch for Medusahead, an invasive weed species that is now in Wyoming and moving eastward. If it reaches the Pine Ridge area or Sandhills, it could cause devastating damage to the ecology and range production. The concept of early detection and rapid response, as described here, will be important to its containment.

Pathfinder Reservoir Dam Overflow photo by Gary Stone — Figure 1. Overflow from Pathfinder Dam in Wyoming, part of the North Platte River Reservoir system. (Photo by Gary Stone)

Status of North Platte River Water Reservoirs

February 14, 2017

I usually start reporting on river flows and water reservoirs affecting western Nebraska in early May, but with recent national news about the spillway at the Oroville Dam in California, you may be wondering about the status of snowpack water content and the reservoir levels along the North Platte River in Wyoming.