Gary Stone - Extension Educator

Loren Giesler

faculty
Work
4502 Ave I Scottsbluff NE 69361-4939
US

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

Absinth wormwood leaf
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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Pathfinder Reservoir photo by Gary Stone
Pathfinder Reservoir photo by Gary Stone

North Platte River Basin Water Update

May 31, 2016
Minor to moderate lowland flooding is still occurring along the North Platte River from Lewellen west into southeastern Wyoming and will continue for several weeks or months. The areas affected are primarily the river bottom, pasture, and low-lying agricultural production fields. Some areas are near flood stage and others have exceeded flood stage.

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North Platte River Basin Water Update

May 18, 2016
A collaboration of management agencies is closely monitoring the situation as reservoirs on the North Platte River in Wyoming fill and water is released. Flooding is likely in an area along the river in western Nebraska for several weeks to several months. Minor to moderate lowland flooding is occurring along the North Platte River from Lewellen west into southeastern Wyoming and will continue for several weeks or months. The areas affected are primarily the river bottom, mostly pasture but some cropland and homes.

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Pathfinder Reservoir Dam Overflow photo by Gary Stone
Pathfinder Reservoir Dam Overflow photo by Gary Stone

North Platte River Basin Water Update

May 4, 2016
Recent storms rolling through southeast Wyoming and the Nebraska Panhandle have brought considerable moisture to the North Platte River Basin. The typical time for runoff/snowmelt in the Snowy Range and Sierra Madre mountains in southeastern Wyoming is mid-April; however, this year it was delayed several weeks and is just starting.

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