With current corn prices and the limited availability of perennial grass, some producers are asking themselves if growing forages on cropland might be the answer to feeding the cow herd. A webinar to address these questions in addition to showing economic examples will be held Tuesday evening, February 13, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. CST.
An article from the Proceedings of the 2018 Nebraska Extension Crop Production Clinics exploring research on whether nitrogen supply is limiting soybean yield.
In summer 2017, 312 Nebraska farmers from 60 counties responded to a survey on their perception on dicamba use in Xtend soybeans. The survey asked about outcomes of applying dicamba in Xtend soybeans and perceived injury in non-Xtend soybeans.
Figure 1. Where moisture is not limited, research shows that removing some corn residue from a field may benefit yield in the following crop. However, if residue is removed for more than three years, research showed longer term impacts to the soil.
A review of multiple research studies indicates that where moisture is not limited, residue removal can result in no yield reduction to yield increases for the subsequent crop. However, long-term residue removal has been shown to affect other production factors and it's recommended that even in minimal erosion areas, removing residue does impact other production factors and it's recommended that 2.4 tons/acre of residue be left in the field.
The authors review three research studies on how amelioration practices such as adding cover crops and/or manure may offset any effects of removing crop residue.
Corn residue has a number of uses and thus its value as well as its impact on other systems may need to be estimated when evaluating post-harvest options. This article looks at how to estimate the nutrient value of the residue and potential impacts to the soil from removing the residue, based on Nebraska research.
Figure 1. Survival of field pennycress due to application of burndown herbicide when the temperature was below 40°F for an extended time. (Photos by Amit Jhala)
In many areas fall herbicide applications were delayed due to the late harvest. Applications can still be effective, depending on weeds present, temperature, rate of herbicide and additives used. The article offers recommendations for these late-fall applications and their importance, particularly for control of herbicide-resistant marestail.
This photo series of grower solutions illustrates several non-livestock options for picking up corn on the ground, including the use of a rake and combine with a pick-up attachment.
