Melissa Bartels - Former Extension Educator

New seeding alfalfa

Pasture and Forage Minute: Management Strategies for Alfalfa Insects, Irrigation

June 17, 2021
This week, extension educators review seasonal issues for alfalfa — scouting practices for alfalfa pests, when and how to correctly irrigate alfalfa, and harvest guidelines for first-year alfalfa.

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Nebraska sample field map

What Have We Learned about Soybean Seed Constituents in Irrigated and Dryland Producer Fields in Nebraska?

June 14, 2021
With a continuous decline in seed protein concentration in U.S. soybeans, UNL researchers examined how irrigation practices in Nebraska may contribute to this issue for soybean growers.

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Stripe rust

Stripe Rust Confirmed in 11 Counties in Southeast and South-central Nebraska

May 13, 2021
While leaf rust was not observed in any surveyed wheat fields, stripe rust was confirmed in 11 counties this week in southeast and south-central Nebraska.

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Soybean root with SCN infection

Managing Soybean Cyst Nematode Starts Now

March 17, 2021
Preparing for the annual battle against soybean cyst nematode? Extension experts weigh in on your strategy options and offer tips on how to start winning the war.

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Crop crops in field

Nebraska Cover Crop and Soil Health Conference Set for Feb. 11

January 29, 2021
The Nebraska Cover Crop and Soil Health Conference will advise growers on the latest techniques to maximize profit from cover crops in a corn/soybean rotation, including aerial imagery, using cereal rye for weed control, and on-farm research on a three-crop dryland rotation. 

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link to Managing Diseases Starts NOW with Seed Selection

Managing Diseases Starts NOW with Seed Selection

November 19, 2020
Now is the perfect time to think about how you can minimize diseases next growing season. Planting disease-resistant hybrids and varieties may be a more economical way to manage certain diseases, reduce disease severity and reduce dependence on pesticides.

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corn stalks showing stalk rot

Check Stalk Quality of Corn Going into Harvest

September 16, 2020
Poor stalk quality can cause stalk lodging and breakage, leading to harvest difficulties. This could cause yield loss and create issues of volunteer corn for next year's crops due to ears lost from lodged corn.

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Blue fungal growth on soybean roots

Soybean Diseases Developing in Nebraska

September 4, 2020
Patches of yellowing or dying soybeans have been observed and are a cause of concern across many areas of Nebraska. Some of these areas are due to several diseases described here, but other conditions may impact the development of these spots.

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