Tyler Williams - Cropping Systems Extension Educator

Cover Crop Grazing: Impacts on Soils and Crop Yields

January 22, 2019

Results from a three-year study in rainfed and irrigated no-till cropping systems in Nebraska suggest that moderate cattle grazing of cover crops may not negatively impact soil properties and crop production.

Tyler Williams speaks at one of the 2018 Successful Farmer sessions — Tyler Williams, climate and crops extension educator in Lancaster County, speaks at one of the 2018 Successful Farmer sessions.

Extension Successful Farmer Series Starts January 4

December 12, 2018

Friday mornings from Jan. 4 to Feb. 8 Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County will host a meeting series on timely topics for eastern Nebraska farmers. Can't get into town that day? The sessions will also be live streamed.

Attendees at the 2019 Fremont Corn Expo, like those shown here at the 2018 event, will learn the latest information on marketing, production and pest management in corn for east-central Nebraska.

Fremont Corn Expo Jan. 3

December 10, 2018

Eastern Nebraska corn growers can sharpen their marketing, production, and pest management strategies at the 2019 Fremont Corn Expo January 3 in Fremont.

Figure 1. Map of the Midwest showing average date ranges for first 28°F freeze. (Source: Midwest Regional Climate Center)

Average First Freeze Dates for Nebraska

September 21, 2018

Statistics indicate that first freeze (28°F) trends for southeast Nebraska are changing, moving slightly later into the fall while those for northwest Nebraska, at the other end of the scale, are not changing. See average first freeze date ranges here.

Nebraska map showing departure from normal precipitation

A Recap of Weather and Its Effects on the 2018 Crop Season

September 20, 2018

Weather data and trends from April through August are reported here and help explain what you're seeing from the cab this fall.

Nebraska precipitation map based on single point data

Why Do Precipitation Maps for the Same Date and Area Differ?

June 28, 2018

Why do precipitation maps for the same storms sometimes appear to report different rainfall amounts? How can you determine which one to use when?

Figure 1. The degree of damage from standing water in this field will depend on several factors and likely will lead to direct yield losses or indirect losses from increased disease pressure.

Flooding and Ponding in Soybeans

June 22, 2018

Soybean plants are generally able to withstand a fair amount of flooding in the short term; however, diseases favored by wet conditions may become a problem for the rest of the season. Research shows the length of time the soil is wet and the type of soil will affect plant injury and survival.

Flooding and Ponding in Corn

June 22, 2018

Ponding or flooding of fields affects corn differently at different stages, depending on duration of flooding and other factors. Growers should assess the potential for nitrogen loss and increase scouting for corn disease in these fields.