Extension Field Reports

May 1, 2015

Nathan Mueller, Extension Educator in Dodge and Washington Counties: Corn and soybean planting this week started off slow due to rainfall on Saturday, April 25, that averaged around 9/10 of an inch in Dodge and Washington Counties (Figure 1). The area around Uehling was on the light side with several tenths while fields around Fremont received as much as 1.6 inches. Corn acreage planted built on last week's progress before the rain. Soybean planting progress started to pick up the end of this week. Overall, planting progress has been slowed in this part of the state due to an average to wetter-than-normal April with most areas receiving over 3 inches and some  over 4 inches. Topsoil and subsoil have adequate to surplus moisture. Unfortunately, some tillage and planting operations ran across soils on the wet side as a result.

Last week's freezing temps (at or below 28° F) on April 21-22 did nip some alfalfa leaves (Figure 2), but overall the outlook for first-cutting tonnage looks to be good.

Herbicide burndown of cover crops and winter annual weeds is mostly finished along with the late end to the anhydrous application season. Farmers and agribusinesses were pushing hard at the end of the week on spraying and planting given the forecast for wet weather starting on Sunday evening. Visit Crop Tech Cafe for additional figures and information. (May 1)

Monte Vandeveer, Extension Educator in Otoe County: A huge amount of corn was planted in Otoe County this week, and might be about half done with corn, after having hardly any progress a week ago. I haven't seen any alfalfa cut yet; none seen blooming, either. Wheat (what little we have) is responding well to the recent rains. (May 1)

Jenny Rees, Extension Educator in Clay County: A large percentage of corn in the Clay County area has been planted and soybean planting has begun or even finished for a few. Earliest planted corn in the March 28-30 time-frame has a good stand with minor cold damage to leaves. Corn planted April 15 is peaking through the ground (Figure 3) and in some fields can just be rowed. Corn planted the week of April 20 has germinated and we will see if there's any damage due to cold temps/rains in the future. 

Wheat condition greatly varies depending on amount of winterkill. Many fields have jointed, but those further behind should reach joint by next week. Stripe rust (Figure 4) is present at low levels in many Clay and Nuckolls county wheat fields. Scouting is advised to determine progression of this disease. Please see the CropWatch story on stripe rust in wheat and the revised wheat fungicide table for any future fungicide application decisions during the wheat growing season. (May 1)