Also see: Corn
Chart of Nebraska & US corn yield trends (1971-2016)

Soybean and Corn Yield and Acreage Trends through 2016

May 25, 2017
Nebraska soybean and corn yields steadily increased from 1971 to 2016, in both irrigated and rainfed production fields. Charts based on USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service numbers track these changes.

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Corn with wrapped leaves in response to hail
Figure 1. Corn plant exhibiting abnormal growth (wrapped or tied leaves) after being damaged by hail. (Photos by Justin McMechan)

Evaluating Early-Season Hail Damage in Corn

May 25, 2017
Factors to consider when assessing early-season hail damage in corn. Growers urged to wait 7-10 days after hail to make full assessment.

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Glyphosate-resistant marestail

Postemergence (Rescue) Herbicide Options for Control of Glyphosate-Resistant Marestail in Corn and Soybean

May 24, 2017
Several factors have contributed to delayed applications and marestail escapes this spring. Includes recommendations for timely postemergence control in corn and soybean.

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Stalk-borer-DD-map-5-23-17

Scouting and Managing Stalk Borer in Corn

May 24, 2017
Common stalk borer eggs have hatched throughout Nebraska and scouting should begin when 1300-1400 degree days (DD) have accumulated. Current accumulations range from 500 to 1200 DD.

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Flooded field in south central Nebraska
Multiple rains are leading to flooded field areas in southern Nebraska. (Photo by Jenny Rees)

Corn Survival in Ponded or Flooded Fields

May 19, 2017
Heavy rains of 2 to more than 4 inches in south central Nebraska May 15-19 have led to ponding or flooding in many fields. Survival of young corn plants under these conditions depends on several factors, described here.

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cross-banded corn
Figure 1. Note the creases on second leaf of the two plants on the right. Perhaps these are the remnant effects of cross banding noted from this same field on May 9. (SCAL, May 16, 2017. Photos by Roger Elmore)

Cross-Banding on Corn Leaves: One Week Later

May 17, 2017
A gallery of photos showing decreased effect of yellow cross-banding in corn leaves in south central Nebraska one week after initial report in CropWatch. This effect was due to pre-emergent cold temperatures and is not expected to affect yield.

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Corn seedlings exhibiting "yellow banding"
Figure 1. "Cross-banding" on emerged corn at SCAL planted on April 17, 2017. Leaves were encased in the coleoptile below ground during the extreme dip in air and soil temperatures. Emergence occurred between May 5 and 10 and was about 50% May 10. Expect plant-to-plant variation in emergence, growth, and development with early-planted corn. (SCAL, May 10, 2017. Photos by Roger Elmore)

‘Cross-Banding’ on Corn Leaves Due to Pre-Emergent, Cold Soil Temperatures

May 12, 2017
Early-planted corn at the university's South Central Ag Lab was not emerged during the late-April cold snap, but upon emergence displayed symptoms of “cross-banding”: yellow to pale green, horizontal bands ― perpendicular to the leaf midribs. These often appear in a similar position on other seedlings and at about the same height above ground on different leaves.

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Wireworms

Scout Emerging Corn for Early Season Insects

May 11, 2017
As corn begins to emerge, be alert to the potential for damage from early season insects such as cutworms, wireworms, or white grubs. Wireworms and white grubs are most often associated with fields that have been in pasture or CRP where the grasses were allowed to grow for more than one year. It is rare to see these problems in continuous corn, but exceptions happen. Since wireworms and white grubs feed underground and cutworms feed on or below the soil surface, scout for plant damage and then dig in soil around the plant to identify the insect causing the damage.

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