Hail Recovery

Hail damaged crops
Hail-damaged corn field in Nebraska. (Photo by Jenny Rees)

Storm Damage Recovery, Options for Crop Producers to be Covered in June 16 Webinar

June 10, 2022
Experts in agronomy and agricultural economics from Nebraska Extension's Hail Know team will cover options for dealing with damaged commodities from a production perspective and discuss the role of crop insurance.

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June 7, 2022 hailstorms

Hail Damage Assessment Resources

June 10, 2022
A variety of resources are available to help Nebraska producers affected by recent hail events with assessing damage, recovery and replant options, as well as crop insurance considerations.

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Video: Weed Management Considerations Following Hail

Production loss estimates in corn from hail damage is a critical first step for determining the need to replant or to make adjustments on future inputs. Regardless of crop development stage, it is critical to wait 7-10 days to allow the crop to respond for proper evaluation. Production loss estimates by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation in corn may include remaining plant stand, defoliation and direct losses from ear damage depending on the stage of development. Additional losses and quality issues can occur with fungal infections so continued scouting of hail damage fields is important. Be sure to contact your crop adjuster before making any management decisions on a hail damaged crop. Justin McMechan, University of Nebraska Crop Protection and Cropping System Specialist.

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Hailed corn
Figure 1. Severely hail-damaged corn field where the ears are the top-most part of the plant. Following severe hail damage, cover crops can offer a variety of benefits from using available nitrogen to aiding weed control. (Photos by Jenny Rees)

Cover Crop Considerations Following Late-season Hail Storms

August 24, 2018
Cover crops offer a number of benefits in fields sustaining late-season hail damage, but should be planted soon to provide sufficient time for growth. A guide covers various cover crops and their use, seeding rates, and seeding method.

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Video: Managing a Recovering Crop

In addition to primary plant injury from hail, damage can occur later in the season from bacterial pathogens that enter plant wounds. This video addresses the potential for continued plant injury from bacterial disease and how best to manage harvest and grain storage. it also notes research showing that fungal pathogens do not cause additional injury post-hail.

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Managing Post-Hail Threats from Disease and Insects

Hail damage to plants can increase the likelihood of inoculation of some plant pathogens and infestation of some insect pests. These organisms can increase yield losses and, in some cases, make grain unmarketable.

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Infographic: Managing a Recovering Crop

Hail can strike late enough in the growing season that replanting isn’t a feasible option. This infographic focuses on several considerations for managing a recovering crop.

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