Tractor tilling in wet soils
Tractor tilling in wet soils

Wait for Better Conditions before Heading Out on Wet Soils

May 27, 2016
Driving on or planting in wet soils can cause compaction and lead to reduced emergence, but how do you know when it's too wet? Check out these quick field tests of soil moisture.

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3 top tps for delayed soybean planting
3 top tps for delayed soybean planting

Adjusting for Delayed Soybean Planting

May 27, 2016
As wet conditions further delay soybean planting in some areas, learn what practices may need to be adjusted and which don't to achieve a successful soybean stand.

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Checking seed placement of a multi-hybrid planter
Figure 1. Joe Luck (left) and Rachel Stevens check seed placement of a multi-hybrid planter being tested as part of a collaborative research project among UNL researchers, industry, and growers.

UNL Precision Ag Leads Group Studying Multi-Hybrid Planter Applications in Corn and Soybeans

May 26, 2016
A multi-disciplinary UNL Precision Ag Research and Extension team is working with local and regional industry groups and growers to examine the use and potential for multi-hybrid planters. This new technology can plant at least two seed varieties in one trip or manage various seed treatments from separate bulk tanks on the planter.

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Corn leafing out below the surface
Corn seedling leafing out below the soil surface

Planting Delays? It's too Early to Consider Switching Hybrids or Moving to Soybeans

May 4, 2016
While corn planting has been delayed in areas of the state due to recent rains, it's too early to consider switching hybrids or switching to soybeans. The author addresses some key points to consider for those waiting to plant and those who planted early and may need to assess stand viability.

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Planting Corn into a Cereal Rye Cover Crop

April 29, 2016
Cereal rye has become a popular cover crop to reduce soil erosion and add carbon to the soil system.

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Q&A: How are Soil Temperatures Recorded?

April 29, 2016

Q: When and how are CropWatch soil temperatures recorded?

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Photos of canopy closure based on various planting dates
Figure 3. Canopy cover in early July for each planting date in a 2015 Nebraska study. Authors note that fields that have closed canopy and are "green to the eye by the 4th of July" make the best use of sunlight to generate top yields.PD = planting date.

Early Bird Gets the Worm: Benefits of Early Soybean Planting

April 20, 2016
Weather during the growing season (sunlight, temperature, and rainfall) will ultimately determine the soybean yield potential in a given year. While it is difficult to predict the weather ahead, you have an opportunity to manage your planting date to increase the odds of achieving a higher yield in 2016.

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Soybean Seeding Rate Tips

April 20, 2016

Numerous soybean seeding rate studies have indicated that a final plant population of about 80,000 to 120,000 plants per acre is likely sufficient for ensuring an economic return, with the latter being based on weighing the slightly higher yield potential with higher final pl

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