Soil Management

Figure 1. Final soybean stand count was not necessarily an indicator of yield in this 2017 study of the effects of late-season (R3) nitrogen application in soybean. The Lincoln County plot (left) had a final stand count of 72,000 plants per acre and yielded 72.7-73 bu/ac. The Perkins County plot (right) had a final stand count of 161,000 plants per acre and yielded 74.4-77 bu/ac.

Is Late Season N Fertilization Warranted for Irrigated Soybean in Western Nebraska? November 2, 2018

On-farm research trials were conducted in three southwest Nebraska counties to study whether a late season N application during the pod setting and seed filling phases would increase soybean yields.

Odor plumes from land application of manure

Timing Manure Application to Avoid Neighbor Nuisances August 14, 2018

Roughly half of all neighbor complaints of livestock odors originate from land application of manure. This article outlines the weather conditions to consider when planning a manure application.

What's New with S Fertilizer Use? April 5, 2018

When is applying sulfur likely to be profitable and when is it cutting into your potential profit? This brief shares information from more than 100 university trials verifying current university recommendations.

How do You Define Soil Health? April 4, 2018

For many people the definition of soil health depends on their perspective and use of the soil. While definitions can vary widely, there are four common practices that everyone should consider to ensure healthy soil biota.

Legumes Can Benefit Your Pasture Mix March 2, 2018

Five years of grazing research in eastern Nebraska showed that brome/legume pastures produced almost four-tenths of a pound higher average daily gain on yearlings than did straight brome pastures fertilized with 50 lbs of nitrogen. Adding legumes to your pasture mix may be just the boost your production system needs.

Cover Crop and CO2 Emissions February 26, 2018

Do cover crops affect CO2 emissions from the soil and if so, under what conditions? These were among the questions addressed by university researchers monitoring CO2 emissions from cereal rye cover crops in irrigated and dryland no-till continuous corn treatments.

Figure 1. Aerial imagery was collected at bean emergence using a drone. All dark green rows correspond to plots with different rates of char (10, 20, 30, 40, and 60 tons/acre).

Coal Combustion Residue: A Potential Soil Amendment February 22, 2018

University of Nebraska researchers applied char, a by-product of sugar beet processing, at three sites to study its effect on soil properties.

Charles Shapiro speaking at a Nebraska Extension field day in the late 1980s.

It is Time to Hang Up the Soil Probe ― Reflections on a Career December 13, 2017

In his final article for CropWatch Nebraska Soil Scientist Charles Shapiro reflects on changes in crop nutrient management practices across his career.