Storm Damage

Weeds in corn — Figure 1. A wet soybean field in south-central Nebraska. A pre-emergence herbicide was applied but due to continued excessive rainfall, the herbicide was washed away and weeds have started emerging.

Effect of Excessive Rainfall on Efficacy of Residual Herbicides Applied in Corn and Soybean

May 23, 2017

How excessive rainfall may affect the efficacy of residual herbicides is complex and influenced by multiple properties of the soil and the herbicide applied.

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.

Wheat variety trials exhibiting difference levels of storm damage — Figure 1. Wheat variety test plot northwest of McCook illustrates the difference in amount of damage among varieties from heavy wet snow and rain. (Photos by Robert Klein)

Be Patient When Assessing Winter Wheat Damage

May 5, 2017

Additional time is needed to properly access the injury and potential yield loss of Nebraska winter wheat, given the cold temperatures that followed last week's below freezing temperatures, heavy wet snow, and high winds. It takes at least a week to 10 days of warm temperatures to make a quality assessment.

Corn seedlings in flooded field — Figure 1. Corn seedlings growing in flooded field.

How Saturated Soils Affect Germination, Seedling Growth

May 12, 2016

Similar to last year’s heavy rains in early May, rain on May 9 and May 10-11 in portions of Nebraska have caused ponding and flooding across some fields. As of Sunday, May 8, USDA-NASS reported that 57% of Nebraska's corn was planted that is behind the 71% planting progress in 2015 but close to the

Hail Damage in Corn

May 11, 2016

Yield losses from hail storms will depend on the timing and severity of the hail, and subsequent environmental conditions. Regardless of the level of damage, farmers should be patient when evaluating early-season hail damage in corn and wait 7–10 days after a hail event to allow for crop regrowth. See more on replant decision, yield potential of surviving plants, hail and bacterial plant pathogens.

Aerial shot of grain bins in standing flood water — Flooded farmstead in northeast Nebraska where grain bins are in standing flood water. Here's how to manage stored grain which may have become contaminated by recent flooding. (Photo by Lee Valley, Inc.)

Flooding and Stored Grain

March 20, 2019

Updated: Flood-damaged grain is contaminated and at higher risk for mold. This Iowa State University story discusses how to manage stored grain that may have been exposed to flood waters.

Corn and Soybean Survival in Saturated and Flooded Soils

May 24, 2024

Several factors affect corn and soybean survival in flooded soils at early season growth stages. This Nebraska Extension article reviews considerations for growers concerned about impacts to seed germination for these crops.