USDA-NASS: Corn 61% Good-Excellent; Soybean, 60%

July 31, 2017

Winter wheat harvest has been completed across most of Nebraska, according to the July 30 report from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Significant rainfall of an inch or more was received across most of the state during the previous week and a few north central counties received as much as four inches of rain.

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Bunted wheat and loose smut of wheat.
Figure 1 (left). Bunted wheat grain containing spore masses of the stinking smut fungi. Figure 2 (right). Loose smut on a wheat head.

The Importance of Certified, Fungicide-Treated Wheat Seed

July 31, 2017
Planting clean, certified, fungicide-treated wheat seed is one of the first steps in assuring top yields from your 2018 wheat crop. Another is selecting resistant varieties, where available. Together these practices can help you more effectively manage seed-transmitted diseases of wheat.

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Manure being injected in wheat residue
Figure 1. Manure injected in wheat residue can be a valuable source of phosphorus.

Is Manure a Fertility Option for Wheat?

July 18, 2017
Interested in applying manure to wheat to meet phosphorus and nitrogen needs? This article outlines factors to consider and recommendations for manure and soil sampling, application method, and timing of application to get the highest return from your manure.

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Figure 1.  Red Willow County winter wheat variety plot.

Post-Harvest Weed Control in Winter Wheat

July 14, 2017
A strategy combining well-timed herbicide applications, split treatments, and effective cultural practices is key to managing weeds in wheat to reduce soil moisture loss and the weed seed bank. This story addresses what to consider as well as particular weed challenges in wheat.

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Figure 1.  A stripe rust susceptible (left) and resistant variety in a state variety trial in southeast Nebraska on June 3.
Figure 1. A stripe rust susceptible (left) and resistant variety in a state variety trial in southeast Nebraska on June 3.

2017 Stripe Rust Ratings from Eastern Nebraska Wheat Variety Trials

July 14, 2017
This year the onset of stripe rust was earlier in eastern Nebraska than in western Nebraska, allowing it to develop to levels that could be scored in state variety trials in Washington, Saunders, and Clay counties. A table provides ratings for a number of varieties and lines at three sites.

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Wheat streak mosaic virus in wheat
Severe wheat streak mosaic virus in a wheat field in Deuel County on May 15, 2017. (Photo by Stephen Wegulo)

Why Control of Volunteer Wheat is Critical to Protecting 2018 Yields

July 13, 2017
Timely control of volunteer wheat and other weeds is key to managing yield loss risk in your 2018 crop. Yield-limiting risk factors affected by weed control include wheat streak mosaic and other diseases, insects (wheat stem sawfly and disease vectors), moisture loss, and increased weed seed production.

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Chart of wheat futures prices

Post-Harvest Winter Wheat Marketing Strategies

July 11, 2017
When developing a post-harvest marketing plan, your objective should be to obtain a higher price than the cash price offered at harvest. This article discusses five strategies to post-harvest market winter wheat.

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Soybean field
Soybean field

Nebraska Plants Record High Soybean Acres, Up 10% from 2016

June 30, 2017
Nebraska's soybean acreage, estimated at 5.70 million acres in the June 30 USDA NASS report, was up 10% from last year and a record high. Nebraska corn at 9.80 million planted acres, is down 1% from last year.

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