Field of wheat near McCook April 27, 2017.
A good, thick stand of wheat, such as this one near McCook provides a warmer microclimate near the soil surface that reduces the potential for freeze injury. (Photos by Robert Klein)

Assessing Freeze Injury to Wheat

April 27, 2017
As temperatures dropped below 28° F at a number of sites this week, the authors address how to assess whether freeze damage has occurred.

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Table of USDA NASS Crop Progress for Nebraska

Above Normal Temps Lead to Jump in Corn Planting Progress

April 25, 2017

With temperatures averaging two to four degrees above normal for the week ending April 23, corn planting was well underway and soybean planting had started in Nebraska, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

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Wheat stripe rust
Figure 1. Stripe rust was found this week in wheat fields in two Nebraska counties ― Sheridan and Box Butte ― and growers are urged to scout fields regularly.
stripe rust in wheat

Stripe Rust Identified in Panhandle Wheat

April 18, 2017
Minor levels of striped rust have been confirmed in winter wheat from a field in Sheridan County north of Rushville. The infections occurred on only a few leaves and pustules were very small and difficult to see. Growers are encouraged to continue scouting wheat for disease; a fungicide application is not recommended at this time.

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Healthy wheat field in early April
Figure 1: A wheat research field at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Havelock Farm in Lancaster County on April 6

Wheat Disease Update

April 7, 2017
Winter wheat growth in Nebraska is progressing at a steady pace, with most fields now green with little or on disease; however, growers are urged to continue scouting their wheat for early signs of disease as current and forecasted wet weather this spring is likely to lead to severe disease outbreaks.

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Nebraska Winter Wheat 47% Good-Excellent

April 3, 2017

Nebraska winter wheat condition rated 2% very poor, 9% poor, 42% fair, 42% good, and 5% excellent, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service report released today.

Oat planting was 28% complete, ahead of 18% last year and 25% for the five-year average.

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USDA chart of US corn stocks as of 3/1/17

USDA: US and Nebraska Grain Stock Report as of March 1, 2017

March 31, 2017
Compared with March 1, 2016 Nebraska grain stocks in major categories were all up: corn, 5%; soybean, 17%; wheat, 45%; and sorghum 27%.

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USDA chart of US corn soybean acreage 1997-2017

US & Nebraska Prospective Plantings: Record Soybean Acreage

March 31, 2017
At 89.5 million projected acres, the 2017 US soybean acreage would set a record high and near the planting estimate for corn at 90 million acres, according to the March 31 USDA Prospective Plantings Report. In Nebraska soybean acres were also up (5.7 million acres) while corn dropped to 9.55 million acres.

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