Stripe Rust & Aphids Confirmed in Nebraska Wheat
April 15, 2016
Wheat disease surveys on April 8 and April 12-14 found stripe rust and leaf rust at trace to low levels in south central and southeast Nebraska and in the Panhandle. Given the locations of outbreaks in Banner County this spring are the same as when the disease was identified in seedlings last fall, the two rusts may have overwintered. See more reports and management recommendations.
Wheat Condition and Soil Moisture Reports
April 8, 2016
This week the National Drought Monitor rated almost 25% of Nebraska as "abnormally dry," a major change from 0% since Jan. 1. Most of the affected area was along the southern tier of Nebraska counties.
Nebraska Wheat Condition 60% Good-Excellent
April 5, 2016
For the week ending April 3 temperatures varied widely across Nebraska, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Parts of the Panhandle experienced below normal temperatures, while large portions of eastern Nebraska experienced temperatures up to five degrees above normal.
Freeze Damage to Western Nebraska Wheat Mostly Cosmetic
April 1, 2016
![Snow-covered wheat field at UNL's HPAL 3/31/2016](2016-CW-News/Images/Wheat/Wheat-snow-HPAL-wide-3-31-16.jpg)
Wheat Leaf Rust Confirmed in Nebraska
March 31, 2016
On March 30, leaf rust was found in several wheat fields in Nuckolls County in south central Nebraska. Severity was trace (Figure 1), but the rust was found in every field surveyed. Presence of leaf rust in Nebraska this early in the growing season suggests it may have overwintered or is a result of unusually warm winter temperatures which resulted in earlier than normal movement of spores from southern states into our region.
Wheat Rust in Kansas; Start Scouting Nebraska Fields
March 22, 2016
Due to above average temperatures this winter and going into the spring, coupled with moisture, stripe rust and leaf rust have moved north from southern states sooner than expected.
Assessing Freeze Injury to Wheat
Extension advises growers who are concerned about recent abnormally low temperatures to wait five days or so after the freeze to assess plant damage, as it takes several days of warm weather for injury to become apparent.
What's New in Winter Wheat Varieties
A USDA-ARS – University of Nebraska collaboration released two new wheat varieties — Husker Genetics Freeman Brand and NE05548 (Husker Genetics Brand Panhandle) — in 2013-2014. Both varieties will have limited seed available this fall for planting.