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David Aiken

faculty
Work Filley Hall (FYH) 103D
Lincoln NE 68583-0922
US
Work 402-472-1848 On campus, dial 2-1848
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Faculty Bio

Tar spot symptoms on corn leaf

Corn Disease Update: Fungicide Expectations for Disease Control

August 15, 2024
Persistent wet weather in the early growing season set the scene for corn diseases to flourish. This article provides guidance on using foliar fungicides to mitigate loss, regarding application timing, disease history, crop stage and weather impacts. 

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Six people stand on steps in front of building
The 109th Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference of the National Association of County Agriculture Agents recognized four Nebraska Extension professionals with national awards. (IANR News photo)

Nebraska Extension Professionals Honored with 2024 National Awards

August 14, 2024
Four Nebraska Extension professionals received national awards this year for excellence in extension programming and research initiatives.

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Man stands near equipment in field
Franz inspects one of the cosmic ray neutron sensors at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center. The sensors' readings indicate soil moisture levels. Solar flares, such as those that produced the auroras in Nebraska on May 10-11, trigger electromagnetic interference in the sensors' readings. UNL has taken steps to correct the distortions and ensure data reliability. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing)

Husker Projects Advance Study of Soil Moisture, Hydrology

August 14, 2024
UNL has installed a neutron monitor — the third of its kind in the U.S. — to improve the accuracy of soil moisture readings by correcting data affected by solar activity, which is crucial for agriculture and climate monitoring.

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Family standing beside fence
Farm families who decide to gift a portion of the business to heirs should weigh the options carefully — gifting shares during life may reduce the donor's tax liability but could also lower their income, whereas transferring ownership at death allows heirs to benefit from a step-up in the asset's tax basis, potentially reducing capital gains taxes. (CAP photo)

Ideas for Estate and Transition Planning: Gifting Ownership

August 14, 2024
The next installment of a series on bringing family members into an agricultural operation, this article focuses on the pros and cons of gifting shares of a business during the donor's life versus at their death.

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Man stands in corn field
A team led by Nebraska's James Schnable has received federal funding to expand the development of an innovative method to predict the performance of corn hybrids. The work is an important step toward commercializing new crop varieties. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing)

Schnable Expands Work to ID Corn Genes, Predict Hybrid Performance

August 14, 2024
The research team's efforts could lead to innovations that significantly streamline the process of breeding and commercializing high-yield, resilient corn varieties, which is crucial for meeting global food demands.

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soybean field during summer
Historical U.S. crop production reports are available at USDA.

USDA Forecasts U.S. Corn Production Down, Soybean Production Up from 2023

August 14, 2024
Nationwide, corn production is down by 1% from 2023, but soybean growers are expected to have a record-setting season, with the current yield forecast at 4.59 billion bushels.

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Corn field at sunset
Historical crop production reports for Nebraska are available at USDA.

Nebraska Crop Production Report for August 2024

August 14, 2024
Nebraska's 2024 corn production, currently estimated at 1.88 billion bushels, is on track to set a new record high for the state.

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Combine moving in field as black dust rises
Black dust from common bunt rises behind a combine during winter wheat harvest. (Photo by John Thomas)

Common Bunt Infection in Winter Wheat

August 14, 2024
Common bunt in winter wheat can be avoided by using certified seed, treating seeds with fungicide, and practicing crop rotation and field sanitation. These strategies are crucial to avoid infection and maintain healthy, productive wheat crops.

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