All

John Thomas

faculty

Exten Educator NE Ext Engagement Zone 1 University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Work

415 Black Hills Ave Alliance NE 69301-3243

Work 308-762-5616

jthomas2@unl.edu

vCard

Crops Extension Educator for the northern Nebraska Panhandle

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.

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.

Pile of harvested corn for silage — Certain silage inoculants can significantly improve the aerobic stability of silage by reducing spoilage when it's re-exposed to air, making them especially useful for large silage piles or bunkers that are difficult to keep fresh.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Recommendations for Storing Quality Silage

August 14, 2024

Extension educators highlight the importance of using the right inoculants and storage methods for corn silage to improve fermentation, reduce spoilage and maintain feed quality.

Corn in dented growth stage — Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA.

Crop Progress: Crop Conditions Favorable as Mid-August Approaches

August 13, 2024

Most Nebraska crops remain in good to excellent condition, with progress in their growth stages ahead of or near the average for this time of year.

Water spraying into corn field — Field corn under pivot irrigation. (Photo by Chabella Guzman)

Irrigation Season Could Run Longer for Dry Bean Crop

August 13, 2024

Updates on crop progress, irrigation water deliveries and crop water use for growers in the Panhandle and western Nebraska.

Drone spraying wheat field — Interested in seeking educational registration discounts to attend the conferences? See the link below to apply.

Don’t Miss Nebraska’s Only Agricultural Drone Conferences on Aug. 14 and 15

August 13, 2024

Keynote speakers for the conferences will be Jonathan Rupprecht, presenting information on the law system for unmanned aircrafts, and Steve Li, who will address efficacy of spray drone applications and mitigating drift.

Farmland Valuation: Understanding Income Capitalization and Cap Rates

August 8, 2024

Cornhusker Economics experts define several factors that are used by farm appraisers to estimate income value of farmland.

Woman holding soil on farm ground — EQIP is open to all eligible agricultural producers and submitted applications may be considered or evaluated in multiple funding pool opportunities.

Everything on EQIP for Producers

August 8, 2024

In this series of UNL Water articles, producers can brush up on EQIP eligibility and application requirements to receive assistance with natural resource concerns on their land.

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