Austin Duerfeldt
Introduction in CropWatch

Austin Duerfeldt was the Southeast District Agricultural Economist Extension Educator from 2018-2021. 

Woman holds rebar near computer
Christine Wittich, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, has received a five-year, $615,387 Faculty Early Career Development Program award grant from the National Science Foundation to improve the structural engineering of steel grain bins. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing)

Wittich Aims to Strengthen Grain Bins Against Earthquakes, Wind Storms

May 23, 2024
UNL Department of Civil Engineering Assistant Professor Christine Wittich is filling a gap in research on improving the vulnerabilities of steel grain bins, which could one day lead to different construction standards.

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Soybean seedling damaged by pillbugs

Pillbugs Causing Injury to Soybean Crops in Nebraska

May 23, 2024
Management of pillbugs is challenging. While some insecticides and planting strategies may help control pillbug populations, producers should carefully weigh the pros and cons of each approach.

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Greenhouse with signage in foreground
The North Platte NRD’s Greener Gardens Greenhouse will be one of the stops on the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Society annual meeting tour. (Photo by Chabella Guzman)

Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Society to Host Annual Meeting in Scottsbluff

May 22, 2024
This year’s theme is “Tech Talks — Tech Walks,” focusing on various technologies, with tours planned at a local organic heritage seed farm and North Platte NRD's geothermal greenhouse.

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Man stands at water tank holding hose

UNL-TAPS to Host Summer Field Day on June 19

May 22, 2024
This year's annual field day will include new contests in the Agronomic Olympics, live demos, guest speakers and a four-man golf scramble.

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Silage pit on farm covered with tires
Once silage is exposed to oxygen, its quality can decrease quickly. For best results, don’t expose more than three days’ worth of a pile at a time.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Retaining Silage Quality During Feedout, Grasshopper Management

May 21, 2024
Tips on retaining silage condition during feedout, planning the optimal time for grass hay harvest, and controlling grasshopper in rangeland and forages.

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Corn field
Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA.

Crop Progress: Nebraska Plantings Back on Track

May 20, 2024
Planting was in full swing last week and Nebraska farmers made significant progress on corn and soybean. As of May 19, most crops were just slightly behind average planting pace.

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Water droplets

To receive 2024 weekly crop water use reports via text message, subscribe on the PHREC AgLab site.

Estimated Crop Water Use for May 20-26, 2024

May 20, 2024
Nebraska Extension Educator Gary Stone highlights anticipated crop water use with regard to ongoing precipitation.

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Precipitation outlook for May 16-23

Weekly Weather Outlook and Update: May 16, 2024

May 17, 2024
A very active weather pattern is on the way to Nebraska. For farmers trying to get crops in the ground, there likely won't be more than 72 consecutive hours without precipitation between Sunday, May 19 and the end of the month.

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