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Pasture and Forage Minute: Alfalfa Seed Selection, Grasshoppers After Drought

April 5, 2023

This week — Reviewing seed selection to avoid anthracnose and Phytophthora root rot, assessing alfalfa stands and predictions on grasshopper populations following the 2022 drought.

FarmBits Podcast: Predicting Spores

March 31, 2023

In the latest episode, FarmBits chats with Carlos Pizolotto, a Brazilian plant pathologist who is researching predictive models to prevent and control disease outbreaks in agriculture.

FarmBits Podcast: Soybean Solutions with Dr. Koch

March 31, 2023

Robert Koch of the University of Minnesota speaks to the FarmBits team about the soybean pest management research being conducted in his lab, using remote sensing for scouting and sampling fields for soybean aphids.

Droughty corn — Approximately $123 million in automatic financial assistance has been made available for qualifying Farm Loan Program (FLP) direct loan borrowers who meet certain criteria.

USDA Announces Additional Assistance for Distressed Farmers Facing Financial Risk

March 31, 2023

The new relief funds will begin dispersement in April, and all producers with open FLP loans will receive a letter that details eligibility, and information about qualifying for assistance and how to apply.

Wheat field — Weekly USDA NASS crop condition reports are set to begin April 3 for the 2023 growing season.

Crop Progress: Minimal Improvements for Winter Wheat, Soil Moisture

March 31, 2023

Very little change was recorded in winter wheat condition and soil moisture across Nebraska at the end of March, with only 22% of wheat in good-excellent condition.

Bee on flower — FieldWatch covers all registered commercial apiary sites, vineyards, orchards, fruit and vegetable grow sites, nursery and Christmas tree production sites, and certified organic and transitional organic crops. To add your site onto FieldWatch, visit the link below.

Online Mapping Service Connects Specialty Crop Growers, Pesticide Applicators and Beekeepers to Protect Sensitive Crops, Pollinators

March 31, 2023

As the growing season quickly approaches, producers are reminded to use FieldWatch and DriftWatch to protect specialty crop acreage and apiaries, which number in the thousands across Nebraska.

Discovery Days 2022 exhibit — A 2022 East Campus Discovery Days and Farmers Market attendee learns to lasso at the UNL Rodeo Club exhibit. The annual event, held on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s East Campus for three Saturdays each summer, offers locally grown and produced foods and crafts, educational activities from UNL departments, food trucks and live music. (Photo by Jordan Opp, University Communication and Marketing)

Growers Sought for East Campus Discovery Days

March 30, 2023

In addition to giving local growers a chance to connect with the public as business owners and agvocates, Discovery Days also showcases the ag research, teaching and extension taking place across IANR.

Legislative chamber — Two bills in the 2023 legislative session have the potential to impact Nebraska ag in significant ways — LB 591 would change the deadline for oral cropland lease termination notice from Sept. 1 to Jan. 1, and LB 662 would enhance protection for livestock owners from nuisance lawsuits. (Photo credit: Nebraska Unicameral Information Office)

Lease Termination Deadline, Livestock Nuisance Bills Among Ag Agenda Items in 2023 Nebraska Legislature

March 30, 2023

UNL Agricultural Law and Water Specialist Dave Aiken reviews the details of two bills in the 2023 legislative session dealing with farmland leases and livestock nuisance lawsuits.