Drought Advances This week the U.S. Drought Monitor moved another area of Nebraska into D3 extreme drought status (red). Areas in gold indicate severe drought, and tan indicates moderate drought. See 30- and 90-day forecasts.
Feeding in Corn Greenbugs and corn leaf aphids were reported this week in corn and sorghum fields in south central Nebraska. Natural predators can play a big role in controlling greenbugs. Learn more about them and treatment thresholds.

July 20, 2012

Corn Production

• 2012 Potential Corn Yields Based on July 15 Hybrid-Maize Model Simulations. At this point irrigated corn yields are still predicted to be near normal levels, while predicted dryland yields are dropping.  See predicted yields for 5 Nebraska sites as well as others in the western Corn Belt. 
• Aphids in Corn and Sorghum

Soybean Production

• Market Journal: Soybeans Reaching Critical Stage for Irrigation and news on forage options for drought-damaged corn, insect scouting, Southern Rust

Weather

• Temperatures Could Top 100°F with Winds over 20 mph.  The 30-day forecast for Nebraska indicates above average temperatures and below average or average precipitation.  A glimmer of hope exists in the 90-day forecast for increased precipitation in September and October.

Forage and Hay Production

• Feeding Value and Pricing of Drought-Stressed Corn Silage.  Issues to consider when setting a price, links to online decision-aid tools, and how to arrive at a total weight.
• Should you Hay or Cut Silage from Drought-Damaged Corn Fields? Factors to consider related to harvesting corn stalks.
• Hay Hotline Open for Drought-Damaged Corn

Drought

A large area of severe drought moved further east this week and a second area of extreme drought developed, this time in central Nebraska, according to the July 19 U.S. Drought Monitor. More than 75% of the state is now listed in extreme drought, an increase from 54.5% in the previous week's report. (Source: U.S. Drought Monitor)

• Droughtresources.unl.edu -- Timely, unbiased information for the farm, ranch and home; Extension Announces Site
• Six Nebraska Counties and 12 Contiguous Counties Declared Disaster Areas (see map)
• CRP Acreage Released for Emergency Haying and Grazing in 17 More Counties
• USDA Economic Research Service:  Farm and Food Impacts of the 2012 Drought  (external link)
• Midwest and Great Plains Drought Update Webinar - July 19 (external link to webinar page)
• Drought information from CropWatch

Field Update

• Field Updates from Extension; Sunflower Moth Alert (7/23)
• Field Update and Photos from the Panhandle 

News from Extension & IANR

• Hibberd Named New UNL Extension Dean and Director
•  UNL Dryland Cropping Systems Specialist Leaving PREC