Latest Issue

Pest Management

Alfalfa Weevil Surging in Alfalfa Fields

Alfalfa weevil larvae have emerged in southeast, south-central and central Nebraska; scouting for this pest is crucial for alfalfa producers over the next few weeks.

Closeup of pesticide application on wheat field — For concerns regarding the use of chlorpyrifos on crops during the 2024 growing season, producers should contact their local extension educator for assistance.

Current Use of Chlorpyrifos and Food Tolerances

Nebraska Extension educators share guidance on the use of chlorpyrifos products on food and feed crops in the U.S.

Wheat Production

Wheat Disease Update: Stripe Rust Confirmed in Nebraska

The appearance of wheat disease has increased in Nebraska, with new observations of stripe rust in several counties and low levels of barley yellow dwarf and leaf spot diseases.

Extension Events

Farmers Invited to Attend Roller Crimper Workshop May 22

This short program will include a roller crimper demo, discussion on what conditions must be met to be successful with this termination method, and insights from farmers on their experiences with crimping.

Research Updates

Tractor applying nitrogen fertilizer to corn field — Three Nebraska Extension NebGuides have been updated to include information about the new UNL Nitrogen Tool, designed to increase efficiency of nitrogen use in crop production.

Nitrogen Management Suggestions for Corn Updated in EC117, EC155, and EC2008

The updated publications provide information about UNL's newly developed web-based nitrogen (N) recommendation tool for corn grain, adapted from extension's previous N recommendation equation.

Man holds cable reel above water well — Aaron Young, a survey geologist with the Conservation and Survey Division, performs maintenance on a water well. (Courtesy photo)

Nebraska Groundwater Levels Continue Decline After Prolonged Drought

Below-average precipitation and an increased need for irrigation have led to groundwater level declines of more than 20 feet at some locations in Nebraska.

Crop Reports

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

Crop Progress: Rain Delays Slow Planting Progress

Nebraska's recent turbulent weather caused some setbacks for corn and soybean planting, with corn planting now almost 20% behind last year's pace.

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 6-12, 2024

Nebraska Extension Educator Gary Stone shares the weekly crop water use outlook and tips on preparing for the 2024 irrigation season.

Forage Production

Musk thistle — For pastures with noxious weed thistles like this musk thistle, now is the time for spring herbicide applications, while the plants are still in the short rosette to bolted growth stages prior to flowering. (Photo by Gary Stone)

Pasture and Forage Minute: Selecting Summer Forages, Thistle Control Options

Insights on pasture rental rates, selecting summer forage based on needs for your operation, and control options for noxious weed thistles in pastures.

Annual forage field — This webinar reviews the pros and cons of adding an annual forage into crop rotations, with insights from Mary Drewnoski, extension beef systems specialist, Jay Parsons, extension farm and ranch management specialist, and Daren Redfearn, extension crop residue specialist. (USDA NRCS photo)

Measuring Up: Annual Forage vs. Row Crop

This webinar highlights the economics and production benefits of incorporating annual forage systems into crop rotations for producers interested in diversifying their operation.

IANR/Extension

Man speaks to audience at front of room — Gary Peterson, Colorado State University professor emeritus, delivered the opening keynote presentation at the Nebraska Soil Health School held at UNL’s High Plains Ag Lab on April 24. Peterson outlined historical events and mismanagement practices that have degraded the Great Plains soil and discussed the how and why the coupling of reduced tillage and cropping intensification can help growers rebuild soil. (Photo by Nicole Heldt)

2024 Nebraska Soil Health School has Successful Launch

The first Nebraska Soil Health School of the year was designed to provide potential management practices for producers in the Panhandle, with one focus being the practicalities of growing cover crops in semi-arid regions.

3-D mockup of precision ag research facility — The National Center for Resilient and Regenerative Precision Agriculture at Nebraska Innovation Campus will be a $160 million USDA laboratory, enabling USDA ARS to perform research on wheat, barley, sorghum, forage and bioenergy grasses, and other crops. Research on how these plants respond to emerging pests and pathogens under a full range of environmental conditions will empower scientists to make cutting-edge discoveries with the goal of developing climate-resilient crops for the U.S. agriculture industry. (Nebraska Today image)

Construction Begins on Groundbreaking Precision Ag Research Center

The state-of-the-art research center will house USDA ARS studies on the impact of emerging pests and pathogens on crops with the goal of developing climate-resilient crops for the U.S. agriculture industry.

Weather

One inch of precipitation by May 15 map — **Figure 1.** Probability of one inch of precipitation early next week.

Weekly Weather Outlook and Update: May 9, 2024

There is more rain expected for Nebraska next week, but it's likely to be followed by an extended dry period.

Land Management

Young row crop plants in field — Attendees of Land Management Quarterly can submit questions to the presenters prior to the webinar using the questionnaire form on the Land Management Quarterly website (link in article).

Ag Land Management Webinar to Offer Latest On Cash Rents, Changing Commodity Prices For 2024

The May 20 webinar will examine the latest average cash rental rates in the state, how to adjust rental rates with regard to current commodity prices, and will include a Q&A session for participants.

In Case You Missed It...

Ana Vélez looks through container of insects to camera in lab — Ana Vélez, associate professor of entomology, directs multiple projects in her lab, researching new genetic tools to help combat the western corn rootworm, one of the world's most devastating crop pests. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing)

Vélez is a Leader in Genetic Technology to Contain Corn Rootworm

Husker scientist Ana Maria Vélez is pioneering a genetic technology that increases larvae mortality to suppress western corn rootworm, which annually causes up to $2 billion in yield loss and control costs in the Corn Belt.

Men and women stand around tables looking at container plants — Attendees of the 2023 crop scout training course examine plants during one of the hands-on activities. (Nebraska Extension photo)

Nebraska Extension Offers Introductory-level Crop Scout Training May 21

The 2024 training course will review a wide variety of crop scouting concerns, such as drone scouting best practices, identifying nutrient deficiencies and insect damage in corn and soybean, and detecting weed seedlings.