Feed aggregator

Friday, May 17, 2024

As we approach the end of May, it may be time to start thinking of the summer heat, particularly that first heat event that cattle and folks who manage may not be prepared for.  The following is a list of some strategies cattle feedlot managers and their crews could begin thinking about as nice weather today turns into heat-stressing weather later. 

The list is divided into areas of focus based on cattle type, feeding and watering considerations, and facilities management.

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Friday, May 17, 2024

This article is a review of the 2024 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report, Strategies for DDGS Supplementation Frequency to Grazing Yearling Steers.

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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.

Figure 1. An irrigated wheat field in Perkins County with no disease on May 15. (Photos by Stephen Wegulo) The prevalence of stripe rust has significantly increased in Nebraska, with infections identified in 15 southern counties so far.

Extension educators report on what they are seeing in the fields this week in Colfax, Butler, Polk, Adams, Kearney, Franklin and Webster counties.

Seven exam prep courses will be offered across the state June through August for producers and other members of the public who need to obtain a Part 107 remote pilot certification or license to fly drones for commercial applications. The second round of prep courses offered by extension this year, Part 107 will prepare producers to pass the FFA exam and earn a remote pilot certification for commercial use of drones on their operations.

To see how your planting progress compares to the statewide progress reported by USDA NASS, view the latest crop progress report here. This article examines the individual planting progress of 14 Nebraska producers in comparison to planting progress reported weekly by USDA NASS.

Nathan Mueller, Nebraska Extension water and cropping systems educator, speaks to participants during the 2023 4Rs Nutrient Stewardship Field Day. New to the 4Rs Field Day in 2024 is a demonstration on UNL's newly developed web-based N tool, designed to increase efficiency of nitrogen use, as well as ease of record-keeping.

Identification of field pennycress is key for management this fall. See this N Field episode for tips on scouting and control options.

Several local organic farmers who utilize flame weeding will share their experiences with the technique during the workshop Aug. 22 at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center. (Department of Agronomy and Horticulture photo) The workshop will feature demonstrations on how to do proper flaming to control over 10 major Midwestern weeds in field corn, sweet corn, popcorn, soybean, sorghum, sunflower, alfalfa and wheat.

This online resource highlights nitrogen facts and statistics for the state of Nebraska.

Nebraska Extension Educator Nathan Mueller chats with participants during the 2023 Youth Crop Scouting Competition. (CropWatch file photo) The top three teams of the 2024 crop scouting competition will receive cash prizes, and the top two teams will advance onto regionals. See more details about the 11th annual competition in this article.

Assessing whether rainfall is sufficient to recharge soil moisture to adequate levels is not an easy task. This article covers key aspects of soil-water relations and how recent rainfall in Nebraska may affect available soil moisture for future irrigation decisions.

The frequent rainfall events in late April and early May in southeast Nebraska may have set the stage for a potential 2024 Fusarium outbreak. This article outlines fungicide application timing and other management considerations.

In addition to highlighting the importance and achievements of women in the ag industry, the International Year of the Woman Farmer initiative will support ongoing UN efforts to address gender equity, food security and poverty. The worldwide observance will call attention to the vital role that women play in global food and agricultural production, as well as raise awareness of the unique challenges they face in the ag industry.

The worst compaction happens on the first pass across the field, so controlling traffic will help minimize compaction as a whole. Insights on how wet field conditions affect compaction and ways to mitigate compaction when field work can't be delayed.

A new herbicide, KHNP0090, has been developed by Bayer CropScience for application on dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton. The public has until June 3, 2024 to make comments on the registration of a new Bayer CropScience dicamba product for dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton.

The public is invited to hear insights from numerous innovative companies on revolutionary new and emerging technologies for the ag industry at the next Heuermann Lecture, which is free to attend and will be livestreamed.

For more information or assistance with completing a USDA NASS survey, visit the respondent portal. Producers are encouraged to provide information on planted and harvested acreage, including acreage for biotech crops, and grain stocks, to aid NASS in determining the national supply of commodities for the 2024 crop year.

Though delaying small grain harvest can produce higher yields, it also decreases crude protein content. Producers should consider the animal being fed and feeding method before harvesting to get the most out of these crops. With the first harvest of 2024 beginning soon, producers should take this time to perform equipment maintenance and strategize the timing of alfalfa and small grains harvest based on operational needs.