Latest Updates from cropwatch.unl.edu

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

A glance at this week's crop water estimates and tips for Nebraska producers as they prepare for the 2024 irrigation season.

Crimping rye at a mild angle using a roller crimper. (CropWatch file photo) 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.

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) The state-of-the-art research center will enhance 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.

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

Figure 1. Probability of one inch of precipitation early next week. There is more rain expected for Nebraska next week, but it's likely to be followed by an extended dry period.

Aaron Young, a survey geologist with the Conservation and Survey Division, performs maintenance on a water well. (Courtesy photo) 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.

Figure 1. A grower’s wheat field in Lancaster County in southeast Nebraska with low levels of disease on May 8. (Photos by Stephen Wegulo) 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.

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

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. 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.

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) 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.

For concerns regarding the use of chlorpyrifos on crops during the 2024 growing season, producers should contact their local extension educator for assistance. Nebraska Extension educators share guidance on the use of chlorpyrifos products on food and feed crops in the U.S.

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). The May 20 webinar will examine the latest average cash rental rates in the state and offer insight on adjusting rental rates considering current commodity prices this year, including a Q&A session for participants.

Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA. Nebraska's recent turbulent weather caused some setbacks for corn and soybean planting, with corn planting now almost 20% behind last year's pace.

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

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

The Nebraska Hall of Agricultural new members are (from left) Tom Field, Tom Hoegemeyer, Loren Taylor, Wes Ullrich, Kelly Heath, David Briggs, Dave Nielsen, and Aaron Berger (not pictured). (Courtesy photo) Two UNL faculty members were among those recognized for their contributions to ag research at the 2024 Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement.

Figure 1. Projected precipitation Friday night, May 3 into Saturday morning, May 4. With two more rounds of storms inbound, the latest forecast includes another two to three inches of precipitation for eastern Nebraska by early next week and the potential for another round of severe weather on Monday, May 6.

The intake and onboarding process is a critical factor for employee success in the ag industry. A strong onboarding process has been shown to increase employee productivity by more than 70% and employee retention by 82%. Nebraska Extension Agricultural Economist Shannon Sand highlights strategies and best practices of intake and onboarding to help farm and ranch managers implement systems that will foster open communication and employee retention.

Nebraska Extension Educator Amy Timmerman explains how stand assessments can help growers determine whether a winter cereal crop should be terminated this spring.

Nebraska 4-H, a program of Nebraska Extension, reaches one in three youths in the state. Nebraska Extension staff and programs rea at the forefront of establishing agricultural practices to help ag producers save money and resources. This article highlights some of extension's recent successes and impacts in Nebraska.

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) 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.