Latest Issue

Please note: The next issue of CropWatch will publish June 7, 2024.

Flood Damage

Corn and Soybean Survival in Saturated and Flooded Soils

Several factors affect corn and soybean survival in flooded soils at early season growth stages. This Nebraska Extension article reviews considerations for growers concerned about impacts to seed germination for these crops.

Flooded field at ENREEC — Heavy rains in late May 2024 flood the fields of the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center. (Photo by Jenny Rees)

Q/A: What Impact Does Flooding and Saturated Soils Have on Wheat and Alfalfa?

Extension insights on crop recovery, disease and harvest considerations for flooded wheat and alfalfa fields.

Seeding in person's hand — When estimating whether severely injured plants will survive, check the growing point. Healthy growing point is yellow/white and firm as is shown in this picture. Unhealthy growing point is discolored and soft to the touch. (Photo by Jenny Rees)

Replanting Corn: Things To Do and Think About

Recent flooding events beginning May 20-21, 2024 in portions of the state have some concerned about the need to replant corn when waters recede. It’s important to assess potential recovery before making replant decisions.

Strategies with Delayed Soybean Planting

Adjusting soybean planting practices (row spacing, seeding rate and the use of custom planting) and relative maturity of the variety can help maximize yield potential when planting after mid-June.

Corn seeds germinating in soil — If you're unsure what corn hybrids will mature before average killing frost in your region of Nebraska, use the U2U GDD tool to compare scenarios of hybrids and planting dates for your location.

Corn Hybrid Maturities and Late Planting

Still planting corn and wanting to change to a different hybrid maturity? Here are some things to consider and a tool that can help you assess which hybrid options are likely to mature before an average fall freeze date for your location.

Wheat Production

Green wheat field in Nebraska — **Figure 1.** Research plots at Havelock Research Farm in Lincoln, Lancaster County on May 23. (Photos by Stephen Wegulo)

Wheat Disease Update for May 23, 2024

Stripe rust observations and severity have increased in Nebraska, and Fusarium head blight was detected at trace levels.

Insect Management

Pillbugs Causing Injury to Soybean Crops in Nebraska

Management of pillbugs is challenging. While some insecticides and planting strategies may help control pillbug populations, producers should carefully weigh the pros and cons of each approach.

Herbicide Management

This Week on N Field: Adjuvants with Pre-emergence Herbicides

Nebraska Extension Weed Management Specialist Amit Jhala offers advice to growers on using labeled adjuvants with pre-emergence herbicides for better results with weed control.

Forage Production

Silage pit on farm covered with tires — Once silage is exposed to oxygen, its quality can decrease quickly. For best results, don’t expose more than three days’ worth of a pile at a time.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Retaining Silage Quality During Feedout, Grasshopper Management

Tips on retaining silage condition during feedout, planning the optimal time for grass hay harvest, and controlling grasshopper in rangeland and forages.

Man, woman and child kneel in pasture — There are four key points to remember during the process of planning and planting perennial grasses: seed cost, seedbed, seeding depth and weed control.

Economic Considerations for Converting Cropland to Perennial Grazing Lands

Extension educators review the financial and operational considerations of converting cropland to grass pastures.

TAPS

UNL-TAPS to Host Summer Field Day on June 19

This year's annual field day will include new contests in the Agronomic Olympics, live demos, guest speakers and a four-man golf scramble.

Crop Reports & AgNews

Dry bean field — Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA. (CropWatch file photo)

Crop Progress: Dry Edible Bean Planting Underway

As corn planting nears the finish line in Nebraska, dry edible bean producers are getting started on their planting season.

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

Crop Progress: Nebraska Plantings Back on Track

Planting was in full swing last week and Nebraska farmers made significant progress on corn and soybean. As of May 19, most crops were just slightly behind average planting pace.

Extension Crop and Pest Reports (May 20-24)

Extension educators share their observations in Nebraska fields this week.

Greenhouse with signage in foreground — The North Platte NRD’s Greener Gardens Greenhouse will be one of the stops on the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Society annual meeting tour. (Photo by Chabella Guzman)

Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Society to Host Annual Meeting in Scottsbluff

This year’s theme is “Tech Talks — Tech Walks,” focusing on various technologies, with tours planned at a local organic heritage seed farm and North Platte NRD's geothermal greenhouse.

Woman farmer near grain bin — 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.

U.S. Paves Way for UN to Declare 2026 as International Year of the Woman Farmer

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.

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 20-26, 2024

Nebraska Extension Educator Gary Stone highlights anticipated crop water use with regard to ongoing precipitation.

Estimated Crop Water Use for May 27-June 2, 2024

Estimated crop water use for Nebraska Panhandle crops for the previous week and the upcoming week.

Weather

Weekly Weather Outlook and Update: May 23, 2024

Nebraska will have a brief break from precipitation early next week, but another round of storms is expected to bring rainfall back to the state by Thursday, May 30.

Farm Management

Man speaks to older couple near vehicles and farm equipment — While land, machinery and equipment are the most logical options, any physical asset used on your farm or ranch could be considered in a gift leaseback for family members looking to join the operation. (CAP photo)

Ideas for Estate and Transition Planning: Gift Leaseback

Continuing a series on ideas and tactics for bringing another family member into the operation, this extension article expands on strategies to transfer wealth by combining gifts with a lease agreement.

IANR/Extension

Woman holds rebar near computer — Christine Wittich, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, has received a five-year, $615,387 Faculty Early Career Development Program award grant from the National Science Foundation to improve the structural engineering of steel grain bins. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing)

Wittich Aims to Strengthen Grain Bins Against Earthquakes, Wind Storms

UNL Department of Civil Engineering Assistant Professor Christine Wittich is filling a gap in research on improving the vulnerabilities of steel grain bins, which could one day lead to different construction standards.

Subscribe to the CropWatch Podcast

UNL's Dr. Craig Allen talks about resilience in agricultural landscapes and how the concept of panarchy can be used to better manage and adapt to the changing environment and climate.

In Case You Missed It...

Fusarium Head Blight Management

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

The Impact of Spring Rainfall on Available Soil Moisture

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.