Crop News
Ogallala the Site of Two-day Sustainable Ag Conference
LINCOLN, Neb. — Growing and marketing organic wheat, along with integrating livestock into alternative cropping systems, will be featured during the third annual Western Sustainable Ag Crops and Livestock Conference Dec. 11-12 at the Grey Goose Lodge in Ogallala.
Workshops will assist producers to grow Nebraska fuels
University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension’s annual “Growing Corn and Soybeans to Fuel Nebraska” workshop will take place in five locations across the state, said Bob Klein, UNL western Nebraska crops specialist.
Water-focused Educator transfers to Dawson County
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – People in Dawson County will now see more of University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension Educator, Alan Corr, since he has transferred his office from the West Central Research and Extension Center in North Platte to the Dawson County Extension Office in Lexington.
Invasives can cost millions; new ones moving into Nebraska
Invasive species can dramatically change the landscape, rivers’ hydrology, soil nutrient cycles and land use, said a University of Nebraska–Lincoln project coordinator.
Early September best to treat perennial weeds
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – A University of Nebraska–Lincoln specialist recommends treating perennial weeds in early fall to take advantage of winter weather.
Planting time critical to winter wheat yields
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – Planting just two or three weeks early can make the difference between a bumper winter wheat crop and a disaster, said a University of Nebraska–Lincoln specialist.
Cover crops in no-till, hedge against drought
HOLDREGE, Neb. – Not only can cover crops planted in no-till fields fix nitrogen in the short term, they can also reduce soil erosion and mitigate the effects of drought in the long term, said a Natural Resource Conservation Service agronomist at a recent extension no-till conference in Holdrege.
New UNL worksheet evaluates irrigation efficiency
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – University of Nebraska–Lincoln engineers have developed an online spreadsheet to help irrigators evaluate their pumping plant efficiency, said a UNL irrigation specialist at a recent extension workshop.
Seed treatments increase yield
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – New winter wheat seed treatments have proved very effective, increasing yield by a bushel or two per acre even when no disease is detected, said a University of Nebraska–Lincoln specialist.
Control grasshoppers now to reduce crop damage
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – Large numbers of grasshoppers are damaging crops in parts of Nebraska, so producers should be taking immediate control measures, said a University of Nebraska–Lincoln technologist.
First wheat variety test results now available
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – Many of the 2009 winter wheat variety test results are now available online and the rest will soon follow, said a University of Nebraska–Lincoln specialist.
Early weed control critical to next year’s crop
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. -- Next year’s success with rainfed crops depends on water saved this year so producers should retain wheat residues, but they need to keep weeds under control, said a University of Nebraska–Lincoln specialist.
No-till can save water, pumping cost
HOLDREGE, Neb. – Irrigated crops grown in no-till may require three to five inches less water from rain or irrigation than those grown under conventional tillage, said University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension Educator Steve Melvin.
Corn, dry bean producers should watch for cutworms
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – Corn and dry bean producers should monitor their crops for western bean cutworms, said University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension Educator, Ron Seymour.
Fertilization easier in no-till
HOLDREGE, Neb. – Not only do crop residues left in no-till systems prevent soil erosion and run off, they also contribute nutrients to the next crop, said a Ward Laboratories soil scientist.
Scout wheat early to beat pre-harvest intervals
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – Wheat producers should watch for significant fungal disease infestations in order to treat any problems in time to meet pre-harvest intervals, said a UNL specialist.
Weather key in treating wheat diseases
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. -- Producers should check the weather forecast before deciding on treatment for fungal diseases of wheat, said a University of Nebraska–Lincoln specialist.
Diagnostic clinic helps identify wheat diseases
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – Before treating fungal diseases in wheat, producers need to know what diseases they’re treating and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has a lab to help with that diagnosis, said a UNL specialist.
Efficient irrigation timing can save water and dollars
HOLDREGE, Neb. – Producers can save money and more effectively use stored moisture and rainfall if they schedule irrigation only when the crop really needs it, said Chuck Burr, University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension Educator in Phelps and Gosper counties.
Fertilization easier in no-till
HOLDREGE, Neb. – Not only do crop residues left in no-till systems prevent soil erosion and run off, they also contribute nutrients to the next crop, said a Ward Laboratories soil scientist.
