Nebraska CropWatch

The Nebraska On-Farm Research Network is an innovative program run by Nebraska Extension and coordinated by Laura Thompson, an extension educator and the guest of this podcast episode. As part of this program, Nebraska Extension partners with farmers in the state to help answer production, profitability, and natural resource questions. The results of these studies are then published in an annual report.    To learn more, visit the On-Farm Research Network website: https://on-farm-research.unl.edu/  You can access the 2022 annual report here: https://on-farm-research.unl.edu/result-publications  You can also utilize a searchable database with over 1,000 studies here: https://resultsfinder.unl.edu/    Please visit www.cropwatch.unl.edu to stay up-to-date on the latest crop production information for Nebraska. 

The University of Nebraska Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) program is an innovative program developed by University of Nebraska research and extension specialists and educators. These competitions bring together UNL scientists and extension professionals, producers, industry leaders, agriculture students, government regulators and agency personnel to become part of a highly engaged network focused on evolving profitability and input-use efficiency. This low-risk environment offers participants the ability to test a large variety of strategies and technologies, as well as gives them access to a large dataset from the competitions at the end of the year.  In this episode, we speak with Tracy Zink, the 2022 Sorghum Triple Crown Winner, to learn about the practices she used in her plots. To learn more about TAPS and to see results and data from the competition, visit www.taps.unl.edu or www.cropwatch.unl.edu  To get involved, send an email to taps@unl.edu  You can now find the Nebraska CropWatch Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UNLCropWatch/videos  Be sure to follow CropWatch on Twitter @UNL_CropWatch and Nate Dorsey @UNLNateDorsey

The University of Nebraska Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) program is an innovative program developed by University of Nebraska research and extension specialists and educators. These competitions bring together UNL scientists and extension professionals, producers, industry leaders, agriculture students, government regulators and agency personnel to become part of a highly engaged network focused on evolving profitability and input-use efficiency. This low-risk environment offers participants the ability to test a large variety of strategies and technologies, as well as gives them access to a large dataset from the competitions at the end of the year.  In this episode, we speak with Chuck Burr, an extension educator who helps run the TAPS program, and Shawn Woollen, the winner of the highest input use efficiency in the 2022 sprinkler irrigated corn competition.  To learn more about TAPS and to see results and data from the competition, visit www.taps.unl.edu or www.cropwatch.unl.edu  To get involved, send an email to taps@unl.edu  Be sure to follow CropWatch on Twitter @UNL_CropWatch and Nate Dorsey @UNLNateDorsey  

Manure is a valuable resource in agriculture, but it can be a challenge to manage and protect natural resources, such as ground and surface water quality. The Animal Manure Management Team is holding several Manure Land Application Trainings throughout the state that offer certifications that are required of some livestock producers.  You can learn more on the following webpages: https://water.unl.edu/lat https://cropwatch.unl.edu/ Make sure to follow CropWatch on Twitter @UNL_CropWatch  

For those who apply pesticides commercially or noncommercially, or private applicators who apply restricted use pesticides on their properties, pesticide certifications are required. Jennifer Weisbrod, an extension educator and the pesticide safety program coordinator for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, joins us on this podcast episode to talk about pesticide certifications. These are earned by attending trainings hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln throughout the state.  To learn more, visit: www.pested.unl.edu   You can also learn more on the CropWatch website: www.cropwatch.unl.edu Follow CropWatch on Twitter @UNL_CropWatch

Sugarbeets are an important crop in the Nebraska Panhandle, but weed management is a significant challenge. A small weed population in sugarbeet fields can have a huge impact on yield, making weed management critical. Dr. Nevin Lawrence, an associate professor with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, explains that one method for dealing with glyphosate resistant palmer amaranth is wiping paraquat with specialized equipment.  To learn more, please visit the following articles.  https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2022/wiping-paraquat-rescue-or-salvage-treatment-sugarbeet https://extension.uga.edu/content/dam/extension/programs-and-services/integrated-pest-management/documents/handbooks/2022-comm-chapters/Peanut.pdf You can follow CropWatch on Twitter @UNL_CropWatch  You can also follow Nate Dorsey on Twitter @UNLNateDorsey  

In-field disasters, ranging from floods, to hail, to fire, can be disastrous. With how dry the 2022 season was in Nebraska, fires were common throughout the state. This fall, several areas of the state experienced field fires that damaged crops prior to harvest. In this episode, we speak with Mitiku Mamo, an extension educator for Dixon, Wayne, Cedar, and Knox Counties, about a fire-affected field in his area.  To read the articles mentioned in this podcast, visit the following websites: The Feeding Value of Heat Damaged Corn Grain in Cattle Diets https://dr.lib.iastate.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/5f57ebb6-5d4e-4d18-8824-4e5eab1ca2a6/content  Preventing and Responding to Combine Fires https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2022/preventing-and-responding-combine-fires  FAQ for Fire Damage to Unharvested Crops and Harvested Ground https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2022/faq-fire-damage-unharvested-crops-and-harvested-ground To learn more, visit www.cropwatch.unl.edu   You can follow CropWatch on Twitter @unl_CropWatch and you can also follow Nate Dorsey @UNLNateDorsey

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) can drastically reduce yields in soybeans without displaying any above-ground symptoms. When unexplained yield loss occurs, it's highly recommend that producers consider sampling for Soybean Cyst Nematode. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Dylan Mangel, a soybean extension plant pathologist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, about this pest, how to sample, and best practices for managing SCN if it's present.    To learn more, visit:  www.cropwatch.unl.edu www.thescncoalition.com To request sample bags and submit your own free sample (for Nebraska producers only), contact your local University of Nebraska-Lincoln extension educator.   

The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) collects and publishes valuable data on agricultural production. This includes weekly crop progress reports and regular crop production reports for each state. Nick Streff, Regional Director for the NASS Northern Region, joins this episode of the podcast to talk about these reports and other data made available through USDA NASS.  Visit www.cropwatch.unl.edu to learn more.    You can follow CropWatch on Twitter @UNL_CropWatch. You can also follow Nate Dorsey on Twitter @UNLNateDorsey

Cover crops are a valuable tool for improving soil health and protecting resources. To help make management decisions, such as planting and termination dates, water use, and more, a team of researchers developed and released a Cover Crop Biomass Calculator. The calculator is available on the CropWatch website. You can find it here: https://cropwatch.unl.edu/#/cover-crop-biomass-calculator/  The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has also published several other valuable resources, such as: Considerations when planting green: https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2020/considerations-when-planting-green  Seeding rates for cover crops: https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2020/seeding-rates-broadcasting-cover-crops-late-season-corn-and-soybean  You can follow Nate Dorsey on Twitter @UNLNateDorsey and CropWatch @UNL_CropWatch . Visit www.cropwatch.unl.edu for the latest news and information for Nebraska Agriculture. 

In this episode we speak with Daniel Smith, Southwest Regional Agronomist with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, about weed seed distribution from combines. Smith was a presenter at the Soybean Management Field Days held throughout the state of Nebraska, and spoke about his research on weed seed distribution, where weed seeds hide in combines, and how to perform a quick field cleanout to prevent spreading seeds within fields and to new areas of the farm.  To learn more, read this related CropWatch article: https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2022/preventing-weed-seed-distribution-combines  You can also view a video that Smith put together that reviews the combine cleaning process:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMq1UanSkE&feature=emb_imp_woyt  You can follow Nate Dorsey on Twitter @UNLNateDorsey and CropWatch @UNL_CropWatch . Visit www.cropwatch.unl.edu for the latest news and information for Nebraska Agriculture. 

Cover crops are a useful tool for improving soil health and water quality, but can be challenging to plant. In Nebraska, cover crops are often planted after harvest, but it leaves little time for cover crops to establish before winter conditions set in. Interseeding cover crops in late season corn is one possible method of increasing cover crop success. In this episode, we hear from several guests about a unique interseeding project the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is conducting in partnership with several Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) and the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE).   To learn more about cover crop interseeding, check out these helpful resources: https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2022/comparing-cover-crop-planting-methods https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2020/seeding-rates-broadcasting-cover-crops-late-season-corn-and-soybean  You can follow Nate Dorsey on Twitter @UNLNateDorsey and CropWatch @UNL_CropWatch . Visit www.cropwatch.unl.edu for the latest news and information for Nebraska Agriculture.   

Knowing when to stop irrigating and how much to apply is one of the last and most challenging decisions of the growing season. In this episode, Bruno Lena, an extension educator for Platte, Boone, and Nance counties, explains the three main factors that go into accurately calculating the final irrigation for corn and soybeans.  To learn more about how to calculate this, visit his CropWatch article at: https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2022/scheduling-last-few-irrigations-season    You can also view the NebGuides that were mentioned in this episode here: Predicting the Last Irrigation of the Season: https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/9000016365946/predicting-the-last-irrigation-of-the-season/  Estimating Soil Moisture by Appearance and Feel: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/extensionhist/1201/  You can follow Nate Dorsey on Twitter @UNLNateDorsey and CropWatch @UNL_CropWatch . Visit www.cropwatch.unl.edu for the latest news and information for Nebraska Agriculture.   

Corn in much of the state has been impacted by drought conditions this summer. In some cases, it may make sense to utilize this corn as a source of animal feed rather than harvest for grain. However, this is not without risk, primarily in regards to animal health. In this episode of the Nebraska CropWatch Podcast, Brad Schick, a Beef Systems Extension Educator with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, provides information on considerations for using corn as animal feed. This includes when and how to harvest, concerns around high nitrate levels, and how to best manage corn harvested for animal feed if this is the case.     For additional information, please view these resources: Drought-stressed Corn Feed Opportunity https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2018/drought-stressed-corn-feed-opportunity The Use and Pricing of Drought-stressed Corn https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/9000016366038/the-use-and-pricing-of-drought-stressed-corn/ Nitrates in Livestock Feed https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/9000016365158/nitrates-in-livestock-feeding/   You can follow Nate Dorsey on Twitter @UNLNateDorsey and CropWatch @UNL_CropWatch  

Hot and dry weather throughout the state of Nebraska has increased the risk of spider mite damage for corn and soybeans. The Nebraska CropWatch Podcast's new host, Nate Dorsey, talks with entomologist Dr. Bob Wright, about the different species of spider mites, how to diagnose damage in the field, and management strategies that can be used.  The CropWatch articles referenced in this episode can be viewed here: https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2016/managing-spider-mites-corn-and-soybean  https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2016/identifying-spider-mite-damage-species-responsible  For information on management and control of spider mites, view the publication EC130, 2022 Guide for Weed, Disease, and Insect Management in Nebraska, available here: https://marketplace.unl.edu/extension/ec130.html You can follow Nate Dorsey on Twitter @UNLNateDorsey and CropWatch @UNL_CropWatch  

Join us as we talk with Dr. Tamra Jackson-Ziems and Dr. Dylan Mangel about corn and soybean diseases to be on the lookout for after a hailstorm and what to be watching your fields for this year.

HailKnow!! Join us as we talk with crops specialist Dr. Justin McMechan about hail on corn, soybeans, and wheat. Learn what to look for and how to go about assessing your crops after a hailstorm.

Alfalfa Weevils have started to emerge in southeastern Nebraska. Check out this week’s episode as we talk with Field Crops Entomology Research and Extension Professor Dr. Bob Wright about how to scout for these forage robbers and the best management options for your fields.

In this episode we talk with Dr. Amit Jhala, Extension Weed Management Specialist. He gives an update on Enlist One and Enlist Due herbicides products and there use here in Nebraska.

In this episode we talk with Water and Integrated Cropping Systems Extension Educator Nathan Mueller on soil nutrients for winter wheat in eastern Nebraska given the dry and open winter we have had.