Many defoliating insects may be found in Nebraska soybeans. Estimating defoliation levels in fields is the best way to decide whether it will pay to treat for these insects. We saw several different insects in parts of Nebraska causing defoliation in soybeans in 2019. These included: woolly bear caterpillars green cloverworms grassshoppers bean leaf beetles […]
Last week, New York Times writer John Schwartz reported that, “Brace for another flooded spring — but not one as bad as last year, forecasters from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warned on Thursday. “‘Flooding continues to be a factor for many Americans this spring,’ with major to moderate flooding likely to occur in 23 states, said Mary C. Erickson, […]
The planting season begins another year under considerable uncertainty. While trade issues remain, the continued spread of the coronavirus and the ensuing market collapse complicates an already difficult decision. Projections from many market observers indicate increases in corn and soybean acreage in 2020. The March 31 Prospective Plantings report provides the initial indication of potential […]
Fusarium head blight (FHB) is an economically important disease affecting small grain production worldwide. The disease is predominantly caused by the fungus Fusarium graminearum in the United States, where infections can decrease yields and impact quality through reducing test weights and contaminating grain with mycotoxins including deoxyniveanol (DON-vomitoxin). Fusarium graminearum has a wide host range, […]
Trade conflicts, prevented and late planting, and policy innovations have presented a difficult decision-making environment to farmers over the past several years. The decisions for this spring are now drastically complicated given the rapidly changing situation with the spread of COVID-19 and its attendant health threats and control measures. Currently, a paramount concern is continuing […]
Between planting in the fall and Feekes 4 growth stage (beginning of erect growth) in the spring, winter wheat is vulnerable to environmental stress such as saturated soils and freeze-thaw cycles that cause soil heaving. All of which may lead to substantial stand reduction, and consequently, low grain yield. However, a stand that looks thin […]
As attention shifts to the 2020 planting season, questions about U.S. acreage – and the potential for the more than 95 million acres of corn- will come into focus. On the one hand, 95 million would be a substantial increase over the 90 million acres planted in recent years. On the other hand, 95 million […]
Red clover can be an excellent green manure that fixes nitrogen, suppresses weeds, and increases corn yields. As a slow-growing cool-season legume, it is suitable to undersowing into winter small grains in early spring. It continues to grow after small grain harvest and can be terminated in the fall or following spring before corn planting […]
Corn rootworm remains the greatest insect pest threat to corn in Illinois, despite low populations in recent years compared with historical averages. Resistance to Bt traits and crop rotation throughout much of Illinois complicates the management decisions faced by corn growers. Corn rootworms overwinter as eggs in the soil that generally hatch in late May […]
It’s been another tough year for wheat so far. A lot of planned wheat acres did not get planted last fall due to the wet fall and slow harvest over much of the state. Much of the wheat that did go in was planted late. For late-planted wheat, formation of fall tillers will be less […]