It is that time of year when Japanese beetles, grasshoppers, or various caterpillars start to consume the soybean leaf canopy. It is very easy to overestimate the amount of defoliation that has occurred and many do not like scouting several locations within a field. We should tolerate some low level of defoliation simply because there […] Continue reading → 
Many factors affect corn growth and development, especially early in the growing season. A common question this time of year after corn is planted and some fields have emerged whiles other have not is “How many Growing Degree Days (GDD) does it take for my corn to emerge?” Since corn emergence is directly related to […] Continue reading → 
Planting season can be busy and stressful, so please don’t forget to be safe when handling treated seed and check the seed tag or talk to your seed dealer for specific handling and use directions. Treated seed is another route of exposure for farmers and other handlers, whether this exposure is to fungicide, insecticide, or […] Continue reading → 
Soybean cyst nematodes (SCN) are a plant-parasitic roundworm that attack soybeans and found in Saline, Jefferson, and Gage counties. The pest is not new or unfamiliar to area farmers and agronomists. However, sometimes we get to comfortable with old issues. As a reminder, SCN is the #1 yield-grabbing pest in U.S. soybean production. Soybean cyst […] Continue reading → 
As spring is nearly here, I wanted to remind farmers and agronomists about resources available from your local Extension offices in Wilber, Fairbury, and Beatrice. Our local extension offices are open to the public for walk-ins. As a reminder, the Extension offices are located in Wilber at 306 W 3rd St, in Fairbury at 517 […] Continue reading → 
Chemigation is the process of applying chemicals to land/crops with water from an irrigation system. Chemical is broadly defined as any fertilizer, herbicide, fungicide, or pesticides mixed with the irrigation water during application. In southeast Nebraska, the most common chemigation process is applying liquid nitrogen fertilizer through a center pivot. Applying nitrogen fertilizer through pivots […] Continue reading → 
I want to take a moment to share with you some of my 2020 local accomplishments through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s (UNL) Water and Integrated Cropping Systems Extension Program. From a larger perspective, UNL may not always be front and center, but shines through the many of the farmers, agronomists, seed dealers, Ag retailers and […] Continue reading →