Fusarium head blight or scab was first reported in 1898 or 122 years ago in Nebraska. Though not a severe disease each year, it was a problem in 2019. Will it be a problem in 2020 for wheat growers in southeast Nebraska? Plan ahead, pun intended. It is one disease that wheat growers should have […] Continue reading → 
The highest chances for hail on any given day in the U.S. are in late spring and early summer in the Great Plains. The higher elevation of the Great Plains allows the freezing level in the atmosphere to be closer to the ground, which helps hailstones grow larger than in other parts of the country. […] 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 → 
Personal protective equipment, also called PPE, may be in short supply during the 2020 growing season. The most common personal protective equipment needed for mixing, loading, and applying pesticides safely include chemical resistant boots, aprons, goggles, gloves and respirators in addition to proper clothing (pants, long-sleeves, etc.). Now all of these are not in short […] Continue reading → 
Last week I wrote about freeze damage to alfalfa and there is now an expanded version on our statewide agronomy website at https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2020/freeze-damage-alfalfa. I have received numerous questions and concerns about winter wheat too. Our western Nebraska Cropping Systems Extension Specialist, Cody Creech, has already written an article about freeze injury to wheat with references […] Continue reading → 
With warm weather the first week of April and the current cold spell, questions about freeze damage to alfalfa will be on the rise. Friend, Plymouth, and Beatrice reached 86, 87, and 89 degrees respectively on April 7. In Lincoln, a record high was set for the day of April 7 (87 degrees) and a […] Continue reading → 
You could really notice the spring growth of winter annual weeds in some fields this past week. A winter annual weed is an unwanted plant in your field that germinated last fall, overwintered, resumed growth this spring, and will some begin flowering and producing seed this spring. There are numerous species of winter annuals weeds […] Continue reading →