Following some issues with aphids and alfalfa weevil prior to first cutting, we now are moving on to a second major insect pest in alfalfa prior to second cutting and beyond, the potato leafhopper. Last year on June 15, we found potato leafhoppers using a sweep net during a site visit in Gage County on […] Continue reading → 
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) winter wheat variety tour for the eastern most portion of south-central Nebraska is scheduled for Thursday, June 9, 2022 north of Fairbury. The tour provides an opportunity for farmers and others to learn more about new winter wheat varieties and other topics relevant to wheat production. There are 35 released […] Continue reading → 
Fusarium head blight (FHB), also called head scab, is a fungal disease that infects wheat during flowering, which typically occurs between mid-May to early June in this area. This year, early maturity varieties and earlier planted winter wheat fields started heading on May 15 and likely will be flowering by May 21. Over the past […] Continue reading → 
Many factors affect early corn growth and development. A common question is “how many Growing Degree Days (GDD) does it take for my corn to emerge?” Since corn emergence is directly related to soil temperature and soil moisture, the days to emergence vary especially when one compares early planting dates to later planting dates. It […] Continue reading → 
Alfalfa is the third-most grown crop in Saline, Jefferson, and Gage counties with approximately 16,500 acres. Given the current drought and hay price, I expect demand for alfalfa to remain strong. Protecting your fields from insect damage will be important. Last year, I received my first call on April 30 about alfalfa weevil and the […] Continue reading → 
The spring growth of winter annual weeds is underway. A winter annual weed is an unwanted plant in your field that germinated last fall, overwintered, resumed growth this spring, and will soon begin flowering and producing seed. There are numerous species of winter annuals weeds common in southeast Nebraska including henbit (figure 1), marestail, field […] 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 →