Due to the dry weather, early season fungal diseases were low or not even present, i.e., no reports of stripe and leaf rust (view reports/map and take the survey yourself at https://cropwatch.unl.edu/plantdisease/wheat). I did not recommend a fungicide application prior to flowering this season, save the application and product cost. However, dependent on the near-term […] Continue reading → 
When weather and workload does not permit the application of preemergence herbicides prior to planting, there are options. Some preemergence herbicides are labeled for broadcast application after corn and soybean emergence without injury. Additionally, early post-crop emergence herbicide applications including these herbicides are beneficial for controlling weed species with extended emergence (e.g., waterhemp and Palmer […] Continue reading → 
A private pesticide applicator is a person who uses or supervises the use of restricted use pesticides in the production of agricultural commodities on land owned or rented by them or their employer. Applicators are not eligible to purchase or apply restricted use pesticides until both certified and licensed. I will be assisting with educator […] Continue reading → 
Late fall herbicide applications can be a good alternative to early spring for control of several introduced biennial forbs or broadleaf weeds in southeast Nebraska. A few of these biennial forbs are considered noxious weeds in Nebraska including musk thistle, plumeless thistle, and spotted knapweed while bull thistle, common mullein, and poison hemlock are just […] Continue reading → 
Soybean cyst nematodes (SCN) are a plant-parasitic roundworm that attack soybeans in Saline, Jefferson, and Gage counties. The pest is not new or unfamiliar to area farmers and agronomists. However, sometimes we get too comfortable with old issues. As a reminder, SCN is the #1 yield-robbing pest in U.S. soybean production. Soybean cyst nematodes or […] Continue reading → 
It is that time of year when Japanese beetles (Figure 1), grasshoppers, or various caterpillars consume the soybean leaf canopy. It is very easy to overestimate the amount of defoliation that has occurred. Many do not like scouting several locations within a field this time of year either but is it important. We should tolerate […] Continue reading → 
The Lower Big Blue Natural Resource District (NRD), in partnership with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) and Nebraska Extension would like to notify landowners in Turkey Creek watershed that applications for conservation work are now being accepted. Turkey Creek is one of two priority watersheds through the National […] Continue reading →