What’s up this WHEAT? Weekly highlights and resources for producing winter wheat in eastern Nebraska.
Weather
- Midwest Climate Hub: Midwest Ag-Focus Climate Outlook, May 1
- Abnormally dry rating from the US Drought Monitor moves into Nuckolls and Thayer counties.
- NWS Climate Prediction Center: Dry pattern predicted to continue in the 6-10 day and the 8-14 day outlook
Highlight(s) in the News
- Nebraska Wheat Board Crop Report: April 29 – Southeast – Producers in the southeast region of Nebraska reported…
- 2020 Hard Winter Wheat Tour cancelled that normally covers Kansas and south central Nebraska, but plans being made for virtual tour
- Interesting article by Futurity: To boost crop yield, plant in a pattern
Economics
- Local Cash Bids on May 4, 2020
- ADM Lincoln 4.83 (May futures 4.83, +0.00 basis)
- Scoular Fremont 4.93 (May futures 4.83, +0.10 basis)
- Rock Valley Mixed Hay and Bedding Sale Results, April 30: $120 per ton for 3×3 straw bales
- Latest USDA-ERS Wheat Outlook – April 13, 2020, next release will be on May 14.
Agronomics
- Review of Wheat Growth Stages:
- From north to south in eastern Nebraska plus variation in planting dates, growth stage likely range from Feekes 5 to Feekes 7.
- K-State Agronomy eUpdate:
- New wheat variety released from UNL Wheat Breeding Program with great performance in eastern Nebraska: NuPride Siege and 3-year trial performance
Tips
- Check growth stage before spraying 2,4-D. Not recommended at/after Feekes 6 (jointing) due to crop safety. Alternative/safer choices available, contact me for more info.
- All in-person Nebraska Extension events cancelled through June 15 due to COVID-19. As a result, Extension winter wheat variety tours cancelled at Jefferson and Saunders County. Digital tour and self-guided tour are being planned. More information will be coming.
- Send me pictures of your wheat and keep sending me pictures this growing season! Email to
Please feel free to email me and other wheat farmers in eastern Nebraska that are a part of this email group with comments or questions!
You can view previous weekly emails at croptechcafe.org/winterwheat/
This email is part of the Winter Wheat Works Initiative, a local University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension effort to encourage and support growers in eastern Nebraska to move from a strict corn-soybean rotation to a successful flex-rotation where some winter wheat acres are considered each year and strategically integrated into their cropping system.
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