Crops

Wetter than usual spring conditions the past few years have been favorable for crop diseases. Nebraska Extension Plant Pathologist Tamra Jackson-Ziems talks about common corn diseases and what producers can do to avoid them for the upcoming growing season.

Getting the right amount of nitrogen to the exact place in the field that needs it can be a challenge. Joe Luck Nebraska Extension Precision Agriculture Specialist says sensor-based fertigation technology can improve efficiency and profitability.

White mold significantly impacted yields in 2024, and proactive management is crucial for this growing season. Nebraska Extension Plant Pathologist Dylan Mangel talks about soybean recommendations and ways to avoid white mold and other diseases.

As of 2025 dicamba herbicides are no longer approved in the state of Nebraska as an over-the-top restricted use pesticide. Nebraska Department of Agriculture Pesticide Program Manager Libby Walsh talks about weed control options for farmers this upcoming season.

Join UNL at the Haskell Ag Lab as Nebraska Extension hosts the 2025 Northeast Nebraska Crops Update on February 3rd. Nebraska Extension Program Associate Agnes Kurtzhals says the event is free to attend and will cover corn and soybean outlooks, pest and disease management, along with several other topics.

Defoliation is the most common type of insect injury observed by Nebraska soybean producers and can occur from emergence to harvest. Nebraska Extension Entomologist Wayne Ohnesorg says properly assessing leaf damage and applying pesticides at economic decision levels can boost your yields next growing season.

The 2024 growing seasons showed a lack of damage from western bean cutworm. Nebraska Extension Entomologist Julie Peterson says the use of economic thresholds and pest control options played a big role in keeping western bean cutworm numbers down.

The Fort Laramie irrigation tunnels continue to supply farmers in western Nebraska with critical water for crops, but permanent structures need to be constructed to make them fully functional. Nebraska Extension Educator Gary Stone gives us an update on when the tunnels will be completed.

Crop producers have to make several critical decisions before planting time. Nebraska Extension Educator Aaron Nygren discusses key issues from last season that will help producers come up with a successful plan for next season.

NASA has kick started an effort with Nebraska Extension to help the Midwest address climate-related concerns such as drought, extreme wind events and floods. Robert Swap, NASA Associate Mission Planning Director for Earth Sciences says this program will take an in-depth look at the relation between the earth’s surface and lower levels of the atmosphere for a better understanding of plant growth in relationship to the climate.