Crops

Farmland leases typically renew on March 1 and right now land values and cash rents are on the top of many farmers minds. Nebraska Extension Ag Economist Jim Janssen stresses the importance of having written agreements in place that benefit the landowner as well as the renter. 

The 2025 Nebraska corn season experienced significant disease pressure, featuring record levels of southern rust, rapidly expanding tar spot, and widespread stalk and crown rots. Nebraska Extension Plant Pathologist Tamra Jackson-Ziems talks about 2026 disease pressures and urges producers to plan seed genetics and management practices accordingly. 

Soybean gall midge, Dectes stem borer, and several plant diseases continue to be some of the most important threats to soybean production in Nebraska. Extension Crop Protection and Cropping Systems Specialist Justin McMechan talks about ways producers can use research information from last year to make more informed decisions about next year’s crop.

Nebraska Extension has recently published a new study on the effects of insect and disease pests on soybeans from the last growing season. Nebraska Extension Crop Protection and Cropping Systems Specialist Justin McMechan talks about some of the highlights from this year’s report.

The Nebraska Corn Board research dollars are continually seeking new opportunities for corn farmers. Rachael Whitehair Director of Innovation and Stewardship at the Corn Board talks about the studies being done and how producers can use that information to stay profitable.

This February and March, Nebraska Extension is hosting seven hands-on workshops across the state to help producers get the most value out of manure while protecting water and soil resources. Nebraska Extension Animal Manure Management Extension Educator Leslie Johnson talks about this year’s certification training workshop and who needs to attend. 

USDA’s Supplemental Disaster Relief program helps farmers who may have suffered from production losses in previous growing seasons. USDA Farm Service Agency State Executive Director Hilary Maricle discusses the different stages of the program and says producers have until April to fill out the paperwork for claims. 

This growing season was one for the record books as southern rust invaded corn across the state for a second year in a row. Nebraska Extension Plant Pathologist Tamra Jackson-Ziems says southern rust was prevalent this year and has heard a few rumors that aren’t necessarily true. She talks about how the pathogen is spread and clears up any rumors before producers start making decisions that could affect next year’s crop.

Irrigation season has ended and it’s time to evaluate your center pivot system to make sure it is ready for winter and for another growing season. Nebraska Extension Irrigated Cropping Systems Educator Steve Melvin talks about several key steps to keep in mind when shutting down your pivot for the winter.

Fatigue, stress, heavy equipment and unpredictable conditions all contribute to the risks faced by farmers and rural residents alike during harvest season. Nebraska Extension Educator Amy Timmerman offers a few commonsense tips to get the crop in while being safe.

Our state has some of the best soil on the planet. On today’s program, UNL Agronomy Professor Caro Cordova says testing your soil is the first step in the conservation and protection of our soils, and to do so on a regular basis.

It should come as no surprise that the Cornhusker state's most economically important crop is corn, but many producers have felt the pressure of increased corn diseases. Nebraska Extension Plant Pathologist Tamra Jackson-Ziems talks about some strategies to help farmers maximize their yield even though they’ve had some significant disease problems this year. 

Correctly timing the last few irrigations of the season offers an excellent opportunity for many producers to save water and money. Bruno Lena, Nebraska Extension Water and Cropping System Assistant Educator says the main objective is to use stored soil water without affecting crop yields, while also creating room to store offseason precipitation.

Making silage from late season hail damaged corn could be a great option for many producers. Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist Mary Drewnoski talks about the advantages and risks of feeding hail damaged corn silage and earlage. 

Late season soybean diseases often appear this time of year as yellow or dead leaves throughout the field. Nebraska Extension Plant Pathologist Dylan Mangel talks about common fall soybean diseases and what producers should be on the lookout for.