Monthly Archives: February 2024
JenREES 2/25/24
Spring Fertilizer: It’s hard to believe March begins this week! With the approaching of March 1st and the nice weather, some may be thinking about fertilizer applications. Three quick reminders:
1-Soil temperatures can be viewed at: https://cropwatch.unl.edu/soiltemperature. Soil temperatures below 50F allow for a slower conversion of ammonium to nitrate by soil microorganisms.
2-There was a high amount of mineralization that occurred last growing season due to the warm soil temperatures. Higher soil residual nitrate was common in soil samples in the area; thus, you can believe the fact that there’s a higher amount of soil residual nitrate and adjust fertilizer recommendations accordingly. If you’re unsure or if the soil samples didn’t pull well due to the dry fall conditions, soil samples can be pulled again this spring to gain confidence in recommendations.
3-Reminder of my nitrogen challenge! The higher residual nitrate provides a great opportunity in putting down a lower base rate and use a tool like sensor based fertigation via Sentinel Fertigation to apply only what the plant says it needs throughout the growing season. You could also consider an on-farm research study using a few different rates. Please let me know if you’re interested in these options.
Pruning Tips: With the coming of March also comes questions regarding pruning. My horticultural colleague, Elizabeth Killinger, shares some tips with some updated research on pruning timing for different plants. Full article: https://huskerhort.com/2024/02/25/a-pruning-primer/#more-1466.
“The first step to pruning is surveying the plant. This will ensure whether or not pruning is needed. Look for and remove any dead, diseased, damaged, rubbing, or crossing branches first. Remove suckers, little saplings at the base of the tree, and water sprouts, small vertical stems on the main branches. Also look at the plant in terms of safety. Be sure the plant is not blocking vehicle sight lines or covering sidewalks. Remove any low hanging branches that are hanging over a sidewalk.
Pruning Tools: In order to make cuts that heal correctly on plants, the proper tools are needed. When pruning small branches, those that are 1” in diameter or smaller, hand pruners are recommended. If you have to twist the pruners or take multiple ‘bites’ at the branch, a different tool is needed. For branches that have a diameter greater than 1”, loppers are recommended. Pruning saws are extremely sharp and work well to get into the tight places that the pruners and loppers don’t fit. They can also cut branches that are larger than 1.5” in diameter. The last tool of the trade is the hedge shears. They are used for shearing hedges or shaping plants and shouldn’t be used as substitutes for other pruning equipment.
Deciduous shade trees, It was previously recommended the best time to prune most shade trees was during winter dormancy. New research shows the optimum time to prune living branches is late spring and early summer because pruning at this time promotes the quickest sealing of pruning wounds, known as CODIT or Compartmentalization of Decay in Trees. Late spring and early summer is when tree cells are most active during the growing season, hence sealing occurs the quickest.
Evergreen Trees keep their leaves throughout the winter. Pine trees rarely need to be pruned, if you choose to do so it is best done June into July, or when the new growth is between half and fully grown. If pine trees are pruned too early, the tree could be deformed and pruning too late could cause the tree to be stunted. Be sure to prune only the current years’ growth. If the trees are pruned too far back onto older growth, new growth will be delayed a year. Spruce and fir are two evergreen trees that rarely need pruning. If pruning is needed, they can be pruned between November and April.
Evergreen Shrubs, like arborvitae, Japanese yew, and juniper, are best pruned in late winter between November and April. The cuts will heal quickly and will be covered by new growth.
Deciduous Shrub pruning depends on blooming time. If the shrub blooms in the spring, before June 15th, wait to prune until after it flowers. Lilac, forsythia, and dogwoods are considered spring bloomers. If the shrub is a summer bloomer, like a potentilla, flowering quince, or privet, then late winter to early spring is the best time to prune.”
JenREES 2/18/24
This week sharing on some additional February meetings. Our last Friday February conversation occurs this Friday Feb. 23 on the topic of pesticide resistance and integrated pest management. Dr. Matheus Ribeiro and Dr. Travis (TJ) Prochaska are going to lead us in discussion sharing insights from research and experience. If you’re dealing with pest (weed/insect/disease) issues in a particular field and interested in the topic of resistance management, this conversation will be of interest and helpful. It will be from 10-noon at the 4-H Bldg in York. Please let me know if you’re interested in attending (402-362-5508).
On-Farm Research Updates begin this week depending on which location works best for you. At these meetings, the farmers share on the research they conducted with Extension. That along with the discussion is what makes this meeting so meaningful and one of my favorite winter meetings. Topics include: nutrient management studies, biological products, cultural practices, cover crops, product and production practice studies, RegenAg, and include studies using the latest precision ag technologies. The meetings at all locations begin at 9 a.m. (Registration at 8:30 a.m.). Locations include: ENREEC near Mead (Feb. 20); Beatrice Holiday Inn (Feb. 21); York at Holthus Convention Center (Feb. 27); and Kearney at the Extension Office (Feb. 28). There is no charge, but please RSVP for our meal count and to ensure enough materials at: https://go.unl.edu/2024ofr.
The 2024 Nebraska Extension Soil Health Conferences are being held at two locations this year: West Point at the Nielsen Community Center on Feb. 29 and the Fairgrounds in Hastings on March 5th. Speakers differ for the two conferences but the themes of leading researchers sharing, farmers and industry panel discussions, networking opportunities, and exhibitor area will be at both locations. At the Hastings location, I’ll be sharing our on-farm research efforts with using clover in corn/soybeans with two farmers: Mike Spray of Clay Center and Jay Goertzen of Henderson. The conferences begin at 9 a.m. (Registration at 8:30 a.m.) and CCA credits are available. There is no charge but RSVP is needed for lunch. You can find more details on the speakers and can register at: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/enreec/nebraska-soil-health-conference/.
Regenerative Ag Conference will be held Feb. 28th at Concordia University in Seward at the Janzow Campus Center Cattle Conference Room (Building #21 on Campus Map). The program begins at 9 a.m. (Registration at 8:30 a.m.). This event for producers and crop consultants will be an opportunity to learn about regenerative ag practices, what funding is available for these practices, and how to utilize them to be more profitable and sustainable. It will feature speaker Mitchell Hora, farmer and CEO of Continuum Ag, Keith Berns of Green Cover Seed, and a farmer panel: Dennis Fitzke (Edgar), Aaron Studebaker (Davey), and James ‘Hank’ McGowan (McCool Junction). The day will also include a screening of the film To Which We Belong. It’s hosted by the Upper Big Blue, Little Blue, Lower Big Blue, and Lower Platte South NRDs, in collaboration with Green Cover Seed. There is no charge but RSVP is needed as space is limited: https://www.upperbigblue.org/regenerative-ag.
Returning to the Farm is a workshop series for families who are in the transition process of bringing members back to the farm or ranch. It’s one of the more important programs Extension offers and I can say it was helpful for me and my family to attend. It will begin with a two-day workshop in Kearney for multi-generational families on March 8 and 9 at the office of Nebraska Extension in Buffalo County, 1400 E 34th St. The series assists families and agricultural operations with developing financial plans and successful working arrangements to meet their unique needs. It will guide families in developing estate and transition plans, setting personal and professional goals, and improving the communication process between family members. The workshop fee is $75 per person on or before March 1. March 2, the fee increases to $85 per person. Registration includes dinner on March 8 and lunch on March 9; it also includes two follow-up virtual workshops. More info. and registration at: https://cap.unl.edu/rtf24.
2024 Farm Bill Decisions
Perhaps this year’s farm bill election decision takes more thought than in the past. Part of this is because the reference price for PLC (Price Loss Coverage) and ARC-CO (Agriculture Risk Coverage) finally increased (due to a couple of higher marketing year average prices with only the highest year being thrown out for the Olympic average). Thus, the trigger potential increases. Most of the decisions could really go either way depending on what happens and how you wish to manage risk. ARC-CO will often trigger faster with a higher price and lower yields, but the maximum payment caps out faster. PLC, when triggered, provides greater payments faster. There’s also the potential of using Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) via crop insurance with PLC, which was very attractive for some producers in non-irrigated situations hit by drought last year. It could be worth your time to read this article from K-State on SCO and ECO (Enhanced Coverage Option): https://agmanager.info/crop-insurance/crop-insurance-papers-and-information/supplemental-coverage-option-sco-and-enhanced if you’re not familiar with these options. Sign up deadline with FSA for farm bill decisions and with Crop insurance for those decisions are both March 15.
PLC effective reference prices for 2024 are:
Corn: $4.01; Beans: $9.26; Wheat: $5.50 (stayed the same); Grain Sorghum: $4.06
ARC-CO effective references prices for 2024 are:
Corn: $4.17; Beans: $9.56; Wheat: $5.34; Grain Sorghum: $4.31
Projected Prices for 2024 based on projections from FAPRI as of August 2023:
Corn: $4.47; Beans: $10.94; Wheat: $6.38; Grain Sorghum: $4.31
So, at first glance, comparing the prices for each commodity, ARC-CO triggers first for all crops except for wheat when county average yields are maintained. In fact, for those with milo base acres, ARC-CO would already trigger with current projected price and the ARC-CO effective reference price of $4.31.
If you want to protect yield variation, ARC provides protection sooner than PLC. If you want protection for lower prices, PLC provides larger payments once it triggers.
It also depends on crop insurance. For example, if you choose 75% revenue protection and want to add SCO on top up to 86%, then you need to take PLC as SCO is not available with ARC.
Another thought that I’ve often brought up, although it’s not feasible for everyone, is to consider splitting your risk. Corn, to me, is the harder decision here that could go either way. If you have a field or two with higher PLC proven yields, then perhaps consider a few farms in PLC and a few others in ARC-CO to split your risk and provide some protection to you whether either program triggers. It also helps split risk regarding payment caps should they be hit. Some helpful resources are included below:
K-State Ag Manager Excel Spreadsheet Tool (download and run for your specific county/crop info.): https://agmanager.info/ag-policy/2018-farm-bill/tradeoff-between-20242025-arc-and-plc
Understanding PLC, ARC, SCO, ECO for 2024 (videos and ppt presentations): https://agmanager.info/news/recent-videos/managing-risk-arc-plc-and-sco-webinar-slides-and-recording
2023 ARC-Co Payments Nationally (shows 2023 payments): https://agmanager.info/ag-policy/2023-county-yields-trigger-arc-co-payments/2023-county-yields-trigger-arc-co-payments-0
Upcoming Events: Friday (16th) conversation on economics of RegenAg from 10-noon at 4-H Bldg in York. RegenAg Conf. Feb. 28th at Concordia College in Seward (RSVP to 402-362-6601). On-Farm Research Update in York at Holthus Convention Center Feb. 27th (RSVP: https://go.unl.edu/bhdw). Also, York County Corn Growers is having our tour on Feb. 21st (RSVP to 402-362-5508 if interested).
Rethinking Crop Rotations
Thank you to all who attended the nitrogen challenge meeting last Monday, to all the presenters and farmers who shared their experiences, and to those who are choosing to join me in the challenge! A lot of great information was presented that day. The following is a snapshot of the combined on-farm research data using sensor-based fertigation via Sentinel Fertigation across 13 locations:
- Grower: 255 bu/ac yield with 195 lb N/ac applied, NUE of 0.77 lb N/bu, $1152.54 profit
- Sentinel: 253 bu/ac yield with 138 lb N/ac applied, NUE of 0.56 lb N/bu, $1177.89 profit
Crop Rotations: Appreciate those who attend the Fridays in February Conversations! We had a rich discussion on the topic of crop rotations and I appreciate the ideas brought forward by growers. We unfortunately didn’t have industry representation. I’ve heard frustration from some farmers raising seed corn with palmer, tracking up fields, low soybean yields and soybean disease issues. A handful of farmers have told me they recently gave up seed corn because of these challenges. Both seed corn and soybeans are important crops to our area of the state, so my hope was to discuss potential solutions. Small grains are also mentioned often below to help with pests, which can take looking at economics over years.
- Requiring extra communication and planning for isolation is to consider a 3-year rotation of seed corn/corn/soybean to allow for more carbon in the system and a longer rotation from soybean.
- I suggest a small grain before and/or after soy to help with erosion control, palmer control, and reduction in soil-borne pathogens impacting soybeans. Research from K-State showed significant reduction in palmer biomass when using either oats or wheat without the use of a residual herbicide (and with residual too). Rye wasn’t in that study; it helps significantly too.
- Red light on bare soil stimulates palmer/waterhemp germination. Keeping the soil covered with residue, cover crops and/or residual herbicide helps. Planting soybean green to allow for more cover crop biomass before termination is helpful (have to consider soil moisture).
- Oats is the best way to reduce soybean cyst nematode and sudden death syndrome in soybean. All small grains help but oats is proven to be the best for reducing those soil-borne pathogens. Planting either spring or fall helps and is an option for those who don’t want an overwintering small grain.
- Cover crop hosts for Sclerotinia sclerotiorum that causes white mold in soybeans include brassicas (turnips/radishes/collards). So, if the field has a history of white mold, consider adding a small grain (oats/rye/wheat) in combination with brassicas or only using small grains. This adds cost/more loads to spread, but a small grain in seed corn fields are critical to help with pests/erosion in my opinion.
- It was suggested to allow cover crops including small grains to be broadcast seeded at detasseling instead of at male destruct to allow more time for establishment and growth once canopy is opened at male destruct. The thought is the small grains can help hold the soil better when it’s wet with equipment. Small grains also help hold the soil from erosion after grazing as not much is left after grazing turnips/radishes. Some are choosing to drill a small grain after harvest.
- Some growers are allowed to plant seed corn green while others aren’t. Growers doing this are plugging drill units where seed is going to be planted. Whether growers terminated early or not, they all shared the small grain roots before seed corn held the soil during winds and held equipment better in wet fields.
- Group of growers in Archer/Central City area are relay cropping wheat/beans in year after seed corn. Something to consider for making small grains work better economically. Several growers doing this allowed for market to develop for taking small grains in that area.
- Much discussion on relay cropping beans using hybrid rye, grain sorghum, rye, wheat for economics. Also discussed the need for bankers to allow a 2-3 year balance sheet to show economics of small grain outside of one year. Will share thoughts mentioned on economics in another column.
If interested, our next topic on February 9th (10-noon at the 4-H Bldg in York) is Strategies for integrating livestock on crop ground both in the off-season and during the growing season.
JenResources 