Author Archives: JenBrhel
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.
JenREES 1/28/24
It’s incredible how quickly January flew by! The following are programs occurring next week. Reminder of the Friday February Conversations (10-Noon 4-H Bldg. York). The February 2nd conversation is around crop rotations, specifically diving into pest management issues with soybeans and seed corn and discussing ideas to help. It’s going to take farmers and ag industry working together on these discussions, so please invite/encourage those who have input/ideas to attend!
Nebraska Corn Production Clinic Feb. 5 at the Commercial Building, Fairgrounds in Aurora, starting at 9 a.m. with breakfast and time to visit with the vendors at the display booths. Presentations will start at 9:30 a.m. with Corn Growers and USDA updates, and conclude about 3:45 p.m. with door prizes. The event has a great lineup of excellent speakers focusing on all things corn, plus several ag display booths.
Topics include: Corn Planter Setup and Adjustments; Advanced Agronomy Cultural Practices; Management of Insect Damage in Corn; Management of Plant Diseases in Corn Including Tar Spot; IPM for Successful Weed Management in Corn; Year-round Soil Water Management; Year-round Soil Nitrogen Management and Nitrogen Sources and Stabilizers for Corn; and Setting Up and Operating Fertilizer Application Equipment. CCA credits are available.
The ag day event is consistently ranked by the farmers who attend as one of the best educational ag events. The day is free of charge to the participants thanks to sponsors and exhibitors. The noon meal sponsor is Grosshans in Aurora. More information is available https://merrick.unl.edu or by calling Steve Melvin at (308) 946-3843.
Farm Bill (ARC/PLC) program workshop for ag producers will be in York on Feb. 6 from 9 a.m.-Noon at the Cornerstone Ag & Event Center at the Fairgrounds in York. Nebraska USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is reminding producers now is the time to make elections and enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2024 crop year. The signup period is open through March 15, 2024, and producers are encouraged to begin working with their USDA county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to complete the process. Although election changes for 2024 are optional, enrollment (signed contract) is required for each year of the program. If a producer has a multi-year contract on the farm, it will be necessary to sign a new contract for the farm by the March 15th deadline if a 2024 election change is desired. If an election is not submitted by the deadline of March 15, 2024, the election defaults to the current election for crops on the farm from the prior crop year.
Producers can learn about the ARC and PLC options for 2024 during a series of workshops hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability (CAP) and Nebraska FSA that will be held across the state in February. Area workshops include:
- Feb. 6, 9 a.m.-Noon, Fairgrounds in York
- Feb. 7, 1-4 p.m., Community Building in Columbus
- Feb. 9, 9 a.m.-Noon, ENREEC near Mead
- Feb. 9, 1-4 p.m., Extension Office in Beatrice
- Feb. 14, 1-4 p.m., Extension Office in Hastings
The meetings have no charge and are open to the public. More information and a full schedule are available on the Center for Agricultural Profitability’s website, https://cap.unl.edu/farmbill.
Feb. 6-7 Nebraska Soils School: There’s also an incredible opportunity for learning and CCA credits through this soils school in partnership with the Nebraska AgriBusiness Association. More details here: https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2023-CW-News/2024-Soils-School-Agenda.pdf.
Feb. 7 Part 107 course training to help you pass the test for flying drones will be held at ENREEC near Mead. More info: 402-460-0742.
Fridays in February 2024
Fridays in February Conversations-Focus on Management: As an Extension educator, I prefer discussion, interaction, and co-learning vs. lecturing. This program started a couple years ago as an opportunity for producers and ag industry to gather and have informal, practical conversations, and share experiences/solutions around topics ag is facing. As I thought about last year and conversations people shared, the following topics surfaced. Each conversation is on Fridays in February from 10 a.m.-Noon at the 4-H Building in York. Please join us for coffee, cookies, and conversation around any/all these topics if you’re interested! Please RSVP to me or 402-362-5508.
Feb. 2: Rethinking Crop Rotations: balancing economics and pest management. A number of producers are frustrated with soybean yields, the problems with raising soybeans, and a handful have given up seed corn with others considering this. Both are important crops to this area so we’ll discuss crop rotation/management options to do things differently.
Feb. 9: Strategies for integrating livestock on crop ground. There’s many benefits of having livestock on crop ground. We’ll discuss some myths, barriers, economics, and what could be practical in incorporating livestock both in the off-season and periodically during the growing season.
Feb. 16: Regen Ag-can we make the economics work? There’s quite a bit of interest in Regen Ag and trying things differently. This is good yet the economics still need to work. As I’ve worked with producers in this space, I feel we need to have a discussion on how individuals look at economics and what we need better numbers around for landlords, bankers, and other producers.
Feb. 23: Understanding pest resistance and a system’s approach to management. Pest resistance is a topic we are currently and will continue to face in the future. We’ll discuss types of resistance, mitigation measures for them, and approaches to management to maintain tools longer.
Eastern NE Corn and Soybean Expo will be held on Jan. 25th at the Eastern NE R&E Center near Mead with viewing of vendor booths at 8:30 a.m. and program beginning at 9:10 a.m. This event combined the former Fremont Corn Expo and the Soybean Days in Wahoo. Mike Zuzolo, president of Global Commodity Analytics and Consulting LLC, is the keynote speaker. He will speak on “Navigating 2024 Commodity Markets — Funds vs. Fundamentals”. His presentation will include: Assessing 2024 Prices For Grains and Cattle — Look at Top 3-5 Drivers; Factors To Focus Upon — U.S. and Global S/D Fundamentals (Micro-Conditions) vs. Funds and Investment Flow Drivers (Macro-Conditions); Project 2024 “Overvalue” and “Undervalue” Levels For Corn/Soybeans/Cattle Through March 31. Many additional topics are included. More info. at: https://go.unl.edu/jmh7.
Chemigation Training In York Jan. 26: For anyone interested in applying chemicals (fertilizer or pesticides via irrigation systems, a chemigation certification is required. Steve Melvin is doing this training Jan. 26th at 1 p.m. at the 4-H Building in York if you need initial or recertification training. RSVP to 402-362-5508.
Nitrogen Challenge Meeting Jan. 29th: Reminder of my nitrogen challenge meeting at the Holthus Convention Center in York from 9 a.m.-Noon on January 29th. This training does qualify for nitrogen certification training requirements from the NRD. You can walk in that day but RSVP is helpful for planning purposes to me or 402-362-5508.
Cattle and Cold Resources
Well that was quite a week to remember! Grateful for and maintained thoughts and prayers for all those clearing roads, in law enforcement, firefighters, emergency management, first responders, and livestock producers. Thank you for all you do!
Crop Production Clinics: Quick reminder of Crop Production Clinics this week in Hastings (Jan. 17) and York (Jan. 19). RSVP at https://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc is very helpful as we’re trying to make food and room arrangement decisions. Also, RSVP has been extremely helpful to me this winter already as it’s allowed me to contact attendees and let them know of program info. with all the weather we’ve had this winter. So, please do RSVP to the local Extension Office for the programs you wish to attend. Thanks!
Farm Bill Meeting will be held February 6th at the Cornerstone Event Center at the Fairgrounds in York from 9 a.m.-Noon. Dr. Brad Lubben with UNL and representatives from the Farm Service Agency will be presenting. RSVP to 402-362-5508 if interested in attending.
Livestock and Cold Resources can be found here: https://beef.unl.edu/cow-management-and-cold-weather. The following is a Q/A from the resources written by Dr. Rick Rasby, UNL Beef Extension Specialist.
“Q. How do a cow’s energy requirements change with cold weather? How much more feed does she need?
A. Moisture, high winds, and cold temperatures all increase the cow’s energy requirements. Cows in an optimal body condition score (BCS 5 to 6) are better able to withstand adverse environmental conditions than thin cows. The lower critical temperature of a beef cow is the lowest temperature a cow can be exposed to before she needs to have changes metabolically to help her cope with cold stress.
Lower critical temperature for beef cows is influenced by hair coat condition (dry or wet/muddy), body condition (thin, moderate, fleshy) and hair coat description heavy/winter, winter, fall, or summer. As hair coat changes from summer to winter, BCS changes from thin to fleshy, and hair coat changes from dry to wet, lower critical temperature decreases which means cows can withstand harsher conditions without an increase in energy needs. Magnitude of coldness is equal to Lower Critical Temperature – Wind Chill Index. Energy requirement increase about 1% for each degree of cold stress. As an example, cows that have a heavy winter hair coat that is dry and are in condition score of 5 have a lower critical temperature of 19°F.
Be very careful if you plan to use grains (corn) to increase the energy density of the diet during severe condition as you may do more harm than good. Feeding more than 2-3 lb/hd/day of corn to cows on a forage based diet will decrease fiber digestion. When cows are on a forage-based diet and supplemental energy is needed, consider the use of high energy, non-starch feed stuffs such as distillers grains and soy hulls to meet cow energy requirements. It would not be advisable to change rations daily, but if is predicted that weather conditions will be severe over a period of time then ration changes may be warranted.
A webinar titled Caring for Cattle in Cold Weather highlights the effects of cold weather on cattle and management practices to help mitigate these effects.”
Jan. 15th Pesticide Trainings are on!
-9:00 a.m. Extension Office in Seward.
-2:00 p.m. *NEW LOCATION* Extension Office in Geneva. Please let others know as fairgrounds are not cleared out.
Jan. 16th Pesticide Trainings:
-9:00 a.m. in Clay Center *NEW LOCATION* Community Bldg. (219 W. Fairfield Ave.)
-2:00 p.m. in Nelson at Auditorium
Be safe and many other options for training available in the area! https://jenreesources.com/upcoming-events/
Nitrogen Challenge Meeting
Nitrogen Challenge Meeting Jan. 29: In November I issued a nitrogen challenge. The full article can be found here: https://jenreesources.com/2023/11/12/my-nitrogen-challenge/. My goal is to have an increasing number of producers use sensing technologies such as this that have been research-proven to help with nitrogen management.
Ultimately my challenge was to everyone with irrigated ground who applies fall anhydrous or spring pre-plant fertilizer:
- Leave 1 piece of ground with a base rate of 70-100 lb N/ac
- Goal is to apply the rest of N in season using a tool like Sentinel Fertigation that senses what the plant needs. I will share 2023 research results from area producers this winter. If you decide you don’t wish to try a tool like Sentinel Fertigation, you can apply the rest of N the way you’d like.
- Only asking to consider for 1 field. Are you willing to join me in this?
On January 29th, I’ll be having a Nitrogen Challenge Meeting. It will be from 9 a.m.-Noon at the Holthus Convention Center in York. As promised, on-farm research results from sensor-based fertigation will be shared in addition to learning more about Sentinel Fertigation as a tool for nitrogen management. I also wanted you to hear directly from the area farmers who have used this tool the past few years. Some of the farmers have used this technology in on-farm research fields and some just tried it on fields. In fact, a few of the top 6 National Corn Yield Contest winners who applied 180 lb N/ac or less used Sentinel Fertigation in 2023. A larger farmer panel will share what they liked, what they’d change, and their pivot setup for managing sectors (as there’s different ways of managing this for individual pivots). Information will also be shared about chemigation requirements.
There is no charge for this meeting and the UBBNRD and LBNRD are providing nitrogen certification credits for those who attend this meeting. Please RSVP to 402-362-5508 so we know how to plan if you’re interested in attending. I’m truly hoping to see many producers interested in learning more and joining me in this challenge!
Three State Beef Conference: Re-evaluating today’s management practices for future success: On Jan. 18th in Syracuse, NE from 6-9 p.m. (Registration at 5:30 p.m.), learn more about re-evaluating management of corn residue grazing, development of heifers and management of young cows to help ensure success. Location: Fair Center building, Otoe County fairgrounds, 135 Plum St, Syracuse, Nebraska
Topics include: Corn residue grazing: current recommendations and adjustments based on new data, Dr. Mary Drewnoski, beef systems specialist, University of Nebraska; Developing heifers for the future, Dr. Kiernan Brandt, professional services technician, Trans Ova Genetics; and Managing young cows for longevity and profitability, Dr. Thiago Martins, asst. professor, beef reproduction extension & research, University of Missouri.
Pre-registrations are appreciated for planning purposes. The registration fee is $30 per person which includes a meal and a copy of the conference proceedings. RSVP to: Connor Biehler, Extension Educator, 402-624-8007, cbiehler2@unl.edu.
Also: Reminders of meetings that begin this week including Cow-Calf College, some Crop Production Clinics, and pesticide trainings.
January 2024 Events
Whether your holiday was filled with family and/or friends, plans changed due to weather, or whether holidays are difficult for various reasons, I hope you were able to find something for which to rejoice over during Christmas! Normally I write a column reflecting on the past year at the year’s end, but I feel like we’ve talked about 2023 enough! Each year we will face new challenges, many outside our control. As we look towards 2024, may we be intentional to rest, rejuvenate (reminder to think about goals for this year, our ‘why’, and what would making faming more fun), reflect, and anticipate 2024 with renewed hope! Here’s wishing you blessings in 2024 and the wisdom and resilience for whatever the year may hold!
January Winter Meetings: Tis the season of winter meetings! Winter program brochures have been mailed. If you didn’t receive one, you can contact your local Extension Office or view it at: https://jenreesources.com/upcoming-events/. Please contact the Extension Office hosting the event you’re attending so we know how to plan.
Successful Farmer Series: January 4th from 9-11:30 a.m. is the last program in this series. They’ve been excellent topics and sessions so far and the previous meeting recordings in addition to the Jan. 4th RSVP can be found at: https://lancaster.unl.edu/ag/successfulfarmerseries. The Jan. 4th session is about Nitrogen Management Tools, Water Quality, and Nitrate Management. Topics/speakers: Nitrogen & Nitrate Issues (Tim Mundorf, Central Valley Ag); Best Nitrogen Management Practices to Improve Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Water Quality (Javed Iqbal, UNL); Optimizing Nitrogen Use Efficiency Using Image Based Fertigation Scheduling (Shane Forney, Sentinel Fertigation). The event is held in person at the Extension Office in Lincoln and also via webinar. Please RSVP at the link above.
Crop Production Clinics offer recertification for pesticide applicators in addition to updated crop and pest management information for anyone interested. The closest to this area include Jan. 10 near Mead, Jan. 11 in Beatrice, Hastings on Jan. 17, and York on Jan. 19. It’s back to the original format and I mention that so you’re not expecting the new format at York this year. Info: https://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc.
Farmers and Ranchers Cow-Calf College is Jan. 11 at the Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center, near Clay Center, NE. Registration at 10:15 a.m. with program from 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. This year’s focus is on strategies to enhance cow/calf health from birth to weaning. The hands-on format will allow participants to engage with specialists and peers throughout the day. Dr. Matt Hille, Assistant Professor and Diagnostic Pathologist at Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center will provide an in-depth look at common infectious diseases affecting calves. Topics include scour prevention and treatment techniques, and when it may be worthwhile to pursue diagnostics. Discussion will also include pinkeye disease background, treatment, and prevention strategies.
The afternoon will be comprised of three mini-workshops. Dr. Becky Funk, GPVEC Extension Specialist will host a hands-on palpation wet lab utilizing bovine reproductive tracts and Dr. Hille will continue the cow health discussion with potential causes of abortion and when diagnostics are needed. Dr. Brian Vander Ley, Associate Professor and Assistant Director of GPVEC will provide an overview of activities at the Center while participants enjoy a catered lunch. The program will conclude with an optional tour of US-Meat Animal Research Center (weather permitting). There is no cost; however, registration is required due to limited space. Pre-registration can be made by calling the Webster County Extension office at 402-746-3417 or online at https://go.unl.edu/cow-calfcollege2024.
Nitrogen Challenge Meeting will be held Jan. 29th from 9-Noon at the Holthus Convention Center in York. I’ll share more on this next week, but for now, please hold this on your calendars.
Reporting Survey: It’s also reporting season for Extension. If you’d kindly like to share how my Extension work impacted you in 2023, please go to slido.com and use the code 4EXT. Thanks!
Rest, Rejuvenate, Rejoice
Christmas blessings to all! Wishing safety with the weather, quality time spent with family and friends, and special memories. With all the preparations, may we find ways to slow down and enjoy the time with others so we don’t miss it. Life is so short, not guaranteed, and time is precious!
Was reflecting on how blessed I’ve been with all the relationships in my life. One colleague shared a Christmas greeting wishing me “time to rest, rejuvenate, and rejoice in the season”. I really liked those three “R’s” so for this column, digging into them more with the help of a dictionary and some reflection.
Rest – “Cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength”. I think of this past year with the work put in by many. The difficulty and challenges, the joy when some rain came – how many of us actually stood out in it a little while 😊, the incredible amount of learning, the character built in the midst of adversity. Even since harvest, I’ve heard from many how it’s been such a strange few months of going hard with the weather so nice. Many in various occupations have mentioned it doesn’t seem like the Christmas season with how nice the weather has been. There’s also much that people do to prepare for the end of the year and the Christmas season.
We all need rest; it may look different for each of us, but we all need times to relax and recover physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. So my hope is that we all may be intentional about finding rest in some way this Christmas through New Year season, and throughout the coming year!
Rejuvenate – “Given new energy or vigor, revitalized”. How many of us don’t want this?! And perhaps this comes as a result of resting? I think sometimes challenges and the stress at hand can provide new energy to tackle the challenge, which is helpful. But I’m mostly thinking of finding passion and interest to tackle a new goal or project. As we think about the new year, what is something you would like to try or do differently?
As I think of the farming community I serve, too many told me this past year that “farming is no longer fun”. I mentioned this in a talk this December – almost the entire room of people raised their hands in agreement. That’s just sad to me. The stress I see and feel from those I serve has been exponential in the past 5-7 years. If you resonate with that statement, may I ask us all to think about our “Why” before next growing season? Why do we do this?-and perhaps write it and place it somewhere to remind you during challenges next year. Why is farming no longer fun and what would make it fun for you again? Some examples from conversations with me included the need to try something different on a few acres, giving up some ground, spending more time with family, diversifying an enterprise, focusing on increasing the quality on one piece of ground, changing a crop enterprise, learning a new skill. Would encourage us all to set a goal around something that would rejuvenate us.
Rejoice – “Feel or show great joy or delight”. What we rejoice in or about can differ for us all. As I looked around my house, I realize many of my Christmas decorations have a “Joy” theme. As we think of Christmas, with my faith, I’m rejoicing in God’s rescue plan of humbling himself to be born as a baby who would live a perfect life, die, and rise again conquering sin and death so that in believing and receiving, we could have hope of eternal life with him! You may believe in something else that gives you joy and may have a different belief surrounding this time of year. Another way to rejoice is to think about gratitude. As we reflect this Christmas season of all we’ve been given and blessed with, of the people in our lives, of the people who have passed on who impacted our lives, may we all find reasons to rejoice!
So as my friend wished this for me, here’s wishing us all, “time to rest, rejuvenate, and rejoice in the season”!
It’s also Extension reporting season. If you would be so kind to share any comments on how the Extension work I did impacted you this past year, I’d appreciate it. Thanks!
Participants can vote at Slido.com with #4EXT
Certifications & Trainings
I’ve received several questions about various certifications, so sharing on that. In the next few weeks, those of you in this part of the State will also receive our Extension winter program mailing with info.
Private Pesticide Applicator Training is for those who purchase and/or use restricted use pesticides on land you own/rent. Those desiring initial certification or recertification have the same options:
1-Attend a face to face training.
2-Take the online training at https://pested.unl.edu/certification-and-training (available after Jan. 1)
3-Attend a Crop Production Clinic (need to stay the entire day) https://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc
Commercial/Noncommercial Applicator Training is for those who apply pesticides on other people’s ground and receive a payment for those applications. Trainings and testing dates available after Jan. 1.
Initial certification involves purchasing the books in the categories you wish to be certified in. All need to be certified in the general standards (00) category in addition to the specific application category. You then have choices of walk-in testing, attending a training session, or taking the test at a computer center. Info. on the commercial/non-commercial tab at: https://pested.unl.edu/certification-and-training.
Recertification training for those with the Ag Pest Control-Plant category (01) is to attend our Crop Production Clinics. The closest to this area include Jan. 10 near Mead, Jan. 11 in Beatrice, Hastings on Jan. 17, and York on Jan. 19. Last year I enjoyed how we revamped the Mead and York locations to make them more hands-on. Unfortunately, they didn’t choose to keep that format and I mention that so you’re not expecting the new format at York this year. Info at: https://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc. Recertification for other categories can be found at: https://pested.unl.edu/certification-and-training.
Spray Drone Certification is a question I’ve received several times. I asked Elizabeth Smith with NDA to specify requirements, “For drone applications the pilot will need to have the same level of certification as our fix winged aerial applicators (FAA Part 107): If they are applying an RUP (restricted use product) they need the applicator licensed with 00, 12, and any additional category for the line of work they would be in outside of Ag Plant which is included in the category 12 exam (ex: Ornamental and Turf, Right of Way, Aquatic). They would also then need the aerial business license unless they are only applying on land they own/lease. Drone operators need to fly under a commercial or noncommercial license as we cannot issue the aerial category to a private applicator license. As always they would also need to ensure there are no label restrictions on the product they intend to apply such as “Do not apply aerially”. For general use products (GUP) they do not need an applicator license but may still need the business license if they intend to apply on property other than their own.”
Chemigation is for anyone who applies fertilizer and/or chemicals through water systems like pivots and subsurface drip irrigation. Options for initial and recertification include face-to-face meetings and online testing at: https://water.unl.edu/article/agricultural-irrigation/chemigation.
Dicamba and Paraquat training are offered by the manufacturing companies. Info. on dicamba training here: https://nda.nebraska.gov/pesticide/dicamba.html. Info. on paraquat training here (English & Spanish): https://campus.extension.org/login/index.php
Worker Protection Standard training materials can be found at https://www.pesticideresources.org/wps/full-library/#categories:training-materials. At this site, use the drop-down menu and select the “role” of those being trained. There are different training requirements for ‘workers’ vs. ‘handlers’.
Pivot Performance
Pivot Performance: As we think about and look at data from 2023 and at costs for 2024, something that has come up in a few conversations is pivot performance. Water covers a multitude of problems. The lack of moisture much of the past 2-3 years, the number of hail and windstorms, and the number of pivots and/or nozzles that were replaced are all factors to consider as you view yield maps and imagery. For example, in the rush of getting new pivots up and going, the wrong nozzles were placed on the wrong spans in some situations. It’s easy to do and can make a big difference in water output and distribution. It’s also easy to check to make sure nozzles are correct on the pivot by driving alongside of it and checking it with what the sprinkler package design says. Would encourage anyone who replaced pivots/sprinkler packages to add this to your checklist before irrigation season next year.
Another field I was checking fairly often in 2023 showed too much variability of plants in the field; imagery showed a problem too. I thought there was something wrong with the water output but was told that couldn’t be a problem. Turns out the wrong sprinkler package was put on that pivot after checking into it further; it can easily happen when several pivots are being replaced for the same farmers who get hit by these storms. Everyone is doing their best during these times of disaster events to keep ag going, yet mistakes can happen. I also think about how often a nozzle that was damaged gets replaced with whatever is handy vs. the correct nozzle, so that’s another thing to think about before irrigation next season.
My colleague, Bruno Lena in Platte County, received a Nebraska Soybean Board grant to work locally with growers on understanding their uniformity of water application. He worked with three growers and provided an excellent summary of what they did and their case study findings in the following CropWatch article: https://go.unl.edu/yfb8. The economics are also provided; it’s well worth a read.
Essentially he worked with growers on ‘catch a can’ tests where cups are mounted on stakes like electric fence posts and distributed evenly along a pivot. He and a team of colleagues worked together to collect the information. “Initially, pivots 1, 2 and 3 exhibited uniformity of water application (UWA) values of 78%, 59% and 23% with the old nozzles, as these pivots had received minimal maintenance attention since their initial installation. Growers noted that these pivots were 21, 34 and 38 years old, still equipped with the original nozzle package. Following the replacement of nozzles, all pivots demonstrated improvements. UWA increased to 92%, 90%, and 74% for pivots 1, 2, and 3, respectively. While pivots 1 and 2 met the manufacturer’s recommendation of at least 90% UWA, pivot 3 still fell short of the recommended values. Upon discussing this with the grower of pivot 3, it was revealed that the primary reason for the suboptimal UWA was the pumping capacity.”
Once the new sprinkler packages were installed, another thing Bruno and his team found were inconsistencies between the selected irrigation rate at the panel and the actual irrigation rate measured by the cups. The measured irrigation depth deviated from the depth selected at the pivot panel. One pivot was underapplying water by 0.19” and another was overapplying by nearly 0.38” each circle.
A father/son operation in York County had built their own catch a can system after working with Dr. Jim Specht and me on a project in 2022. They used it to test nozzle output on different pivots in 2023. On one pivot, they were aiming for 0.75” per circle yet the output in the cups was only 0.40” on average. That was a big realization to be underapplying by 0.35″/circle, especially in a year like 2023. They slowed the pivot down to get the application where it needed to be, and the father mentioned how grateful he was for doing that test. In a recent conversation, he mentioned it was a 30 year old pivot with an upgraded drive system (new center drives and gear boxes two years ago) that led to the gear ratios being different than the original. That was something they didn’t account for when using percentages on the computer printout, so another consideration. With many area pivots being completely new or upgraded in various ways the past few years, I mention all these examples for awareness and consideration as all these details can make a difference in pivot performance as you look at 2023 data and head into the 2024 season.
Christmas Plant Tips
This week, sharing some information on Christmas plants from my Extension horticultural colleague, Kelly Feehan. Before I do that though, I’ve been asked by a couple of Extension specialists to consider a soybean project that has different experimental treatments for soybean gall midge, stem borer, frogeye leaf spot, and white mold. The project would be conducted in small plots on the edge of an interested farmer’s field taking no more than 1-2 acres total. Can be irrigated or non-irrigated and can have history of one or more of the above-mentioned pests in the field. I’m on the fence regarding participating and want to gauge farmer interest. So, if this is something you’re interested in learning more about, please contact me this week and I’ll provide details for consideration.
Live Christmas Trees: Kelly shares, “Just a reminder to daily check live Christmas trees for their watering needs to avoid a fire hazard. For safety, start with a fresh Christmas tree and don’t let the basin run out of water. Use at least a one-gallon capacity tree stand and check the stand daily for adding water. A fresh tree whose trunk has not sealed will take up water quickly. The rule-of-thumb is a tree will use one quart of water per day for every inch of trunk diameter near the base. If you have a tree with a 3-inch base, it can use 3 quarts of water per day. The trunk should have been freshly cut at a slant just prior to putting it in the stand.
Once a Christmas tree stand runs out of water, how long does it take for the trunk to seal so it will no longer take up water? If the water drops below the base of the cut trunk, a seal of dried sap can form over the stump in four to six hours. This seal will prevent the tree from absorbing water, even if the tree stand is refilled; leading to tree drying and increased fire risk.
If a tree stand dries out and a seal forms on the tree base, the tree can be taken out of the stand and a fresh cut made; or one-half inch deep holes drilled into the trunk one-half inch apart; which might allow the tree to begin absorbing water again. This is not very feasible; so be diligent and don’t let Christmas tree stands dry out for a safe holiday season. Also, when watering, nothing needs to be added to water in the tree stand to promote freshness.”
Christmas Cactus: Kelly shares, “To keep Christmas cactus blooming as long as possible, place it in bright but indirect light. Too much sun can cause leaves to turn yellow. Keep soil or potting mix constantly moist but not waterlogged. Even though they are cactus, they are jungle natives and prefer just moist conditions with indirect light. Avoid fertilizing Christmas cactus during the winter; but do fertilize every other week from spring through fall. Plants seem to flower best if they are a little pot bound; but if roots become over-crowded in the container, blooming will decrease. If you haven’t repotted in several years, or you notice a decrease in flowering from the previous year, repot the plant into a slightly larger pot, but wait until spring. If possible, move the plants outside for summer. Keep in a shady area as Christmas cactus will not tolerate full sun.”
Poinsettias: Kelly also shares, “It’s Poinsettia time. Hard to believe these bright, colorful plants originated from a weed. And amazing what plant breeding and good marketing can do. To enjoy your Poinsettia as long as possible, place them in an area with bright sun for at least half the day. If possible, provide a night temperatures in the 50’s or 60’s. This is often the most challenging condition to meet in the home, but keep plants as cool as possible at night. If plants are near a window, don’t let the leaves touch cold window panes; and keep Poinsettias away from warm or cold drafts. Poinsettias need to be well-watered. Because they are in a light weight soil-less mix, they will dry out quickly. Allow the soil to dry slightly between watering; then water thoroughly until water runs out of drainage holes. Be sure to punch holes in decorative foil wraps to prevent soggy soil conditions or at least pour excess water out of the foil after each watering.”
JenResources 