Extension Update by Gary Zoubeck [November 14, 2013]

Coming Events

• Nov. 18, 2013 – York Extension Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Extension Office, York
• Nov. 21, 2013 – York County Corn Growers Banquet, 6:30 p.m., Chances R, York
• Dec. 10, 2013 – Landlord/Tenant Workshop, 6:30 p.m., 4-H Building, York

Cropping Update

Things got slowed down last week with the rain on Tuesday and Wednesday, but you really cannot complain too much about rain.  Typically we receive 1.77” of precipitation in October and 1.21” in November and this past year we’ve received 3.66” in October and 1.40” so far in November.  For the year were at 25.41” compared to our long term average of 26.91”.

From the producers I’ve visited with, most indicate that the corn that’s out in the field is still generally standing pretty good, but they’ll feel much better once it’s in the bin.  This years’ crop has not dried down nearly as well as it did the last few years, so as a result it’s been a little slower harvest.

I know that a lot of soil samples are being collected and plans for the coming year are being made. I’m not sure how much nitrogen will be applied this fall because of the weather, but I’d like to remind area producers of the 4Rs that our Nutrient Management Specialists want you to consider when deciding when and how much N fertilizer to apply.

The 4Rs are:

•  right time of application,

•  right fertilizer type,

•  right placement, and

•  right application rate.

Our team of Nutrient Management Specialists just prepared a great CropWatch article “Weighing the Value of Fall vs Spring Applications”.  Ideally what we want to do is apply the N right before the crop needs it for best efficiency, however sometimes that’s difficult to do in Nebraska with our variable weather.  Nitrogen fertilizers can be applied at many times throughout the year including; fall, spring, preplant, at planting, sidedress, or through fertigation.

This is the first fall in several years when we are entering winter with good stored soil moisture across much of the state. With normal precipitation this winter and early spring, the risks of leaching and denitrificaion increase.

Ideally, with split applications, taking into account soil N carryover and using realist yield goals you can improve your nitrogen efficiency and profitability.  Check out the complete CropWatch article and the many UNL tools we have at: http://CropWatch.unl.edu.

Now that harvest is nearing completion, I’d like to remind both landlords and tenants about our Landlord/Tenant workshop planned for December 10 here in York in the 4-H Building.  It will begin at 6:30 p.m., no cost to attend, but please register by December 6 so that adequate materials can be prepared.    Call us at 402-362-5508 to reserve a spot.  If you can attend the York session, check out this link to other sessions across Nebraska: http://go.unl.edu/c5j2.  This past week, Allan Vyhnalek, Extension Educator in Platte County prepared a great article for our CropWatch website titled “Relatives and Farm Leasing”.  He indicated that clearly dealing with relatives can be one of the hardest issues to address as it relates to farm leases. However, with good communications and a written lease agreement, you can set up relationships that are not hard on the family.  Check it out at: http://cropwatch.unl.edu.

This will be my final reminder that the Annual York County Corn Grower Banquet is planned for Thursday November 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Chances “R” here in York.  Tickets can be purchased for $10.00 from any of the board of directors or from me here at the Extension Office.  It should be a fun event with some great food, information and fellowship.  Again this year, one of the Nebraska LEAD fellows will make a presentation of their recent travels abroad, so order those tickets now.

Yard and Garden

Last week I mentioned what a difference a day can make!  The same is true this week. What a beautiful Saturday/Sunday and then things have changed, as I’m preparing my column it is 32° F and predicted to get to 18° F by Tuesday morning.

I was able to mow my lawn (hopefully for the last time) and pickup leaves over the weekend and trimmed up some of the perennial plant for the winter.  Haven’t the roses really been great all year?

Our turf specialist share three timely turf tips the past couple of week.  The first was on mowing.  He indicated that it’s important to continue mowing as long as the grass continues to grow(With the temperatures that are predicted, we may be done).  They also reminded us to avoid the urge to set the mower down and scalp your lawn for the final mowing as has been recommended in years past.  About the only advantage to this is that the tree leaves will blow from your lawn into the neighbor’s lawn.  Agronomically, mowing your lawn low in the last mowing should be avoided because photosynthesis is occurring deep into the fall, well beyond your last mowing. The higher the photosynthesis, the more energy a grass plant will store for winter and next spring, and the healthier the will be next year.  As we’ve always said, mowing off too much leaf area reduces photosynthetic capacity of a plant, reducing energy storage, and decreasing turf performance next summer. Regular mowing into the fall is also helpful to mulch tree leaves into the lawn, which research has shown to be beneficial.  Continue mowing at your regular height until the grass stops growing in the late fall, since unmowed tall grass can encourage snow mold in rare years.

The other two topics were about fertilizing your turf and dormant seeding turf.  Check them out at: http://turf.unl.edu.