Extension Update by Gary Zoubeck [March 6, 2014]

Coming Events

• March 6, 2014 – Cornhusker Economics Outlook Meeting, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m., Lancaster Extension Office, Lincoln http://agecon.unl.edu/ceo
• March 10, 2014 – Nebraska On-Farm Research Update, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., UNL’s ARDC near Mead, call 402-624-8030 or email keith.glewen@unl.edu to register.
• March 11, 2014 – Nebraska On-Farm Research Update, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., York 4-H Building, call 402-362-5508 or email gary.zoubek@unl.edu to register.
• March 13, 2014 – Private Pesticide Training, 1:30 p.m., York 4-H Building
• March 21, 2014 – Chemigation Training, 1:00 p.m., York 4-H Building

Nebraska Weather
It’s hard to believe it’s already March and spring is just around the corner. We’ve been having some record low temperatures so it sure does not feel like spring, but I know things can change quickly! For the past three months (December, January and February), we’ve received 1.08” of precipitation compared to our normal of 2.29”, so we’re short a little over 1.20” for this time period.  I guess if we’re going to be short this is a good time of year to be short.  At least we did not need to shovel it. March, April, and May are a different story, but I guess we’ll just have to wait and see!

In the latest CropWatch update, Al Dutcher, Extension State Agricultural Meteorologist indicated that “In short, I believe that this spring we will experience a repeat of 2013 spring conditions that would favor below normal temperatures and normal to above normal moisture for the central Plains. In fact, it is entirely possible that the first half of this spring will be colder than last year simply because of the extensive cold that remains locked into place across central and southern Canada, the Great Lakes region, and most of the eastern Corn Belt.” For the complete story, go to:  http://cropwatch.unl.edu/

York County Corn Grower and RoundUp Ready Soybean Plots Planned
Speaking of spring, I’m hoping to email out information about our York County Corn Grower and UNL RoundUp Ready Soybean Plots this week. If you’re an area seed company representative and are interested in entering these two plots, you can contact me at 402-326-8185 or email me at gary.zoubek@unl.edu. I’d be happy to get you information about or plots and hope you would consider entering.

On-Farm Research Update Meetings Planned
Last week I mentioned that we’ve planned a couple of Nebraska On-Farm Research Network (NOFRN) research update programs for March 10 and 11.  The first will be Monday, March 10, at UNL’s Agricultural Research and Development Center (ARDC) near Mead and the second will be Tuesday, March 11, at the 4-H Building here in York.

The March 10 session will be streamed live online at:  http://go.unl.edu/2014onfarmupdate.  The program is from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (CST) at both locations.

Growers who conducted on-farm research will share their results from the 2013 growing season at the March 10 & 11 meetings. Field length replicated treatment comparisons were completed in growers’ fields using their equipment.

The Nebraska On-Farm Research Network (NOFRN) is a statewide on-farm research program addressing critical farmer production, profitability, and natural resources questions. Growers take an active role in the on-farm research project sponsored by University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension in partnership with the Nebraska Corn Growers Association and the Nebraska Corn Board.

The luncheon speaker at these events will be Joe Luck, UNL Extension Precision Ag Specialist who will be speaking on “Making Use of Your Precision Ag Data”.

If participating in person and for meal planning purposes, preregistration is requested by calling 402-624-8030 or emailing keith.glewen@unl.edu for the March 10 program at the ARDC or 402-362-5508 or emailing gary.zoubek@unl.edu for March 11 program at the York 4-H Building. There is no registration fee as a result of funding from the Nebraska Corn Board.

To learn more about the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network and how to participate, go to: http://cropwatch.unl.edu/farmresearch. I hope you’ll plan to attend! Also, please consider conducting your own on-farm research study in 2014, I’d really like to work with you.

Crop Scout Training Planned
As I mentioned last week, Crop Scout training is planned for March 6 at the ARDC  near Mead.  This training will provides in-depth and detailed information from university specialists in the area of corn and soybean pest management. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and the workshop is from 9 a.m-5 p.m. Cost is $135. Fees include lunch, refreshment breaks, workshop materials, and instruction manual.

Topics will include: how corn and soybean plants grow and develop; soybean and corn insect management; insect quiz; identifying weeds – plant morphology; using a key to identify weed seedlings; crop diseases and quiz; and nutrient deficiencies. Certified Crop Advisor continuing education credits are available with 4 in pest management, 1 in crop management and .5 in fertility/nutrient management.

Registrants should preregister to reserve their seat and to ensure workshop materials are available the day of the training session. For more information or to register, contact UNL Extension at 402-624-8030, 800-529-8030, e-mail Keith Glewen at kglewen1@unl.edu, or online at http://ardc.unl.edu/training.shtml.