Extension Update from Jenny Rees

Jenny’s REESources – December 17, 2016

UPCOMING EVENTS:  

Jan. 5:  Fremont Corn Expo, 8am-3pm, Christensen Field, Fremont,nathan.mueller@unl.edu
Jan. 6:  Crop Production Clinic, Holthus Convention Center in York,http://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc
Jan. 9:  Estate Planning Workshop, York County Club, RSVP jrees2@unl.edu or 402-362-5508
Jan. 10-11:  Precision Ag Data Management Workshop, Lincoln, http://agronomy.unl.edu/precisionag
Jan. 11:  Crop Production Clinic, Adams County Fairgrounds in Hastings, http://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc
Jan. 11-12:  York Ag Expo, Holthus Convention Center in York
Jan. 12-13:  Precision Ag Data Management Workshop, 4-H Building York, http://agronomy.unl.edu/precisionag
Jan. 18:  LBNRD Nitrogen Mgmt Training, 9 a.m., Hastings, 402-364-2145
Jan. 18:  UBBNRD Nitrogen Mgmt Training, 1:30 p.m., Aurora Leadership Center, 402-362-6601
Jan. 19:  Chemigation, 1 p.m., Younes Conference Center, Kearney, cburr1@unl.edu
Jan. 19^: Financial Literacy Training, 9am, Fairgrounds in Clay Center,brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu or (402) 762-3644
Jan. 19-20:  NEW 2-day Crop Production Clinic, Younes Convention Center in Kearney, http://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc
Jan. 23:  Pesticide Training, 9am, York Fairgrounds, jrees2@unl.edu or 402-362-5508
Jan. 23:  Pesticide Training, 6:30pm, Harvest Hall at Seward Fairgrounds, jrees2@unl.edu
Jan. 24:  Pesticide Training, 9am, American Legion in Sutton, jrees2@unl.edu or 402-762-3644
Jan. 24:  Pesticide Training, 1:30 p.m., Webster Co. Museum, Red Cloud, ron.seymour@unl.edu
Jan. 24:  Pesticide Training, 2pm, Davenport Community Center, jrees2@unl.edu
Jan. 25:  Land Application Training, York Extension Office.  RSVP to jrees2@unl.edu or 402-362-5508
Jan. 26:  Nebraska Grain Sorghum Symposium, Grand Island
Jan. 31:  Farmers/Ranchers Cow-Calf College, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., USMARC near Clay Center, RSVP  (402) 759-3712
Jan. 31:  Pesticide Training, 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Fairgrounds Central City,smelvin1@unl.edu
Feb. 1:  Pesticide Training, 9am, Adams Co. Fairgrounds, Hastings, ron.seymour@unl.edu
Feb. 1:  Pesticide Training, 9am, Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, Wilber,rpryor1@unl.edu
Feb. 1-2:  Nebraska Ag Technologies Association (NeATA), Nebraska Innovation Campus
Feb. 1-2:  KZ-100 Farm and Life Expo, Columbus
Feb. 2:  Pesticide Training, 1:30 p.m., Senior Center, Kenesaw, ron.seymour@unl.edu
Feb. 3:  Pesticide Training, 9am, St. Joseph Fellowship Hall, Friend, rpryor1@unl.edu
Feb. 6:  Pesticide Training, 9am, Hebron Activity Center (downtown), jrees2@unl.edu
Feb. 6:  Pesticide Training, 2pm, Nelson, jrees2@unl.edu
Feb. 7:  Pesticide Training, 9am, 4-H Building in York, jrees2@unl.edu 402-362-5508
Feb. 7:  Pesticide Training, 2pm, 4-H Building in York, jrees2@unl.edu 402-362-5508
Feb. 7:  Pesticide Training, 1:30 and 6:30 p.m., Hruska Library, David City,mrethwisch2@unl.edu
Feb. 7:  Pesticide Training, 1:30 and 6:30 p.m., Ag Building Fairgrounds, Aurora,smelvin1@unl.edu
Feb. 8:  LBNRD Nitrogen Training, 9am, Hebron Community Center, 402-364-2145
Feb. 8:  UBBNRD Nitrogen Training, 1:30 p.m., Holthus Convention Center, 402-362-6601
Feb. 9:  Pesticide Training, 9 am, Hall Co. Extension, Grand Island,
Feb. 9:  Pesticide Training, 1:30 and 6:30 p.m., Fairgrounds Central City,smelvin1@unl.edu
Feb. 9:  Pesticide Training, 6:30 p.m., Community Center, Blue Hill, ron.seymour@unl.edu
Feb. 12-14:  Great Plains Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference, Missouri Western State University, St Joseph, MO
Feb. 13:  Pesticide Training, 9am, Nelson jrees2@unl.edu
Feb. 13:  Pesticide Training, 6:30pm, Fairgrounds in Clay Center, jrees2@unl.edu 402-762-3644
Feb. 14:  Hamilton County Ag Day, Fairgrounds, Aurora
Feb. 14:  Pesticide Training, 1:30 p.m., Dick’s Place, Lawrence, ron.seymour@unl.edu
Feb. 15:  Pesticide Training, 9am, Harvest Hall Fairgrounds Seward, jrees2@unl.edu
Feb. 15:  Pesticide Training, 9 am, Hall Co. Extension, Grand Island
Feb. 15:  Pesticide Training, 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Fairgrounds, Aurora,mrethwisch2@unl.edu
Feb. 15:  Chemigation, 1 p.m., Hall Co. Extension Office, Grand Island, troy.ingram@unl.edu
Feb. 15:  Pesticide Training, 2pm, Harvest Hall Fairgrounds Seward, jrees2@unl.edu
Feb. 15:  Pesticide Training, 6:30 p.m.,  Saline Center Hall, Western, rpryor1@unl.edu
Feb. 16:  LBNRD Nitrogen Training, 1:30 p.m., Fairgrounds in Clay Center 402-364-2145
Feb. 16:  Pesticide Training, 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Fairgrounds Geneva, bvandewalle2@unl.edu
Feb. 17:  Pesticide Training, 9am, DeWitt Community Center, DeWitt, rpryor1@unl.edu
Feb. 20:  Nebraska On-Farm Research Update, ARDC near Mead, http://cropwatch.unl.edu/farmresearch
Feb. 21:  Pesticide Training, 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Fillmore Co. Fairgrounds, Geneva,bvandewalle2@unl.edu
Feb. 21:  Pesticide Training, 9 a.m., Webster Co. Fairgrounds, Bladen, ron.seymour@unl.edu
Feb. 21:  Chemigation, 2 p.m., Franklin Co. Fairgrounds, ron.seymour@unl.edu
Feb. 22:  Farmers/Ranchers College:  Managing for Difficult Times, 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Fairgrounds in Geneva, RSVP  (402) 759-3712
Feb. 22:  Pesticide Training, 1:00 p.m., Firehall Meeting Room, Tobias, rpryor1@unl.edu
Feb. 23-24:  Women in Agriculture Conference, Holiday Inn Kearney, http://wia.unl.edu
Feb. 27:  Nebraska On-Farm Research Update, Hall Co. Extension Office, Grand Island, http://cropwatch.unl.edu/farmresearch
Feb. 27:  Farmers/Ranchers College:  Tips and Tricks for Women in Ag, 6:00 p.m., Lazy Horse Winery in Ohiowa, RSVP  (402) 759-3712
Feb. 28:  LBNRD Nitrogen Training, 9am, Shickley Community Center 402-364-2145
Feb. 28:  Pesticide Training, 1:30 p.m., Fairgrounds Osceola, mrethwisch2@unl.edu
Feb. 28:  Beef Profitability Meeting, 10am, Fairgrounds, Osceola
Mar. 1:  Chemigation, 1 p.m., 4-H Building, York, smelvin1@unl.edu
Mar. 1:  Chemigation, 1 pm, Pinnacle Bank, Columbus, anygren2@unl.edu
Mar. 2:  Pesticide Training, 9am, United Church of Christ, Crete, rpyror1@unl.edu
Mar. 2:  Pesticide Training, 1:30 p.m., Ag Building Fairgrounds, Aurora, smelvin1@unl.edu
Mar. 2:  Pesticide Training, 6 p.m., Bruning Opera House, Bruning, bvandewalle2@unl.edu
Mar. 6:  Pesticide Training, 2pm, Harvest Hall Fairgrounds Seward, jrees2@unl.edu
Mar. 6:  Pesticide Training, 6:30pm, 4-H Building Fairgrounds York, jrees2@unl.edu402-362-5508
Mar. 8:  Pesticide Training, 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Fairgrounds Osceola,mrethwisch2@unl.edu
Mar. 9:  Pesticide Training, 9 am, Hall Co. Extension, Grand Island
Mar. 9:  Pesticide Training, 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., Hruska Library, David City,mrethwisch2@unl.edu
Mar. 16:  Chemigation, 1:30 p.m., Adams County Fairgrounds, Hastings, ron.seymour@unl.edu
Mar. 22:  Pesticide Training, 1:30 and 6:30 p.m., Adams Co. Fairgrounds, Hastings,ron.seymour@unl.edu
Mar. 23:  Pesticide Training, 9 am, Hall Co. Extension, Grand Island
Apr. 11:  Pesticide Training, 1:30 and 6:30 p.m., Hruska Library, David City, mrethwisch2@unl.edu

Master Gardener Training:  Tuesday evenings 6-9 p.m. from February 7-March 21 at York and Clay County Extension Offices.  Please RSVP to jrees2@unl.edu or 402-362-5508 for attending in York or Deanna Peshek at 402-762-3644 to attend in Clay.

Farm Finance Clinic Sites and Dates To sign up for a clinic or to get more information, call Michelle at the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.

Nutrient Value of Stover
One of the most asked questions I’ve received about harvesting crop residue is what is the nutrient content of the stover.  Our Extension nutrient management specialists share that this can depend on the season, management practice, time of harvest, location, and what part of the plant is being removed.  For example, more nutrients are concentrated in leaves and husks than in the stalks.  Per ton of dry harvested corn or sorghum residue, average nutrient concentrations include 17 lbs of Nitrogen, 4 lbs of P₂O₅, 34 lbs of K₂O, and 3 lbs of Sulfur.  Taking these nutrient values in pounds per ton and multiplying by current fertilizer prices in dollars per pound give the value of nutrients in the residue based on dollars per ton of residue removed.  Of note, this formula takes into account the full fertilizer value of the nutrients removed.  However, if the soil has adequate capacity to supply some nutrients (such as potassium in Nebraska), the value of removed nutrients may be less (from 0-50% of fertilizer value). 

Another consideration includes the fact that positively charged ions removed with residue harvest such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium removes their contribution to neutralizing soil acidity implying lime will eventually be needed.  Harvesting 1 ton of corn residue removes the equivalent cations contained in 35 lbs of lime.  If lime is worth $40/ton, $0.70 should be added to the value of crop residue.

Additional values to the residue come from potential soil loss due to wind and/or water erosion, any potential yield loss (which from last week was shown to be minimal and primarily observed in water-limiting environments), any increased irrigation due to evaporative losses, and the cost of raking/baling/transporting residue.

Last week I shared research has shown a minimum of 2.4 tons/acre of residue is necessary to maintain soil organic carbon in no-till systems.  With increased tillage, greater residue amounts are necessary because tillage increases decomposition rates of residues and soil organic matter. 

Regarding soil losses due to water erosion, additional studies in Gage, Sherman, and Chase counties in Nebraska looked at tillage, soil type, and terrace effects on the amount of residue that could be removed to maintain less than 5 tons/acre/year water erosion for silt loam and silty clay loam soils.  The research found that no residue could be removed if the land is tilled by disking unless the field is terraced, had 2% slope (but not 5% or greater), and yielded greater than 150 bu/ac.  Fields that were no-tilled and terraced even up to 10% slope could have residue removed and still maintain less than 5 tons/acre/year water erosion.  Regarding wind erosion in another study, ground covers of 30 and 60% were estimated to be sufficient to reduce wind erosion by 70 and 90% respectively compared to bare soil.

Totaling up the various factors for consideration can provide an estimate of the cost of crop residue harvest in dollars per ton.  These factors again include:  nutrients removed, lime equivalent value, yield loss, soil loss from wind and water erosion, any increased irrigation, and raking/baling/transportation.

Farm and Ranch Business Succession and Estate Planning
This is such an important topic and I always learn another piece from these trainings!  We’re hosting this on January 9^th at the York Country Club from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (Registration begins at 9:00 a.m.).  Please RSVP by calling the Rural Response Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.  The workshop is about farm and ranch business succession and family estate planning.  It will include a discussion of beginning farmer programs that can aid in succession planning and is useful for established farm and ranch owners, for their successors, and for beginners.   Topics include:  stages of succession planning, contribution & compensation, balancing the interests of on-farm and off-farm heirs; the importance of communication, setting goals, assessing feasibility, and balancing intergenerational expectations and needs; beginning farmer loan and tax credit programs; the use of trusts, wills, life estate deeds and business entities (such as the limited liability company) in family estate and business succession planning;  legal tools for balancing the interests of successors and off-farm heirs; asset protection; taxation (federal transfer taxes, Nebraska inheritance tax, basis adjustment), and essential estate documents.  Presenters include:  Joe Hawbaker, Agricultural Law attorney, with Hawbaker Law Office, Omaha and Dave Goeller, Deputy Director, Northeast Center for Risk Management Education, UNL. 

There is no charge for this workshop and it is made possible by the Nebraska Network for Beginning Farmers & Ranchers, the Farm and Ranch Project of Legal Aid of Nebraska, the Risk Management Agency of the USDA, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s Farm Mediation, Nebraska Extension York Co, and Meal Sponsors:  Cornerstone Bank, Henderson State Bank, Midwest Bank, and York State Bank.  Please be sure to thank our sponsors and hope to see you there!

Precision Ag Data Management Workshops
These are hands-on workshop experiences to demonstrate methods for extracting more information from your precision ag data.  This year, I’m hosting this in York at the 4-H Building on January 12-13 from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. each day (registration at 8:30 a.m.).  The workshop contains presentations and hands-on exercises for producers, consultants, government personnel, retailers, and other ag professionals and you may choose to attend either or both days.  Six hours of CCA CEUs have been applied for.  We’re also limited to 20 attendees per session so please register early!  Online pre-registration is required and can be done by going to the following site:  http://agronomy.unl.edu/precisionag.  Reduced rates are available for those desiring a second person from an operation to attend as well.

Day One topics include:  Creating field-based profitability with yield data and partial budgets, Soil sampling and development of grid and zone based maps, On-Farm Research 1: Setting up variable rate field trials, On-Farm Research 2: Analyzing yield versus as-applied data.   Day Two topics include:  Aerial imagery, available datasets and utilization, Profitability with multiple operations (as-applied data plus yield maps), Management Zones 1: Development using Ag Leader SMS Software, Management Zones 2: USDA Management Zone Analyst exercise.

CropWatch Survey:  We share much information through our UNL CropWatch website (http://cropwatch.unl.edu) and are always desiring to improve based on your feedback.  Your feedback also helps us as we justify the work that we put into CropWatch.  Please consider completing this short survey for us at the following link (http://surveymonkey.com/r/UNL_CropWatch) and we thank you in advance for your input!