Extension Update from Jenny Rees

Jenny’s REESources 

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.

Happy New Year!  Wishing you a safe and prosperous 2017!

Grain Storage:  It may be wise to take a moment to check your grain quality in bins if you haven’t already done so.  We had a really warm fall and we had some damaged corn going into bins. 

I’ve received a few samples in the office recently of corn that came from plants with ear formation issues.  During harvest, I worked with farmers, elevators, and grain inspection services to get a handle on the pathogens with which we were dealing.  At the time, we were seeing some fusarium/gibberella fungi particularly where insect feeding occurred and at the time samples submitted, were not finding mycotoxin levels of concern.  Mostly what I was finding on kernels people were calling ‘cob rot’ was actually the fungus causing diplodia ear rot.  This fungus can also cause loose shanks that we were seeing and can create more fines from damaged kernels.  The good news is that this fungus is not associated with a mycotoxin in Nebraska so we don’t have to worry about that for feeding the grain to livestock.  The bad news is that the fungus has a tendency to proliferate in the grain bin, causing increased damage under improper grain storage conditions.  It also creates what we call ‘mummy kernels’ impacting your test weight.  We’d recommend having grain containing diplodia to be stored at 13% moisture and 30F since we’re in longer-term storage right now.  A resource with good photos:  https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/BP-75-W.pdf 

I think what’s happened in some instances where grain in spoiling at the top is that the fines from damaged kernels were restricting the front to move through the bin.  The result is a top layer of corn above 15% moisture that is warm and spoiling due to the combination of diplodia and bacteria that I’m also finding in samples now.  Resources for grain bin management can be found at:  http://cropwatch.unl.edu/grainstorage2.  Please do take the time to check your grain in storage!

Holiday Plant Care: The following information is from Elizabeth Killinger, Extension Educator in Hall County.  Wondering what to do with your holiday plants?  You can keep them year-round with little trouble with a little help and know-how.

“The most popular holiday plant is the poinsettia.  After the holidays, a poinsettia makes a very nice house plant, but you have to be tricky to get them to color up again next year. Place the plants near a bright window, but not directly in the sunlight.  Ideal temperatures would be between 60 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit.  If the temperatures are kept above 75 degrees, the plants can decline quickly.  Avoid overwatering, applying too much water can kill the roots of the plant.  Wait until the surface of the potting media begins to dry slightly before watering.  Apply water until it begins to run out the bottom of the pot, wait 30 minutes, and then dump out the water that remains in the bottom of the foil sleeve or drip tray.  Don’t worry if the plant drops all of the bracts and looks like the Charlie Brown Christmas tree after the holidays.  Continue to water as needed until new growth forms.  Next year, near the middle of September, the poinsettia should be placed in complete darkness from 5 pm to 8 am daily. Put it under a cardboard box or in a dark closet to provide the “short day,” which encourages blooming. Lights from any lamps will prevent the bracts from changing color and for normal flowering. Continue this “short day” treatment until the plant bracts show color in late November.

Christmas cactus are another holiday plant that requires a little tricking.  It is similar to the poinsettia in that it needs short days and cool temperatures in order to encourage blooming.  Treat these like any other houseplant, water when needed and place in bright light.  From mid-September to mid-October, bring the plants inside and cover them at night so they only receive 9 hours of light each day.  Be sure to reduce watering and avoid fertilizing during the flower bud development.

The last holiday plant that can be kept year-round is the amaryllis.  Once the blooms fade, cut off the flower stalk.  This will allow the plant to put energy in to the big bulb instead of into seed development.  Continue to grow the bulb as a houseplant or grow outside when the weather allows.  When frost is predicted, bring the bulbs inside and store in a cool room.  Withhold water until the foliage dies.  The bulbs require a 2-3 month rest before growth and flowering can begin again.  Flower buds should appear several weeks after moving plants into warm temperatures and watering is restarted.  Bulbs that had four or more healthy leaves throughout the summer should be large enough to flower.”

Upcoming Workshops:  A reminder of upcoming January workshops that will be upon us quickly!

Jan. 6:  Crop Production Clinic, Holthus Convention Center, York, http://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc
Jan. 9:  Estate Planning Workshop, 9:30-2:30, York Country Club, York, RSVP 1-800-464-0258
Jan. 11:  Crop Production Clinic, Fairgrounds, Hastings, http://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc
Jan. 11-12:  York Ag Expo, Holthus Convention Center, York
Jan. 12-13:  Precision Ag Data Management Workshops, 4-H Bldg, York, http://agronomy.unl.edu/precisionag