Education Commons^™

G81-563 Grazing Management Of Irrigated Grass Pastures, James T. Nichols

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses factors and principles of plant growth that influence irrigated pasture production; suggests management practices that allow irrigated pastures to express their production potential; and suggests stocking rates for various levels of production and classes of cattle.

Grazing management has a major impact on the production potential from irrigated pasture. Proper management practices can maximize pasture production -- poor management ultimately results in unacceptable production levels.

G81-544 Residue Management For Soil Erosion Control, Elbert C. Dickey, David P. Shelton, Paul J. Jasa

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses how crop residue can be used to control soil erosion.

Crop residue is increasingly being used as a major tool to reduce the loss of one of Nebraska's most valuable resources--its topsoil. Soil erosion and the subsequent sedimentation have been identified as major water quality problems in the state. Residue reduces soil erosion caused by both wind and water. However, this NebGuide deals mainly with soil erosion caused by water since it accounts for 80 percent of Nebraska's soil loss.

G81-551 Ecofarming: Spring Row Crop Planting And Weed Control In Winter Wheat Stubble, Gail A. Wicks, Norman L. Klocke

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Weed control, stubble management and planters for planting in winter wheat stubble are covered here.

Planting corn, sorghum or soybeans into untilled, weed-free winter wheat stubble that is 10 months old is an accepted practice in the Central Great Plains States. In Nebraska, this system is known as ecofallow. Treating the stubble with herbicides following wheat harvest (ecofallow) offers several advantages:

Weed and volunteer wheat growth can be eliminated. Weed growth robs valuable moisture that could be used by the next year's crop.

Standing stubble provides an excellent snow trap during the winter. Snow melt can provide moisture for the …

G80-526 The Effect Of Weather On Corn: Preseason Precipitation And Yield Of Unirrigationed Corn, Ralph E. Neild

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide examines the results of studies done on the effects of weather on unirrigationd corn.

Studies of the effects of weather on unirrigationd corn in Nebraska between 1950 and 1974 show the following four factors to be closely related to yield:

Technology--the availability of better hybrids, nitrogen fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides and other improvements have resulted in a yield increase averaging 1.3 bushel per acre per year since 1950.

Preseason precipitation--that which occurred between September 1 and May 15 had a beneficial effect. Yield increased on the average of 1.1 bushel per acre for each inch that preseason precipitation was …

G80-509 Canada Thistle, Robert G. Wilson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The growth and control of Canada thistle is covered here.

Canada thistle plant

Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense (L) Scop.] is a native of Eurasia and was probably introduced to America around 1750. Since that time it has spread throughout the northern part of the United States. Canada thistle is estimated to infest 800,000 acres in northern and western Nebraska.

A perennial that reproduces from seed and by an extensive root system, Canada thistle is dioecious, with the male and female flowers on separate plants. For viable seed to be produced, both male and female plants need to be present.

G80-487 Spring Small Grains Variety Selection (Revised January 1992), Russell Moomaw, Lenis Alton Nelson, David D. Baltensperger, Roger Hammons

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Tests indicate which varieties of oats, barley and spring wheat are best adapted to Nebraska growing conditions. The primary spring small grain grown in Nebraska is oats. Oats are grown throughout the state, but production is concentrated in the east and northeast cropping districts. Nebraska's estimated harvested oat acreage in 1989 was 310,000 acres. Spring barley production is centered in the northwest and southwest districts. Harvested barley acreage in 1990 was 30,000 acres. Barley is commonly grown as an early summer feed grain and corn substitute. Spring wheat production in Nebraska is concentrated in the northern section of the state …

G79-436 Control Of Downy Brome In Alfalfa, Charles R. Fenster, Gail A. Wicks, Robert G. Wilson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Downy brome in alfalfa indicates poor alfalfa management or failure to control downy brome around field boundaries. It lowers the quality of the first cutting of hay, but can be controlled by one or more of the following: (1) planting in downy brome-free soil, (2) maintaining good vigorous alfalfa stands, (3) using adapted varieties, (4) having adequate fertility - especially phosphorus in the soil, (5) applying timely and correct amounts of irrigation water, (6) controlling downy brome in adjacent areas, and (7) use of herbicides.

G79-445 Soybean Variety Selection, Leroy V. Svec

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide has information on soybean characteristics that should be considered before selecting a variety to plant.

Soybean characteristics that need to be considered in making the selection of a variety to plant include maturity, yield potential, plant type, height, seed size, emergence score, lodging, shattering, and disease and insect resistance. Many years are required to develop a new variety from the time an initial cross of soybeans is made until the time seed is available on a widespread basis. The advance of a potential variety through the early generations may be accomplished with only a few seeds of the …

G79-471 Choosing Corn Hybrids, Lenis Alton Nelson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication explains what factors to consider and compare when selecting a corn hybrid and how to obtain recent hybrid test data. One of the most important decisions a corn producer makes is choosing the hybrid seed. Hundreds of hybrid names and numbers are advertised and offered for sale. Selecting the few that offer the greatest yield and profit potential requires time, effort, and study. This should be a continuous process for a corn grower because important information on new or established hybrids may be encountered at any time.

G79-430 Oat Production In Nebraska (Revised March 1992), Russell Moomaw, Charles A. Shapiro

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Information is provided for various oat production practices including seed selection, fertilizing, planting, weed control and harvest. Oats were among the first crops grown by pioneers who settled eastern Nebraska. As recently as 1950, Nebraska produced 2.7 million acres of oats. Acreage has declined steadily, however, and in 1990 there were just 300,000 acres. Oats are grown throughout the state, with the majority being in eastern Nebraska where the cool, moist climate provides for the best growth. The feed value of oats also favors its production in northeast Nebraska where swine, dairy cattle, and beef cattle production are heavy. An …

G79-464 Composting Municipal Sewage Sludge Slurry, Leon Chesnin

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Municipalities can save operating expenses, eliminate pollution problems and increase the convenience of their waste management program by recycling their sewage sludge slurry in agricultural soils.

Sewage sludge slurries have from 2 to 10-percent solids depending on the treatment plant design and operation procedures. Sewage slurries with more than 8 percent solids are difficult to pump because of high friction in the pipe lines and pump mechanism. Sewage slurries can be applied to agricultural fields by gravity flow and sprinkler irrigation systems, as well as by tank trucks that either broadcast spray on, or inject the slurry into, the soil. …

G79-481 Setting A Realistic Corn Yield Goal (Revised January 2004), Achim Dobermann, Charles A. Shapiro

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Corn growers need to set a realistic corn yield goal in order to make sound decisions on corn hybrid, seeding rate, fertilizer application, and irrigation need. The goal should be the most profitable yield that can be expected for the particular set of soil, climate, and management practices. Yield goals should gradually increase over time, but cannot exceed the theoretical yield potential. This NebGuide discusses how to set a realistic corn yield goal by acknowledging climatic yield limitations of corn in Nebraska and the yield history in a field.

G78-421 How To Choose An Irrigation Consultant, James R. Gilley

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Presented here are some guidelines and criteria to aid in the selection process for irrigation management assistance.

The complexity of agricultural technology makes it difficult for the farmer to apply this technology on a day-by-day basis. Refinement and application of agricultural technology in the field has generally been through industrial representatives and federal and state extension programs.

G78-398 Irrigated Small Grain Production, Philip Grabouski, Walter Trimmer, Louis Daigger

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Excellent management practices for irrigated small grains are necessary to obtain high yields. What varieties should I use? How should the seedbed be prepared? What row spacing is best? What plant nutrients are needed? How much fertilizer should I use? When should I apply the fertilizer? What is the water intake rate of my soil? How much will it hold? When is the best time to irrigate? These are some of the questions in the mind of the irrigated small grain producer and are answered in this NebGuide.

G77-357 Selecting Alfalfa Varieties For Nebraska (Revised December 1997), Bruce Anderson, Michael Trammell, Patrick E. Reece

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Yield potential, pest resistance and seed price all should be considered in selecting alfalfa varieties in Nebraska. This NebGuide discusses them.

The most important variety decision made on many farms and ranches is the selection of alfalfa. The choice of alfalfa variety affects production for three to 10 or more years, whereas varieties of annual crops can be changed every year.

Many alfalfa varieties are available from private and public plant breeders. Over the years, yield trials conducted at widely distributed Nebraska locations have tested most varieties sold in the state.

G77-382 Right Crop Stage For Herbicide Use Corn, Sorghum, Small Grains (Revised May 1992), Drew J. Lyon, Robert G. Wilson Jr., Alex Martin

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Herbicides recommended for postemergence application in corn, sorghum, and small grains are discussed in this NebGuide. Proper timing of postemergence herbicides is essential to achieve maximum weed control and minimum crop injury. As field crops grow and mature, their tolerance to herbicides changes. As a general rule, annual and biennial weeds are more susceptible to postemergence herbicides when they are in the seedling stage. As they mature they become increasingly difficult to control, facing the grower with the problem of when to apply the herbicide to achieve the least crop injury and the most satisfactory weed control. Field crops differ …

G77-338 Open Burning (Revised March 1984), Donald E. Westover

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

People have been using fire in their cleanup chores for hundreds of years. One of the most common reasons for burning on the farm and in the city alike, has been to dispose of leaves and garden residues in the spring and fall of the year. Another common practice has been to burn tree limbs and stumps, fence posts, even old haystacks on the farm. Open burning has been done on a variety of scales, from jobs as small as burning the day's trash in the backyard burning barrel to jobs as large as burning wheat stubble after harvest.

G77-357 Selecting Alfalfa Varieties For Nebraska (Revised December 1994), Bruce Anderson, David Holshouser, Patrick E. Reece, Michael Trammell

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The most important variety decision made on many farms and ranches is the selection of alfalfa varieties. The choice of alfalfa variety affects production for three to 10 or more years.

Yield potential, pest resistance and seed price all should be considered in selecting alfalfa varieties in Nebraska. This NebGuide discusses them.

G76-301 How To Tell Corn, Sorghum Maturity, J.D. Eastin, J.T. Hultquist, C.Y. Sullivan

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Researchers have discovered a way to tell when corn and grain sorghum have stopped filling — when they are physiologically mature. A layer of cells near the point where the kernel is attached to the plant turns dark brown as the kernel nears maturity and, finally, black when the kernel is mature.

This NebGuide discusses how to read maturity in the layers of corn and sorghum.

G74-121 Sandbur Control In Field Corn (Revised January 1999), Gail A. Wicks, Robert G. Wilson Jr.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Sandbur can be a major weed problem in cornfields if not properly controlled. This NebGuide discusses mechanical and chemical alternatives for controlling sandbur.

Sandbur is a problem weed on coarse to fine-textured soil. The North Platte Valley, southwest and west central Nebraska, and the Sandhills are areas in the state where sandbur is a major weed problem in corn. Sandbur seldom becomes a primary weed problem in eastern Nebraska. Both field (Cenchrus pauciflorus Benth.) and longspine [Cenchrus longispinus (Hack.) Fern.] sandbur grow in Nebraska.

G74-174 Fertilizer Suggestions For Corn (Revised November 2003), Charles A. Shapiro, Richard B. Ferguson, Achim R. Dobermann, Charles S. Wortmann

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Fertilizer nutrient requirements for corn are based on expected yield and nutrient levels in the soil. Crop production in Nebraska typically requires applying nitrogen to supplement that available in the soil. Phosphorus is the second most likely nutrient to be deficient in the soil for good corn yields.

G74-131 No-Till Corn In Alfalfa Sod, Alex R. Martin, Russell S. Moomaw

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Nebraska produces about 1,740,000 acres of alfalfa annually. Corn or grain sorghum usually follows alfalfa in the crop rotation. The moldboard plow or chisel plow are commonly used to break up alfalfa sod for corn planting. The plow is a high consumer of energy, requiring about 2.25 gallons of diesel fuel per acre.

Research conducted in Nebraska has been used to develop a system in which the alfalfa is killed with herbicides and corn is planted directly into the sod without tillage. Plowing is eliminated and energy requirements can be reduced to about 1/4 that used in the conventional plow …

G74-142 Harvesting And Preserving Hay Crop Silage, Rick Grant, Rick Stock

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes principles of successful hay crop harvest, silage preservation, management techniques to obtain high quality hay crop silage, and proper use of silage storage facilities.

Most hay (legume and grass) crops can be ensiled, or made into silage, successfully. For best feeding value and preservation, consider the special requirements for ensiling each crop.

Hays to be ensiled should be selected on the basis of economics. Which are the most profitable for supplying nutrients? For example, legumes have a relatively higher value for dairy herds than for beef finishing operations because of dairy cows' higher requirement for protein.

G74-174 Fertilizer Suggestions For Corn (Revised July 1995), Gary W. Hergert, Charles A. Shapiro, Richard B. Ferguson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Fertilizer nutrient requirements for corn are based on expected yield and nutrient levels in the soil. Nitrogen is the nutrient most often required for growing corn. Nearly all corn in Nebraska will need some nitrogen fertilizer unless there is substantial nitrogen in the soil from sources. Phorphorus is the second nutrient most likely to be needed, and needs are best determined with a reliable soil test. Potassium, sulfur, zinc, and iron fertilizer may be needed for growing corn on certain soils. Crop needs for calcium, magnesium, boron, chlorine, copper, manganese, and molybdenum are adequately supplied by Nebraska soils.

G73-30 The Alfalfa Weevil (Revised May 1989), Stephen D. Danielson, David L. Keith, George Manglitz

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The alfalfa weevil is the primary insect pest of alfalfa in Nebraska. Management is essential during years when weevil infestations are high.

Damage from the alfalfa weevil can be severe. The life cycle of this pest and methods of managing it are discussed in this publication.

G73-2 Fertilizer Management For Alfalfa (Revised August 1977), Delno Knudsen, George Rehm

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Adequate soil fertility is necessary for alfalfa production on both dryland and irrigated soils of Nebraska. With adequate, but not excessive fertilizer programs, irrigated alfalfa should produce 6 to 8 tons per acre. Dryland alfalfa on the same soils should, on the average, produce 2 to 3 tons per acre.

This NebGuide covers the following areas for fertilizer management for alfalfa: soil and water tests, lime, fertilizer for establishment, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, micronutrients, nitrogen recommendations and special problems.

G73-35 How To Plant Wheat, C. R. Fenster, G. A. Peterson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Winter wheat needs a seedbed that is firm enough to provide good seed-soil contact and is moist enough to provide water for germination and seedling establishment. Winter wheat needs a seedbed that is firm enough to provide good seed-soil contact and is moist enough to provide water for germination and seedling establishment. Other Nebraska Experiment Station information is available on how to properly prepare the seedbed.

G73-46 Hessian Fly On Wheat, John E. Foster, Gary L. Hein

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses the life cycle, control and prevention of the Hessian fly. Plant-safe dates and resistant wheat varieties are also examined.

The Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say), is not native to the United States, but was probably introduced by Hessian soldiers during the Revolutionary War. This insect was given its common name by Americans because of its damage on Long Island in 1779. The pest has become distributed throughout the United States wheat production areas since then.

The Hessian fly belongs to the family of insects known as gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a group noted for their habit of …

G73-24 Winter Wheat Varieties, Lenis Alton Nelson, R.H. Hammons, P. Stephen Baenziger

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide provides brief descriptions of selected winter wheat varieties released since 1984. The University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources conducts wheat variety trials in all parts of Nebraska. Private companies enter their varieties or hybrids in the test voluntarily. Public entries are chosen by the agronomy staff at the University. The current copy of the annual Extension Circular, Nebraska Fall-Sown Small Grain Variety Tests, includes detailed yield, bushel weight, other performance data, and period of years data. Nebraska Cooperative Extension and the University's Agricultural Research Division jointly publish these circulars which are available from Extension offices …

Forty-Seventh Annual Report Of The Agricultural Experiment Station Of Nebraska February 1, 1934, W.W. Burr

Agricultural Research Division: News and Annual Reports

This report is for the most part a record of the achievements of the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1933. The reports from the substations extend to January 1, 1934. A financial statement showing the receipts and expenditures of the Experiment Station is included.

The projects are grouped and discussed under subject headings. Little or no progress has been made on some projects, while others, on which attention has been concentrated, have been advanced rapidly or completed. Curtailment of appropriations and a reduction in cash funds due to the low prices of agricultural products …