Agriculture Commons^™

G88-875 Weed Control In Soybeans, Russell S. Moomaw, Robert N. Stougaard, Alex Martin, Fred Roeth, David Mortensen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide provides information on mechanical and chemical weed control methods, including herbicides to use for preplant incorporated, preemergence and postemergence. Soybeans are a relatively easy crop to grow. Limited insect and disease problems presently are associated with their production in Nebraska. Weeds, however, are a major production problem. Each 100 pounds of weed growth results in a one bushel loss in soybean yield. Weeds that emerge with the crop and remain in the row are the strongest competitors. Those that emerge later than six weeks after planting have little effect on yield, so it is important to focus on …

G88-888 Flow Control Devices For Center Pivot Irrigation Systems, William L. Kranz

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Several factors contribute to the need for sprinkler flow rate regulators. This NebGuide discusses them.

Many center pivot irrigation systems operate on undulating terrain. Systems operated on undulating terrain experience large pressure differences in the pivot pipeline. Since water distributed by each sprinkler is determined by the pressure in the pipeline, water applied by these systems can be non-uniform.

Pressure regulating devices that equalize the flow of water from individual sprinklers have become more common since uniform water application may save water and increase overall crop production. When installing a sprinkler package on a new system or replacing sprinklers on …

G88-883 Managing Of Disease To Produce Antibiotic/Residue Free Animal Food Products, Duane Rice, R. Gene White

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses the use of antibiotics in animals, approved drugs and extra-label drugs, and ways to test for drug residue. Infectious diseases in livestock are costly, and prevention is the best approach to minimize such losses. Yet despite good management practices and extensive preventive measures, disease outbreaks do occur, and treatments become necessary. To obtain antibiotic residue-free products from food animals, knowledgeable decisions regarding the use of medications are necessary. It is important to realize that antibiotic treatments are used only to eliminate or shorten the duration of existing infections, or to prevent secondary bacterial infections. These infections may …

G87-845 Electrical Systems For Agricultural Buildings (Recommended Practices), Gerald R. Bodman, Laverne E. Stetson, Jack L. Schinstock

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes some of the specialized wiring practices and equipment required in agricultural buildings.

During June 1982, electrical system failures resulted in animal losses in excess of $100,000 on three Nebraska swine farms. In 1983, more than $45,000 worth of feeder pigs were electrocuted on another Nebraska farm. Dairy and beef animals also have been electrocuted--as have producers. A survey of more than 400 Nebraska farms revealed that over 50 percent have problems due to poor on-farm wiring. A more recent survey of 14 farms revealed none with 100 percent properly wired buildings. Many had conditions which were serious …

G87-849 Vaccinations In Sheep Flocks, Dale M. Grotelueschen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

High economic return per dollar invested can result from proper flock health management. Vaccinations are part of health management.

A preventive health program in modern sheep production systems is advisable. High economic return per dollar invested can result from proper flock health management. Health management is much more than a vaccination program. Vaccinations themselves are considered for a variety of reasons. These include disease risk management and strict prevention. Vaccinations may also be indicated in situations where management practices other than vaccine administration do not produce optimum health or economic benefits.

It is not feasible to outline one vaccination program …

G87-846 Electrical Systems For Agricultural Buildings (Checklist), Gerald R. Bodman, Laverne E. Stetson, Jack L. Schinstock

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide is a checklist to help in evaluating both existing and new electrical installations for agricultural buildings.

Good electrical system design and installation is required to assure a safe, efficient system. Good practices and appropriate equipment are essential.

G86-773 How To Evaluate Grain Pricing Opportunities, Lynn H. Lutgen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This is the last in a series of six NebGuides on agricultural options and discusses "homework" needed to evaluate pricing opportunities.

The market is an ever changing dynamic force. While we recognize this, we also realize that to do a good job of marketing, we must be able to evaluate our pricing opportunities. We must be able to evaluate what the market is offering quickly and efficiently. Evaluating pricing opportunities comes from time spent doing homework throughout the year. If we have done this homework, we can listen to the grain market reports (Chicago futures) on the radio and quickly …

G86-794 Enterotoxemia In Lambs, Dale M. Grotelueschen, Duane N. Rice

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses the causes, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention methods of this potentially fatal disease.

Enterotoxemia, which is also known as "overeating" or "pulpy kidney" disease, is a highly significant and costly disease problem for the sheep industry. Proper preventive practices are strongly recommended to sheep producers in order to avoid death loss from this disease.

The word "enterotoxemia" can be broken down into three parts that can be an aid in understanding the disease. The term "entero" refers to intestine; "tox" refers to toxin or poison; and "emia" refers to blood. Thus, from "intestinal toxin in the …

G86-795 Antibiotic Use In Animals, Duane N. Rice, E. Denis Erickson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide provides general guidelines about some of the problems that can occur when using antibiotics in treating animals.

Antibiotics are frequently used, and misused, by animal owners in an attempt to remedy disease problems. This use is encouraged by drug company sales efforts, economic pressures, and easy access to the products.

Improper use of antibiotics is costly, detrimental, and may result in: 1) delayed diagnosis; 2) ineffectiveness; 3) toxicity (poisoning); 4) allergic reactions; and 5) drug residue contamination of food animal products.

After evaluating possible benefits and risks, determining whether or not to use antibiotics for treatment depends on …

G86-825 Existing Buildings--Remodel Or Abandon?, Gerald R. Bodman, David P. Shelton

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Just because a building is there does not mean that remodeling is the best option. Here are ten factors of prime importance when deciding if a building is suitable for remodeling.

As livestock production enterprises change, many producers ask, "Should I remodel this building or abandon it and start over?" A sound answer requires careful evaluation of the intended use of the building being considered for remodeling. The immediate future and projected long range production goals must be considered. We've all read about successful remodeling projects, but few of us ever hear about the large number of remodeling projects that …

G86-771 Evaluating Options Vs. Futures Contracts, Lynn H. Lutgen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This is number four in a series of six NebGuides on agricultural options. It explains how to evaluate options vs futures contracts.

Options and futures contracts are similar. Both represent actions that occur in the future. Futures markets are contracts to either accept or deliver the actual physical commodity, while an option contract is a contract on the underlying futures contract. Options contracts give the farmer the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying commodity. This underlying commodity is a futures contract. Due to these similarities and the fact that options are based on a futures …

G86-796 Growing Degree Day Requirements And Freeze Risk As A Guide To Selecting And Planting Corn Hybrids, Ralph E. Neild

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses the growing degree day requirements for Nebraska's four corn-growing regions, and how using these requirements can aid in planting date decisions.

Variations between locations, between seasons at a particular location, between planting times at a particular location and season, and between the requirements of different hybrids result in differences in the number of days it takes for corn to mature. These variations in days are all closely related to differences in temperatures when the corn is being grown.

G86-811 High Quality Seed Wheat, Lenis Alton Nelson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses high quality winter wheat, the options farmers have in obtaining high quality seed, seed size, year-old seed, seed treatment, and replanting the same seed year after year. Winter wheat uniquely allows the least time between the harvest of one crop and the planting of the next of any annual crop. This short time period may necessitate making a hurried decision about the seed to be planted. In the end, the farmer must be responsible for planting good, high quality seed. The phrase "high quality seed wheat" means different things to different people. High quality wheat seed is …

G86-812 Sorghum Yield Loss Due To Hail Damage, Charles A. Shapiro, T. A. Peterson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses the methods used by the hail insurance industry to assess yield loss due to hail damage in grain sorghum. A hailstorm can cause yield losses in sorghum ranging from slight to total. Research has been conducted to accurately predict the effects of hail damage on sorghum yields. Results from these studies are used by hail insurance companies to assess yield losses and determine adjustments paid to clients. Information in this NebGuide will acquaint producers with procedures used to assess sorghum hail damage. These procedures may also be useful in estimating crop yields wherever stand loss or defoliation …

G86-820 How To Maximize Income By Managing Days Dry, Jeffrey F. Keown

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This guide discusses the benefits of maintaining the optimum calving interval and offers suggestions for accomplishing this reproductive management technique.

Most dairy producers are aware that an optimum calving interval is 365 days. This is a normal lactation length of 305 days with a dry period of 60 days. This interval is often looked at as a goal to strive toward rather than a goal that must be reached to maximize income from the sale of milk.

G85-753 Irrigation Scheduling Using Crop Water Use Data, C. Dean Yonts, Norman L. Klocke

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes using the "checkbook" method to schedule irrigations based on crop water use data.

Irrigation scheduling determines when and how much water to apply to meet crop demand. Soil water status and current crop water use are key factors for scheduling irrigations. Field observations and crop growth stage are important, but scheduled irrigations result in better rainfall use while avoiding crop water stress or excessive irrigation.

G85-748 Prevention And Control Of Swine Dysentery, Gerald E. Duhamel, Alex Hogg, Barbara E. Straw

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes the causes and symptoms of swine dysentery and offers management recommendations and treatment procedures for its prevention and control.

Swine dysentery is a highly contagious disease of growing and finishing pigs. First described in Indiana in 1921, it has been called black scours, bloody scours, and vibrionic dysentery.

Swine dysentery causes important financial losses because of reduced feed efficiency and lower weight gain, costs of medication and additional animal care, and death. Substantial costs may result from loss of sales of breeding stock, or depopulation when necessary. Serpula (Treponema) hyodysenteriae, a spiral bacterium, is the cause …

G85-760 Natural Air Corn Drying, Richard O. Pierce, Thomas L. Thompson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses factors affecting natural air corn drying system performance, and gives recommendations for bins filled over a one- to two-day period.

Natural air drying is an energy efficient drying method that is particularly well suited to Nebraska weather conditions. A high quality dried product, with little of the stress cracking or heat damage associated with high temperature drying, is an added attraction. However, good management practices must be followed to achieve satisfactory drying results.

A major concern with this method is overloading the bin with corn too wet to be dried without spoilage or deterioration, especially when the …

G85-770 An Introduction To Grain Options On Futures Contracts, Lynn H. Lutgen, Lynne A. Todd

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication, the third of six NebGuides on agricultural grain options, explains how to use futures options as a marketing tool.

A new agricultural marketing tool is available to farmers. A futures agricultural option is much like an insurance policy. It is a marketing alternative that gives farmers insurance against unfavorable price moves, but allows producers to take advantage of favorable price moves. To better understand terms used in this paper, please see NebGuide G85-768, Basic Terminology For Understanding Grain Options.

G85-762 Soybean Yield Loss Due To Hail Damage, Charles A. Shapiro, T.A. Peterson, A.D. Flowerday

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses the methods used by the hail insurance industry to assess yield loss due to hail damage in soybeans. A hailstorm can cause yield losses in soybeans ranging from slight to total destruction of the crop. Extensive research has been conducted to accurately predict the effects of hail damage on soybean yields. Results from these studies are used by hail insurance companies to assess yield losses and consequent adjustment made to clients. The information in this NebGuide should be valuable to producers facing replant decisions, and may also be useful in cases of insect damage. Yield loss predictions …

G84-702 Root And Soil Analayses For Nematodes In Corn, David S. Wysong, Eric D. Kerr

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes how to interpret laboratory results of samples submitted for nematode analysis and discusses ten species that are potentially damaging to corn.

Several kinds of plant parasitic nematodes (small, soil-inhabiting roundworms) are associated with root injury, poor plant color, stunted growth, and reduced grain yields in field corn. Symptoms caused by these pests are often confused with root rot diseases, nutritional deficiencies or climatic stresses. Special laboratory analyses are, therefore, necessary to determine if nematodes are the primary cause of reduced corn performance. Since corn growers may be unfamiliar with nematode diseases, the following discussion of laboratory reports …

G84-711 Managing The Home Goose Breeder Flock, Earl W. Gleaves

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide provides basic information on breed selection, sexing, housing and equipment needed, feeding, breeding, egg care and incubation for the home goose flock.

The goose has been almost completely ignored in the rapid technical developments that have occurred in other parts of the poultry industry in the past 25 years. Experimental work with the domestic goose has been very limited. This means that management recommendations that are pertinent today may not be in the future.

G84-713 Brooding And Rearing The Home Goose Flock, Earl W. Gleaves

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses brooding and rearing small geese flocks, including feeding from starter to growing and finishing on pasture, and slaughter, cleaning and processing procedures.

Goose growers in general have not been caught up in the ultra- efficient feed utilization trends that have developed in other parts of the poultry meat industry. This may be due to of the fact that the geese are good foragers. Understandably, growers have concluded that a considerable saving in prepared feeds can be achieved by rearing the birds on pasture. Even without special foods, the goose is more rapid growing than other domestic species …

G84-694 New Protein Values For Ingredients Used In Growing Cattle Rations, Rick Stock, Terry L. Mader, Terry Klopfenstein

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide assigns new protein values to feeds and describes two new systems for evaluating supplemental protein sources. Information about protein sources has changed greatly in the last 10 years. Words like "bypass," "escape," or "slowly degraded" have been used to describe some proteins. These terms have the same meaning and refer to a protein source's ability to escape breakdown in the rumen. Ingredient tables usually only list the crude protein content of feeds. Although this has been a useful system, it does not adequately evaluate supplemental protein sources. Digestible protein values have helped describe some forages, but can be …

G84-723 Maximizing The Use Of Farm Strip Plots, John Havlin, Roger Wesley Elmore

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Strip plots are an effective means of comparing soil and crop management practices. Guidelines are given for establishing strip plots and evaluating the results. Farmers, extension and industry personnel, and researchers have a common interest in strip plots set out on farm fields to study various soil and crop management practices. Strip plots or tests are usually designed to compare differences between tillage methods, herbicide treatments, varieties, fertilizer sources or rates, methods of chemical application, and many other crop production inputs. Strip tests established in farmer fields could satisfy wider interests, and conceivably yield more useful information, if the planners …

G84-686 Irrigating Dry Beans (Revised September 1984), C. Dean Yonts, David S. Nuland

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes furrow and center pivot irrigation techniques and practices that will be helpful to both new and experienced dry bean growers.

Traditionally, dry bean production in Nebraska has been on irrigationd lands in the North Platte River Valley of the Panhandle. However, production acreage is expanding into new areas, north, south, and east from the North Platte Valley.

Bulletin Ma 20 - Sheep Yard Plans - Flocks Up To 500, D. Bicknell

Animal production and livestock published reports

Manjimup Regional Office

Owners of small flocks often use much more labour per sheep than do owners of large flocks. Most of the difference in labour use is the design of sheep sheds and sheep yards, and a smaller affect from the mob size and experience in handling sheep.

This booklet gives some detail on design and construction of yards and a number of yard plans to handle up to 500 or so sheep. Many of the plans are from an Australian Wool Corporation publicatiot1 "Wool Harvesting Notes".

G83-673 Maturity Dates And Freeze Risks Based On Growing Degree Days, Ralph E. Neild, D. T. Smith

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Explanation of growing degree days (GDD) necessary for crop maturity and tables showing estimated maturity dates and freeze risks for different GDD accumulations for different planting times in regions of Nebraska.

The concept of growing degree days (GDD) resulted from observations that:

There is a base temperature below which plants do not grow.

The rate of growth increases with temperature above this base.

Crop hybrids require different GDD accumulations to reach maturity.

G83-683 Quality Concrete For Swine Facilities, David P. Shelton, Gerald R. Bodman, Thomas A. Silletto

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses the major items to consider when using concrete for swine facilities to help assure that quality concrete is obtained.

Concrete is widely used to construct swine production facilities. Versatility, durability, and relatively low cost are characteristics that make it ideally suited for floors, walls, foundations, pen dividers, and manure storage structures. With appropriate design, concrete can even be used for the building roof and feeders. There are, however, certain major items to consider to help assure quality concrete and years of reliable service regardless of the specific use.

G83-665 Hemp Dogbane, John D. Furrer, Alex R. Martin, Fred W. Roeth

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes hemp dogbane, including how it spreads, and provides recommendations for cultural and chemical control. Hemp dogbane is a perennial broadleaf weed native to North America. In Nebraska it is most prevalent in the eastern and central areas, but is occasionally found throughout the state.