University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Extension Publications

Know how. Know now.

Crop Production/Field Crops


CONSERVATION & MANAGEMENT


10 Easy Ways to Boost Profit $20/Acre, EC196
A compilation of 22 fact sheets, each of which describes how a change in farming practice can increase profits by a minimum of $2 per practice. Topics range from management strategies for inputs and pests to tillage and irrigation.

Harvesting Crop Residues, G1846
Issues of crop residue harvest, including nutrient removal and effects on erosion, soil quality, water loss, and yield are discussed in this NebGuide.


CORN


Corn Supply and Utilization in the United States, 2000-2004, RB347
The supply and utilization of corn in the U.S. at the state level is estimated taking into account animal feeding, food, industrial and seed use, stock holding and exports. Net surplus and deficit state-level data are summarized.

Fertilizer Suggestions For Corn, G174
Fertilizer nutrient requirements for corn are based on expected yield and nutrient levels in the soil.

Irrigation Management for Corn, G1850
This NebGuide discusses corn irrigation management strategy options and objectives.

Recommended Seeding Rates and Hybrid Selection for Rainfed (Dryland) Corn in Nebraska, G1528
This NebGuide provides information useful in assessing accumulated growing degree days, soil type and field conditions, average precipitation, and the field's microclimate when determining seeding rate for dryland corn.

Setting a Realistic Corn Yield Goal, G481
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.

The Use and Pricing of Drought-Stressed Corn, G1865
How to identify drought stress in corn, estimate potential yield, select for forage or grain harvest, and establish prices. Details four forage options and the potential for nitrate poisoning.

Using Corn Hybrid Yield Data to Improve Selection of Rapidly Changing Hybrids, G1521
Choosing the proper hybrid can greatly enhance crop production profitability. This NebGuide illustrates how to use corn hybrid test data and adjust it to your farm when selecting seed.


CROPPING PRACTICES


Applications of Remote Sensing in Site-Specific Management: Precision Agriculture, EC702
Remote sensing is another tool the precision agriculture specialist uses to collect data. This EC talks about aerial, satellite, imagery data sources, and other elements.

Choosing the Right Tillage System for Row Crop Production, G1516
Systematically consider 19 criteria, in addition to the cost of conversion, in choosing a tillage system for your farming operation.

Ecofarming: Spring Row Crop Planting and Weed Control in Winter Wheat Stubble, G551
Weed control, stubble management and planters for planting in winter wheat stubble.

Farmer Research: Project Initiation and Implementation, G1556
Recommendations for forming farmer research groups for conventional or alternative agriculture, including guidelines for involving and project development.

Getting Started in Ecofarming: Growing the Winter Wheat Crop, G1009
Cultural practices can improve the weed competitiveness of winter wheat in an ecofallow program, thus increasing the effectiveness of herbicides.

How to Spray a Field to Prevent Overlap and Reduce Drift Injury, G1570
Proper spraying techniques for various situations are outlined and illustrated.

Managing Corn and Sorghum Residues During the Pre-Winter Wheat Fallow Period, G1648
This NebGuide explains how to maintain an appropriate residue cover with ecofarming in the pre-winter wheat fallow period to reduce soil erosion and conserve soil moisture.

Multiple-Year Droughts in Nebraska, G1551
This NebGuide discusses the history and impact of drought in Nebraska.

On-the-Go Vehicle-Based Soil Sensors, EC178
Sensors can measure a variety of essential soil properties. These sensors can be used to control variable rate application equipment in real-time or in conjunction with a Global Posititioning System to generate field maps of particular soil properties. This publication is one in a series on precision agriculture and reviews the most promising soil sensor approaches and presents an overview of some.

Ridge Plant Systems: Weed Control, G1762
Advantages and disadvantages of the ridge plant system, weed control before and at planting, and economics of the system are discussed in this NebGuide.

Satellite-Based Auto-Guidance, EC706
Satellite-based auto-guidance systems can provide significant benefits for the crop production industry. Improved equipment make it possible to use satellite-based auto guidance in diverse growing environments.

Site-Specific Management of Soil pH (FAQ), EC705
Soil pH is a precision agriculture practice that can provide positive economic and environmental impacts. Questions related to the meaning of soil pH, lime requirement and quality of data used to prescribe site-specific management of soil pH are addressed. This publication is part of a series on precision agriculture.

Site-Specific Nitrogen Management for Irrigated Corn, EC163
Describes several approaches to site-specific nitrogen management including data collection, soil sampling and nitrogen recommendations as well as a history and economic analysis of the practice.

Soil Sampling for Precision Agriculture, EC154
This EC provides direction on how to implement a soil sampling program for precision agriculture. This is one in a series on precision agriculture.

Untangling the GPS Data String, EC157
This EC illustrates a way to convert GPS receiver output into linear units for georeferenced data analysis. This is one is a series on precision agriculture.

Using Starter Fertilizers for Corn, Grain Sorghum and Soybeans, G361
Starter fertilizer may increase early growth of corn and gain sorghum, but increased early growth often does not translate to increased grain yield. Starter fertilizer may be of the most benefit under reduced tillage, on irrigated sandy soils and on high pH soils.

Weed Targeting Herbicide Management: Precision Agriculture, EC708
Site-specific weed management and herbicide application is an effective way to minimize herbicide costs, maximize weed control and prevent unnecessary environmental waste. This publication, part of the precision agriculture series, explains basic principles of site-specific weed control.


DRY BEANS


Fertilizer Management for Dry Edible Beans, G1713
Soil sampling and proper nitrogen fertilization of dry beans will help producers obtain consistent top yields.


MISCELLANEOUS CROPS


Bee Pollination of Cucurbit Crops, G1754
Factors influencing bee pollination and the yield and quality of melons,squash, pumpkins and cucumbers, along with other cucurbit crops, are discussed in this NebGuide.

Fertilizer Management for Alfalfa, G1598
This NebGuide discusses adequate soil fertility in alfalfa production on dryland and irrigated soils.

Fertilizing Proso Millet, G924
Soil testing and fertilization of proso millet with nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other nutrients is discussed.

Fertilizing Sugarbeet, g1459
Soil testing and calculating recommended rates for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and micronutrient fertilizers for sugarbeet.

Growing Safflower in Nebraska, G1702
This NebGuide provides information on the production and marketing of safflower in Nebraska.

Pea Production in the High Plains, EC187
Discussion of pea biology, various varieties, production, pest management, harvesting, marketing and factors to consider when producing peas commercially in the High Plains.

Planting and Harvesting Information for Nebraska Crops, G1757
Information on the normal practices of planting and harvesting crops grown in Nebraska are provided in this publication.

Producing and Marketing Proso Millet in the Great Plains, EC137
Learn more about the planting, growing, management and marketing of proso millet in this 20-page Extension circular. It is available from your local extension office or online at a cost of $3.50.

Weights and Measures for Horticultural Crops , G1640
Provides common units of sale, weight, yield and other measurements for growers selling vegetables and fruits through direct marketing outlets.

What is Genetic Engineering and How Does It Work?, NF591
Describes the basic principles of genetic engineering, particularly as relevant to crops.


SMALL GRAINS


Fall Seed Guide 2007, EC103
UNL crop variety test results from 2006 for winter wheat, triticale grain, barley, alfalfa and grasses. This publication is not available on the Web, but can be ordered from UNL or from local Extension offices. Variety trial results are also available on the UNL Variety Testing Web site.


SORGHUM


Fertilizer Suggestions for Grain Sorghum, G1669
Fertilizer nutrient needs for grain sorghum are based on expected yield, nutrient levels in the soil and fertilizer-nitrogen costs.


SOYBEAN


Fertilizer Recommendations For Soybeans, G859
This guide provides recommendations on how to manage soil fertility with fertilizer and lime application to optimize the profitability of soybean production.

Irrigating Soybean, G1367
Proper irrigation management is critical to optimize both yields and irrigation water resources. Irrigated soybean production in Nebraska encompasses a region with diverse soils and climate and different irrigation management strategies. This NebGuide details irrigation

Soybean Inoculation: Applying the Facts to Your Fields, G1622
This NebGuide details research conducted in Nebraska on soybean inoculants and provides a method and worksheet to determine if inoculation is needed in a specific field. This is part two of a two-part series.

Soybean Inoculation: Understanding the Soil and Plant Mechanisms Involved, G1621
This NebGuide explains how soybean inoculation occurs and which environmental conditions impact nitrogen fixation. Part one of a two-part series.

Soybean Seeding Rates, G1395
Recommended soybean seeding rates, stand assessment and replanting rates based on Nebraska field research are addressed in this NebGuide.

Using Soybean Yield Data to Improve Variety Selection -- Part I, G1546
Discusses the plant trait information normally provided in variety descriptions and how producers can use it to select seed. A companion NebGuide, G1547, guides the reader through a process for using variety trial data to select the best varieties for a given farm situation.

Using Soybean Yield Data to Improve Variety Selection -- Part II, G1547
This NebGuide describes a selection process which systematically compares soybean yields and traits to arrive at a group of varieties that is both diverse and well suited to a particular operation. A companion NebGuide, G1546, describes the traits used in these comparisons in more detail.


SUGARBEET


False Root-Knot Nematode, G1857
False root-knot nematode. Nacobbus aberrans, is primarily an economic problem of sugar beet, although it can infect other plants. Economic hosts include broccoli, cabbage, rutabaga, radish, turnip, pumpkin and cucumber.This NebGuide provides more information on this disease, including symptoms and signs, history and management.

Sugarbeet Production Guide, EC156
Comprehensive 220-page guide on sugarbeet seed selection, planting and nutrient management; major pests and treatments; plant growth and management practices to optimize sugar production; and tillage and irrigation equipment, planters and harvesters. To order a printed copy.


WHEAT


Estimating Winter Wheat Grain Yields , G1429
This NebGuide discusses three methods of estimating winter wheat yield.

Fall Seed Guide 2007, EC103
UNL crop variety test results from 2006 for winter wheat, triticale grain, barley, alfalfa and grasses. This publication is not available on the Web, but can be ordered from UNL or from local Extension offices. Variety trial results are also available on the UNL Variety Testing Web site.

Fertilizing Winter Wheat I: Nitrogen, Potassium, and Micronutrients , G1460
Soil testing, recommended rates, and timing for fertilizing winter wheat with nitrogen, potassium, and micronutrients.

Fertilizing Winter Wheat II: Phosphorus, G1461
Soil testing and residual phosphorus application in wheat are discussed. Worksheets to calculate the recommended phosphorus rates for various application methods are included.

Freeze Injury to Nebraska Wheat, EC132
Describes temperature conditions that cause winter injury, symptoms of injury at different spring growth stages, and management practices to use when wheat is injured.

Producing Irrigated Winter Wheat, G1455
This NebGuide provides production information for growing winter wheat under irrigation.

Seeding Rates for Winter Wheat in Nebraska, G1543
A review of winter wheat trials in Nebraska shows how widely the number of seeds per pound can vary within and among varieties, leading specialists to recommend a change to planting by seeds per acre rather than seeds per pound.

Using Winter Wheat Yield Data to Improve Variety Selection, EC197
This extension circular describes a method for comparing and selecting various wheat varieties.