University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
CROPWATCH
Nebraska farmers now have a new field resource to aid in identifying plant and pest problems in their soybean and corn fields.
The Nebraska Soybean and Corn Pocket Field Guide provides information and photos to help farmers identify problems they may encounter during the growing season. The 380-page pocket-sized production guide was produced by a team of University of Nebraska researchers and Extension faculty, and funded by the Nebraska Soybean Checkoff, Nebraska Corn Board, and the United Soybean Board. Editors were Jim Specht, soybean physiologist/geneticist and University of Nebraska professor emeritus, and Tom Hoegemeyer, corn breeder and UNL adjunct professor of practice.
“The intent of the guide is to help producers make scientifically sound decisions through information and photo galleries of the most common issues and problems they’re likely to encounter,” said Hoegemeyer. “We wanted to make it easy for them to identify the issue and then contact the right people to get help.”
“While there may be a lot of guides used by consultants and professionals,” Specht said, “this one is Nebraska-specific and designed to address farmer issues. It’s a comprehensive resource that’s still small enough to keep in the tractor cab or pickup glove box.”
Color photos and descriptions can help growers identify weeds, diseases, insects, or herbicide damage in the field. When pest problems are encountered, farmers are encouraged to confirm their initial diagnosis with their local Nebraska Extension educator or by sending samples to the UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic.
In addition to pest information, the guide offers information on crop management topics such as crop development stages, soil fertility, climate, and crop water use. Information, worksheets, and tables can aid in calculating seeding rates, calibrating sprayers, determining whether replanting is warranted, and estimating final yields.
NSB Chairman Tony Johanson of Oakland spearheaded the effort to produce the field guide. A master seed advisor for Central Valley Ag, Johanson has used a field guide from Purdue University for several years, but wanted a guide created specifically for Nebraska farmers.
“This is a way to put the University of Nebraska’s leading ag research into farmers’ hands, where it can help them in their fields,” said Johanson. “It’s valuable information specific to conditions faced by farmers in Nebraska.”