Crop Management

From identifying crop problems to turning years of field data into management guidance, artificial intelligence is moving closer to the decisions producers make every day. University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) researchers want to know how producers and future agricultural professionals view this changing role.

Water is the first thing that limits a soybean crop in Nebraska, whether you farm dryland or irrigate. So when a product promises to hold more water in the root zone and carry the crop through dry stretches, it’s worth a hard look. Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are soil-applied granules and powders that swell and hold many times their weight in water and have been marketed for exactly that job.

Drought can leave producers with non-irrigated corn that is unlikely to produce a profitable grain crop. Before terminating the crop, consider whether it has value as livestock forage. The best option depends on crop stage, expected yield, harvest logistics, herbicide restrictions and nitrate risk. While drought-stressed corn often contains elevated nitrate concentrations, nitrate risk can usually be managed successfully with the right harvest and feeding strategy.

Every management decision has consequences. See how irrigation, nitrogen, marketing and other in-season choices are shaping real corn and soybean competition fields at this year's UNL-TAPS Field Days.

Producers, landowners, agricultural professionals and community members interested in soil health, profitability and resilient farming systems are invited to attend two upcoming field days focused on regenerative agriculture in northeast Nebraska this July.

The 2026 North American Manure Expo that is being planned for Wayne, NE on July 28 through 30 is a trade show and extension program all rolled into one. It includes tours the first day and two days of trade show that also includes live demonstrations and education sessions featuring the latest science and technology related to manure handling and application. Early bird pricing ends June 30, so get your tickets now!

Hay and pasture can be excellent places to use manure nutrients. Forage crops are hungry, they respond well to nitrogen, and they offer flexibility when row crop acres are already planted or conditions aren’t ideal elsewhere. That said, forage stands are less forgiving than bare ground. Unlike corn acres, where manure gets incorporated and everyone moves on with their lives, hay fields tend to remember what you did to them (I remember that rut from last year).

In April 2025, we launched the first version of our mobile irrigation management app, PLAN. At the time of release, we promised that an irrigation scheduling tool would be made available, specifically designed for producers who don't have access to soil moisture probes. We're thrilled to announce that this scheduling feature is now live and ready for use by all Nebraska producers. This CropWatch article provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to help you navigate this new tool within the app.

The Nebraska Mesonet, a critical tool for weather monitoring and data collection across the state, has launched a redesigned, user-friendly website offering real-time weather data. The upgrade comes as the mesonet is growing its network of weather monitoring stations across Nebraska to offer more accurate data.

Our Nebraska Digital Ag Survey indicated that digital dashboards have been adopted by three out of 10 farmers. Digital dashboards are considered decision support tools that can guide farmers in the decision-making process in their operations with the goal of increasing efficiency, productivity and sustainability of their farms. Data-driven decisions are a key goal for digital agriculture. In this article, we are highlighting the Dashboard for Agricultural Water and Nutrient Management (DAWN), developed by a team of universities as part of a USDA NIFA grant.