The July 21 CropWatch has been posted to the Web.. You’ll also want to check out the daily updates of GDD and ET data for irrigation scheduling as well as precipitation data (available in maps and tables) on the CropWatch Weather page.

If you’re looking for ways to save energy costs and use available water more efficiently, check out several upcoming Extension programs:

• The Great Plains Conference on Improving Crop Water Productivity which will be held Aug. 17 in North Platte, and
• the Irrigation and Energy Conservation Field Day which will be held Sept. 6 at UNL’s Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead. Both will offer valuable information on ways to save water, energy, and money.

This week in CropWatch:

• How high temperatures, stress affect corn pollination
• Phytophthora root and stem rot showing up in many soybean fields
• Corn blotch leafminers in southcentral Nebraska
• Conditions optimal for spider mite development in corn, soybean
• NDA takes note of decrease in wellhead protection
• Nebraska custom farm rate changes from 2004 to 2006
• Genetically engineered crops the norm in Nebraska: Corn at 76% of all corn acres, soybean at 90% of all soybean acres
• In-season application of liquid manure
• Hydrate and stay cool to avoid heat illnesses
• Caring for farm animals in extreme heat
• High Plains Ag Lab Field Day Aug. 8
• Irrigation and Energy Conservation Field Day Sept. 6
• Great Plains Conference on Improving Crop Water Productivity Aug. 17
• Western Nebraska crop tours
• Field updates from across the state
• Crop condition report
• CRP acres released for emergency grazing
• Market Journal: Tips for using low-quality forages
• Tax deferrals available to compensate for early cattle sales due to drought
• U.S. cattle inventory up 1%
• Nebraska cattle on feed up 9%