Nebraska CropWatch

In this episode Bryce Anderson of DTN joins to talk about the upcoming season. We talk about the demise of La Nina, the status of the Southern Oscillation Index, and how the current phase of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) may be at least partly responsible for the string of warm, dry falls. We took a deep dive into the analog years and how years like 2006 and 2021 may be the best blueprint...

Severe storms possible this evening in southeast Nebraska and a warm to hot day tomorrow. Cooler, wetter weather this weekend, with the best moisture falling in the northeast quadrant of the state. Snow possible in the Sand Hills and Panhandle. Additional moisture likely mid-week, with rain east and snow/wind possible in western and north central Nebraska. Temperatures generally cooler than averag...

In this episode Mike McDonald, farmer in Otoe County and former educator, joins the podcast to talk about his journey from the family farm in Sherman County to his 5-crop rotation farm today. Mike talks about ow a trip to North Dakota in 2011 changed his vision for their farm, the importance of cattle for soil health, his recent experience with biochar and manure, the importance of viewing soil he...

Update on current drought and soil moisture conditions and outlook for the spring and summer.

In the latest episode of the Weather Ready Farms series Jordan Uldrich, a diversified farmer from Fillmore County near Milligan, dropped by the Hardin Hall podcast studio today. We had a great conversation covering several topics in the area of regenerative agriculture and water quality. As Jordan would say in a recent article he wrote, "It's all about water". How we manage our soils and inputs ar...

In this episode I discuss the recent historic cold and why we had it. Then move into the forecast for next week, which is much warmer than it has been and a chance for a little moisture midweek. Then I discuss the prospects for moisture in the first half of March and the possibility of it turning colder again in mid-March. Finish up with a few thoughts on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

In this episode, I discuss the possibility of more snow over the next several days and the brutally cold temperatures next week. A thaw is coming before you know it though. Finish up with some thoughts on the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor.

In this episode Landon Larkin, a young farmer from northern Illinois, recent Northern Illinois University graduate and employee of Farmland Stock Exchange, joins the podcast to talk about his love of farming, how Farmland Stock Exchange is helping keep land ownership in the hands of local farmers, and how its approach allows farmers to take the long view of land use management and become more prof...

The episode starts with some discussion on the possibility southern rust last summer was tied to Hurricane Beryl. Then I move into discussion on why we have been so mild the last week and then delve into the forecast.

In this podcast I discuss the prospects for a mild week ahead, chances for rain and/or snow for parts of the state late next week, and the chance for early February to cold, possibly very cold for parts or all of the state. Also discuss why parts of southwestern Nebraska haven't seen any degradation on the U.S. Drought Monitor even though meaningful precipitation hasn't fallen since before Thanksg...

In this episode, I review 2024 temperatures and precipitation across the state and the signal we are seeing from climate change in those stats. I talk about corn yields and a report issued earlier this week by Corteva's Mark Jeschke. Followed up by a summary of the week's weather, including some snow in the western Panhandle later and cold for all of us for the next several days. Finish up with th...

Brief discussion of 2024 being the warmest on record, recent cold and snowfall (or lack thereof in some places), upcoming cold, and the possibility of a more active pattern opening up later this month into February. I discuss the possibility of drought improvement in the Western Corn Belt this spring and drought getting worse in western Nebraska. Finally I go into the possibility of a hot, dry sum...

In this episode Dr. Tom Hoegemeyer, former CEO Hoegemeyer Seed and professor of practice at UNL, joined today to talk about the history of the Nebraska Soil Health Coalition, the long-term ecological and financial benefits of regenerative agriculture, how much water can be stored in healthy soils, the need for a stronger producer-to-producer network, and the benefits of programs like TAPS that all...

Discussion of #ice and #rain potential in eastern NE tomorrow evening/night. Mild to start to the week before more cold air moves in mid-week. No #drought relief in sight for western sections of NE.

Update on #precipitation and soil moisture, drought improvements, and the possibility of a White Christmas. Then I discussed the probability of a colder than average January-February in the north central U.S., wetter than average spring in the eastern Corn Belt. Finally I discussed the historical precedent of #drought in the summer after a warm, dry fall and why next growing season could be a chal...

#dry and roller coaster temperatures expected across the state in the next week. #Drought and #soilmoisture update.

In this episode of the Weather Ready Farms series, Quentin Connealy joins to talk about changes they are making toward sustainability, including no-till and cover crop adoption, his embrace of technology and process he uses for adopting new technology, and the financial challenges young farmers face getting into farming. We also got a little bit of volleyball chat in.