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Crop Progress: Nebraska Crops Steady Despite Lingering Moisture Deficits

While scattered rainfall brought some relief to parts of Nebraska, most row crops remain in the early stages of reproductive development. Corn and soybean progress continues slightly behind average, and producers are closely monitoring fields as July heat sets in. Winter wheat harvest is progressing steadily in southern areas, and pasture conditions reflect both regional drought pressure and recent moisture improvements. According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, there were 4.9 days suitable for fieldwork in Nebraska during the week ending July 7, 2025.

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 5% very short, 25% short, 63% adequate and 7% surplus. Subsoil moisture rated 10% very short, 33% short, 54% adequate and 3% surplus.

Source : unl.edu

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Designing a Robotic Berry Picker

Video: Designing a Robotic Berry Picker


Since blackberries must be harvested by hand, the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive. To support a growing blackberry industry in Arkansas, food science associate professor Renee Threlfall is collaborating with mechanical engineering assistant professor Anthony Gunderman to develop a mechanical harvesting system. Most recently, the team designed a device to measure the force needed to pick a blackberry without damaging it. The data from this device will help inform the next stage of development and move the team closer to the goal of a fully autonomous robotic berry picker. The device was developed by Gunderman, with Yue Chen, a former U of A professor now at Georgia Tech, and Jeremy Collins, then a U of A undergraduate engineering student. To determine the force needed to pick blackberries without damage, the engineers worked with Threlfall and Andrea Myers, then a graduate student.