Wheat Disease Update for May 18, 2023

May 19, 2023

By Stephen Wegulo

A survey of wheat fields on May 17 in south-central and southeast Nebraska found no diseases in the fields visited (Figure 1). Dry conditions prevailed in the surveyed fields and wheat plants were only about a foot tall or shorter in the boot or early heading stages. Dry conditions during planting last fall resulted in poor emergence and vigor. As result, winter kill was severe in some fields. Inadequate soil moisture last fall and dry weather this growing season have resulted in a poor wheat crop in dryland fields.

A report from Kansas on May 9 indicated that trace levels of stripe rust had been observed in irrigated fields in the south-central region of the state. However, due to dry weather conditions, the risk of stripe rust was considered to be very low.

Source : unl.edu

Video: A chain harrow is a game changer

Utilizing a rotational grazing method on our farmstead with our sheep helps to let the pasture/paddocks rest. We also just invested in a chain harrow to allow us to drag the paddocks our sheep just left to break up and spread their manure around, dethatch thicker grass areas, and to rough up bare dirt areas to all for a better seed to soil contact if we overseed that paddock. This was our first time really using the chain harrow besides initially testing it out. We are very impressed with the work it did and how and area that was majority dirt, could be roughed up before reseeding.

Did you know we also operate a small business on the homestead. We make homemade, handcrafted soaps, shampoo bars, hair and beard products in addition to offering our pasture raised pork, lamb, and 100% raw honey. You can find out more about our products and ingredients by visiting our website at www.mimiandpoppysplace.com. There you can shop our products and sign up for our monthly newsletter that highlights a soap or ingredient, gives monthly updates about the homestead, and also lists the markets, festivals, and events we’ll be attending that month.