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This interactive graphic is a result of a project between Nebraska Extension, South Dakota State University Extension and the Northern Plains Climate Hub. Multiple crop industry stakeholders in Nebraska and South Dakota met to discuss the most prominent impacts and management strategies resulting from specific climate scenarios. These are the most significant impacts and strategies discussed, but it is not an exhaustive list of possible impacts, management strategies or climate scenarios. Resources listed are only examples of the many resources available.

Choose your scenario:
Management Strategies
Spring
Hot/Dry
1

Soil moisture decrease

Quick Tips: Reduce seeding rate, irrigate, surface residue, drought-tolerant crop

Resource: Soil Management for Water (UNL)

2

Wind erosion — dust blowing

Quick Tips: Surface residue

Resources: Reduce Wind Erosion (UNL) • The Value of Crop Residue (SDSU)

3

Poor nitrogen utilization

Quick Tips: Split nitrogen applications, in-season nitrogen applications, test soil

Resources: Soil Testing Critical (UNL) • Nutrient Management (UNL) • Nitrogen Additives (SDSU)

4

More field work days available, i.e. more tillage

Quick Tips: Reduce tillage to maintain surface moisture

Resources: Choosing Right Tillage System (UNL) • Tillage and No-Tillage Systems (UNL) • Soil Tillage (SDSU)

5

Insect pressure increases

Quick Tips: Scout, use insecticide

Resource: Insect Management (UNL)

6

Irrigation increase — increased cost, time, and reduced water quantity

Quick Tips: Irrigation efficiency

Resources: Water Management (UNL) • Irrigating Corn (SDSU) • Regulation and Polcies (UNL)

7

Faster crop maturation and stress

Quick Tips: Drought-tolerant crops, residue for cool soil, irrigation

Resources: Drought/Heat Stress in Crops (SDSU) • Impacts of Heat Stress (UNL) • Climate Trend Impacts (UNL)

8

More disease and pests carry over from winter

Quick Tips: Scout early

Resources: Guide for Weed Management (UNL) • Pest Management Guide (SDSU)

9

Early/late weed growth

Quick Tips: Fall herbicide

Resources: Manage Winter Annuals (UNL) • Crops Weed Management (SDSU)

10

Crop water stress on dry land

Quick Tips: Residue cover, reduce seeding rate, alternate crop

Resources: Reduce Need (UNL) • Crop Management in Drought (UNL) • Drought Topics (SDSU)

11

Grasshoppers

Quick Tips: Insecticide, scout

Resources: Grasshopper Control (UNL) • Grasshoppers in SD Crops (SDSU)

12

Herbicide activiation decreases

Quick Tips: Wait for proper spray timing, irrigate

Resources: Weed Control in Dry Conditions (NDSU) • Weed Management (UNL)

Spring
Cold/Dry
1

Freeze damage

Quick Tips: Assess crop for damage, delay planting

Resource: Assess Winter Wheat Damage (UNL)

2

Delayed planting — cold soil

Quick Tips: Shorter-season crop, alternative crop

Resource: Delayed Planting Tips (UNL)

3

Herbicide effectiveness decreases

Quick Tips: Consider alternative weed control, delay for warmer temps

Resources: Cold Temps and Burndown Herbicides (UNL) • Herbicide Use in Cold Weather (NDSU)

4

Irrigation increases

Quick Tips: Monitor irrigation needs

Resource: Estimating Crop ET (UNL)

5

Poor plant stand or variable germination

Quick Tips: Stand count, replant, strip-till

Resource: Assess Stands and Plants (UNL)

6

Delayed cover crop growth

Quick Tips: Terminate early, short-season cash crop

Resource: Cover Crop Termination (UNL)

7

Slow crop development

Quick Tips: Plant shorter-season crop, monitor for harvest issues

Resource: Factors Influencing Cold Stress (UNL)

Spring
Hot/Wet
1

Nutrient loss

Quick Tips: Monitor in-season nitrogen, Split apps, Reduce pre-season nitrogen

Resources: In-Season Nitrogen Management (ISU) • Manage Nitrogen Loss (UNL)

2

Severe weather — insurance decision, crop damage

Quick Tips: Reduce risk by diversification or insurance

Resources: Severe Weather and Climate Tips (ISU) • Cover Crops for Storm Damaged Fields (UNL)

3

Wet soil for field work

Quick Tips: Minimize traffic, adjust tires, use same tracks

Resources: Soil Management and Health (UMN) • Avoiding Compaction (ISU)

4

Weed pressure increase

Quick Tips: Utilize pre-emergent, fall apps

Resources: Weed Control in Wheat (UNL) • Guide for Weed Management (UNL) • Pest Management Guide (SDSU)

5

Rooting depth issues — lodging

Quick Tips: Closely monitor nutrients, plan to harvest lodge-prone fields first

Resources: Strengthen Roots (UNL) • Proper Planting Depth (UNL)

6

Erosion

Quick Tips: Residue, no-till, grassed waterways, cover crops

Resources: Erosion (UNL) • Creative Tillage (SDSU)

7

Saturated soils

Quick Tips: Wait for it to dry, seed treatments, tillage

Resources: Ponding/Flooding and Crop Growth (SDSU) • Wet Fields (UNL) • Plant Growth (UNL)

8

Flooding or ponding

Quick Tips: Drain tile, retire low-land acres

Resources: Ponding/Flooding and Crop Growth (SDSU) • Crops and Floods (UNL) • Drainage Calculators (SDSU)

9

Disease pressure increase

Quick Tips: Utilize resistant varieties/hybrids, scout

Resources: Corn Disease Profile (UNL) • Corn Diseases in South Dakota (SDSU) • Variety Selection (UNL)

10

Grasshopper pressure increase

Quick Tips: Scout for grasshoppers, insecticide control, field borders

Resources: Grasshopper Management (UNL) • Grasshopper Management (SDSU) • Grasshoppers in Crops (SDSU)

Spring
Cold/Wet
1

Nutrient loss

Quick Tips: In-season nitrogen monitoring, split applications

Resources: In-Season Nitrogen Management (ISU) • Manage Nitrogen Loss (UNL)

2

Rooting depth problems — lodging

Quick Tips: Replant or select better crop variety, harvest lodge-prone fields first

Resource: Lodging Issues (ISU)

3

Poor seed germination

Quick Tips: Stand count, replant

Resources: Uniform Emergence (Purdue) • Thin Soybean Stands (Purdue)

4

Delayed planting

Quick Tips: Wait for warmer temps, plant cold-tolerant or short-season crop

Resources: Cold Soil Planting (UNL) • Planting Delay Tips (UNL) • Early Season Cold Stress (ISU)

5

Shorter growing season

Quick Tips: Shorter-season crop, diversify

Resources: Relative Maturities (MSU) • Soybean Variety Importance (UNL)

6

Fewer field work days

Quick Tips: Larger or more equipment, hire custom operator, shorter-season crop

Resource: Field Work Days and Machinery Capacity (UM)

7

Bad attitude and stress (mental health)

Quick Tips: Exercise, tell a joke

Resource: Production Agriculture and Stress (eXtension)

8

Herbicide seedling injury

Quick Tips: Wait for warmer temperatures, scout for injury

Resources: Cold Temperatures and Herbicide (UMN) • Early Season Soybean Damage (OSU)

9

Slower crop canopy (weeds)

Quick Tips: Plant narrower rows, early weed control

Resources: Row Spacing and Seeding Rate (UNL) • Best Row Spacing (ISU)

10

Poor herbicide effectiveness

Quick Tips: Monitor application, apply in warmer temperatures

Resources: Low Temps and Herbicide (UNL) • Herbicide Use in Cold Weather (NDSU)

11

Erosion increases

Quick Tips: Residue, cover crops, no-till, enhance soil qualities

Resources: Build Resilient Soil (UNL) • Reducing Soil Erosion (ISU)

12

Disease increases

Quick Tips: Scout, seed treatments

Resource: Corn Disease Profiles (UNL)

Summer
Hot/Dry
1

Soil moisture decrease

Quick Tips: Reduce seeding rate, irrigate, surface residue, drought-tolerant crop

Resource: Soil Management for Water (UNL)

2

Wind erosion — dust blowing

Quick Tips: Surface residue

Resources: Reduce Wind Erosion (UNL) • The Value of Crop Residue (SDSU)

3

Poor nitrogen utilization

Quick Tips: Split nitrogen applications, in-season nitrogen applications, test soil

Resources: Soil Testing Critical (UNL) • Nutrient Management (UNL) • Nitrogen Additives (SDSU)

4

Poor grainfill — head doesn't fill

Quick Tips: Silage or alternate place for grain

Resource: Effects of Stress During Grain Fill (Purdue)

5

Pollination and crop reproduction issues

Quick Tips: Adjust maturation timing, hybrid

Resource: Heat and Corn Pollination (UNL)

6

Faster crop maturation and stress

Quick Tips: Drought-tolerant crops, residue for cool soil, irrigation

Resources: Drought/Heat Stress in Crops (SDSU) • Impacts of Heat Stress (UNL) • Climate Trend Impacts (UNL)

7

Spider mites

Quick Tips: Insecticide, scout

Resources: Manage Spider Mites (UNL) • Spider Mites in Corn and Soybeans (SDSU)

8

Insect pressure increases

Quick Tips: Insecticide, scout

Resource: Insect Management (UNL)

9

Irrigation increase — increased cost, time, and reduced water quantity

Quick Tips: Irrigation efficiency

Resources: Water Management (UNL) • Irrigating Corn (SDSU) • Regulation and Polcies (UNL)

10

Grasshoppers

Quick Tips: Insecticide, scout

Resources: Grasshopper Control (UNL) • Grasshoppers in SD Crops (SDSU)

11

Herbicide activation decreases

Quick Tips: Wait for proper spray timing, irrigate

Resources: Weed Control in Dry Conditions (NDSU) • Weed Management (UNL)

12

Crop water stress on dry land

Quick Tips: Residue cover, reduce seeding rate, alternate crop

Resources: Reduce Need (UNL) • Crop Management in Drought (UNL) • Drought Topics (SDSU)

Summer
Cold/Dry
1

Slower crop canopy leads to more weeds

Quick Tips: Narrow rows

Resources: Row Spacing and Seeding Rate (UNL) • Best Row Spacing (ISU)

2

Herbicide effectiveness decreases

Quick Tips: Consider alternative weed control, delay for warmer temps

Resources: Cold Temps and Burndown Herbicides (UNL) • Herbicide Use in Cold Weather (NDSU)

3

Soybean aphids increase

Quick Tips: Scout pest and beneficials, use insecticide

Resources: Soybean Aphid Management (UNL) • Insecticide-Resistant Soybean Aphids (SDSU) • Soybean Aphids (SDSU)

4

Slow crop development

Quick Tips: Plant shorter-season crop, monitor for harvest issues

Resource: Factors Influencing Cold Stress (UNL)

5

Irrigation increases

Quick Tips: Monitor irrigation needs

Resource: Estimating Crop ET (UNL)

Summer
Hot/Wet
1

Nutrient loss

Quick Tips: Monitor in-season nitrogen, split apps, reduce pre-season nitrogen

Resources: In-Season Nitrogen Management (ISU) • Manage Nitrogen Loss (UNL)

2

Severe weather — insurance decision, crop damage

Quick Tips: Reduce risk by diversification or insurance

Resources: Severe Weather and Climate Tips (ISU) • Cover Crops for Storm Damaged Fields (UNL)

3

Grain quality decreased and storage issues

Quick Tips: Monitor stored grain, plan for drying

Resource: Grain Drying (NDSU)

4

Rooting depth issues — lodging

Quick Tips: Harvest lodge-prone fields first

Resources: Strengthen Roots (UNL) • Proper Planting Depth (UNL)

5

Erosion

Quick Tips: Residue, no-till, grassed waterways, cover crops

Resources: Erosion (UNL) • Creative Tillage (SDSU)

6

Saturated soils

Quick Tips: Wait for it to dry, seed treatments, tillage

Resources: Ponding/Flooding and Crop Growth (SDSU) • Wet Fields (UNL) • Plant Growth (UNL)

7

Flooding or ponding

Quick Tips: Drain tile, retire low-land acres

Resources: Ponding/Flooding and Crop Growth (SDSU) • Crops and Floods (UNL) • Drainage Calculators (SDSU)

8

Disease pressure increase

Quick Tips: Utilize resistant varieties/hybrids, scout

Resources: Corn Disease Profile (UNL) • Corn Diseases in South Dakota (SDSU) • Variety Selection (UNL)

9

Wet soil for field work

Quick Tips: Minimize traffic, adjust tires, use same tracks

Resources: Soil Management and Health (UMN) • Avoiding Compaction (ISU)

Summer
Cold/Wet
1

Nutrient loss

Quick Tips: Monitor in-season nitrogen, split apps, reduce pre-season nitrogen

Resources: In-Season Nitrogen Management (ISU) • Manage Nitrogen Loss (UNL)

2

Rooting depth problems — lodging

Quick Tips: Replant or select better crop variety, harvest lodge-prone fields first

Resource: Lodging Issues (ISU)

3

Fewer field work days

Quick Tips: Larger or more equipment, hire custom operator, shorter-season crop

Resource: Field Work Days and Machinery Capacity (UM)

4

Delayed harvest (slow crop development)

Quick Tips: Scout fields for issues, use grain dryer, hire custom harvester

Resources: Actions for Delayed Harvest (RMA) • Challenging Harvest Resources (Purdue) • Seeding Rates (UNL)

5

Slower crop canopy (weeds)

Quick Tips: Plant narrower rows, early weed control

Resources: Row Spacing and Seeding Rate (UNL) • Best Row Spacing (ISU)

6

Erosion increases

Quick Tips: Residue, cover crops, no-till, enhance soil qualities

Resources: Build Resilient Soil (UNL) • Reducing Soil Erosion (ISU)

7

Disease increases

Quick Tips: Scout, seed treatments

Resource: Corn Disease Profiles (UNL)

Fall
Hot/Dry
1

Soil moisture decrease

Quick Tips: Reduce seeding rate, irrigate, surface residue, drought-tolerant crop

Resource: Soil Management for Water (UNL)

2

Wind erosion — dust blowing

Quick Tips: Surface residue

Resources: Reduce Wind Erosion (UNL) • The Value of Crop Residue (SDSU)

3

More field work days available, i.e. more tillage

Quick Tips: Reduce tillage to maintain surface moisture

Resources: Choosing Right Tillage System (UNL) • Tillage and No-Tillage Systems (UNL) • Soil Tillage (SDSU)

4

Combine fires

Quick Tips: Fire extinguisher, keep combine clean and properly maintained

Resources: Fire Safety at Harvest (UNL) • Fire Prevention at Harvest (ISU)

5

Fall anhydrous challenges

Quick Tips: Split applications, hire company to fertilize

Resources: Nitrogen Application Timing (UNL) • Nitrogen Considerations (ISU)

6

Poor grainfill — head doesn't fill

Quick Tips: Silage or alternate place for grain

Resource: Effects of Stress During Grain Fill (Purdue)

7

Faster crop maturation and stress

Quick Tips: Drought-tolerant crops, residue for cool soil, irrigation

Resources: Drought/Heat Stress in Crops (SDSU) • Impacts of Heat Stress (UNL) • Climate Trend Impacts (UNL)

8

Grasshoppers

Quick Tips: Insecticide, scout

Resources: Grasshopper Control (UNL) • Grasshoppers in SD Crops (SDSU)

9

Early/late weed growth

Quick Tips: Fall herbicide

Resources: Manage Winter Annuals (UNL) • Crops Weed Management (SDSU)

10

Wheat emergence issues

Quick Tips: Irrigate, stand count, plant deeper, wait for rain

Resources: Planting Wheat In Dry Soils (UNL) • Wheat Resources (SDSU)

11

Wheat diseases — rust overwintering

Quick Tips: Scout, proper seeding date, resistant varieties

Resources: Wheat Disease (UNL) • Fall Strategies for Wheat Disease (UNL) • Wheat Resources (SDSU)

12

Grain toxins increase

Quick Tips: Scout, proper seeding date, resistant varieties

Resources: Grain Quality/Handling Issues (ISU) • Mycotoxins (ISU)

Fall
Cold/Dry
1

Herbicide effectiveness decreases

Quick Tips: Consider alternative weed control, delay for warmer temps

Resources: Cold Temps and Burndown Herbicides (UNL) • Herbicide Use in Cold Weather (NDSU)

2

Grain moisture increases

Quick Tips: Plan for drying costs, check and test grain

Resource: Grain Moisture Management (NDSU)

3

Delayed cover crop growth

Quick Tips: Terminate early, short-season cash crop

Resource: Cover Crops (UNL)

4

Slow cover crop growth

Quick Tips: Plant cold-hardy varieties, irrigate

Resource: Cover Crop Termination (UNL)

Fall
Hot/Wet
1

Extra residue from high corn yield

Quick Tips: Graze, bale residue, process residue during harvest

Resource: Managing Residue (UNL)

2

Wet soil for field work

Quick Tips: Minimize traffic, adjust tires, use same tracks

Resources: Soil Management and Health (UMN) • Avoiding Compaction (ISU)

3

Grain quality decreased and storage issues

Quick Tips: Monitor stored grain, plan for drying

Resource: Grain Drying (NDSU)

4

Erosion

Quick Tips: Residue, no-till, grassed waterways, cover crops

Resources: Erosion (UNL) • Creative Tillage (SDSU)

5

Saturated soils

Quick Tips: Wait for it to dry, seed treatments, tillage

Resources: Ponding/Flooding and Crop Growth (SDSU) • Wet Fields (UNL) • Plant Growth (UNL)

6

Flooding or ponding

Quick Tips: Drain tile, retire low-land acres

Resources: Ponding/Flooding and Crop Growth (SDSU) • Crops and Floods (UNL) • Drainage Calculators (SDSU)

7

Weed pressure increase

Quick Tips: Utilize pre-emergent, fall apps

Resources: Weed Control in Wheat (UNL) • Guide for Weed Management (UNL) • Pest Management Guide (SDSU)

Fall
Cold/Wet
1

Shorter growing season

Quick Tips: Shorter-season crop, diversify

Resources: Relative Maturities (MSU) • Soybean Variety Importance (UNL)

2

Delayed harvest (slow crop development)

Quick Tips: Scout fields for issues, use grain dryer, hire custom harvester

Resources: Actions for Delayed Harvest (RMA) • Challenging Harvest Resources (Purdue) • Seeding Rates (UNL)

3

Bad attitude and stress (mental health)

Quick Tips: Exercise, tell a joke

Resource: Production Agriculture and Stress (eXtension)

4

Fewer field work days

Quick Tips: Larger or more equipment, hire custom operator, shorter-season crop

Resource: Field Work Days and Machinery Capacity (UM)

5

Torn-up fields and compaction

Quick Tips: Wait for dry conditions, reduce trips in field, adjust equipment

Resources: Wet Soils and Compaction (ISU) • Avoiding Soil Compaction (PSU)

6

Erosion

Quick Tips: Residue, cover crops, no-till, enhance soil qualities

Resources: Build Resilient Soil (UNL) • Reducing Soil Erosion (ISU)

7

Disease increases

Quick Tips: Scout, seed treatments

Resource: Corn Disease Profiles (UNL)

Winter
Hot/Dry
1

Soil moisture decrease

Quick Tips: Maintain surface residue

Resource: Soil Management for Water (UNL)

2

Wind erosion — dust blowing

Quick Tips: Surface residue

Resources: Reduce Wind Erosion (UNL) • The Value of Crop Residue (SDSU)

3

More field work days available, i.e. more tillage

Quick Tips: Reduce tillage to maintain surface moisture

Resources: Choosing Right Tillage System (UNL) • Tillage and No-Tillage Systems (UNL) • Soil Tillage (SDSU)

4

More disease and pests carry over through winter

Quick Tips: Scout early

Resources: Guide for Weed Management (UNL) • Pest Management Guide (SDSU)

5

Early/late weed growth

Quick Tips: Scout, utilized herbicides

Resources: Manage Winter Annuals (UNL) • Crops Weed Management (SDSU)

6

Winter kill in wheat — dead spots

Quick Tips: Scout fields for damage, consider spring-planted crop

Resources: Monitoring Winter Wheat (UNL)

7

Insect pressure increases

Quick Tips: Scout, use insecticide

Resources: Insect Management (UNL)

Winter
Cold/Dry
1

Winter kill in wheat

Quick Tips: Scout fields for damage, consider spring-planted crop

Resources: Freeze Injury to Wheat (UNL) • Check Alfalfa for Winter Injury (UNL)

Winter
Hot/Wet
1

Thawed soil

Quick Tips: Reduce field work, spread manure when frozen

Resource: Minimize Winter Manure Spreading Impacts (MSU)

2

Wet soil for field work

Quick Tips: Minimize traffic, adjust tires, use same tracks

Resources: Soil Management and Health (UMN) • Avoiding Compaction (ISU)

3

Erosion

Quick Tips: Residue, no-till, grassed waterways, cover crops

Resources: Erosion (UNL) • Creative Tillage (SDSU)

4

Flooding or ponding

Quick Tips: Drain tile, retire low-land acres

Resources: Ponding/Flooding and Crop Growth (SDSU) • Crops and Floods (UNL) • Drainage Calculators (SDSU)

Winter
Cold/Wet
1

Fewer field work days

Quick Tips: Larger or more equipment, hire custom operator

Resource: Field Work Days and Machinery Capacity (UM)

2

Erosion

Quick Tips: Residue, cover crops, no-till, enhance soil qualities

Resources: Build Resilient Soil (UNL) • Reducing Soil Erosion (ISU)