Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
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Bob Wright and Jeff Bradshaw Extension Entomologists The risk of grasshopper infestation in Nebraska rangelands will be low in 2022, with slightly higher risk in southwestern Nebraska, based on fall adult surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS). As the accompanying map illustrates, a majority of the western United States is projected to have very low numbers. USDA-APHIS continues to provide us with regular updates on t...
Lincoln — The Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will cover the latest trends in Nebraska cash rental rates, new leasing considerations and more during its Land Management Quarterly webinar at 10 a.m. on Feb. 21. Offered since 2019, the quarterly webinars address common management issues for Nebraska landowners, agricultural operators and related stakeholders interested in the latest insight on trends in real estate, managing agricultural land and solutions for addressing challenges in the upcoming g...
LINCOLN — The next session of “Know Your Numbers, Know Your Options,” Nebraska Extension’s four-part record-keeping course, will be held virtually from 1 to 3 p.m. Central time on March 15, 17, 22 and 24. Participants should plan on attending each of the four workshop dates. The course requires participants to have an internet connection. This course is designed to help farmers and ranchers understand their current financial position and how big decisions like large purchases, new leases or changes in production will affect their bottom...
There is a “healthful,” stimulating kind and level of stress. It’s called eustress. Susan Harris, University of Nebraska Extension Educator in Rural Health, Wellness, and Safety, says eustress assists in rising to a challenge. “For instance, if you have a son or daughter who’s getting married, you will feel stress the day of the wedding,” Harris says. “Your body will produce cortisol, which helps you work through the day. The difference between eustress and stress that can negatively impact our...
Lincoln — Beef feedlot managers, owners, employees and allied industries will learn new information related to feedlot price reporting, health, labor and sustainability at Nebraska Extension's 2022 Beef Feedlot Roundtables Feb. 22-24 in Bridgeport, North Platte and West Point. University representatives will speak on new price reporting and risk production strategies, and economic impact of feedlots and the beef industry in Nebraska. As traditional, a portion of the event will be focused on feedlot cattle health with presentations by u...
The third annual Panhandle Soil Health Workshop sponsored by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center will be an in-person event for ag producers, consultants, and others in the region. The workshop will take place on March 2 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Prairie Winds Community Center in Bridgeport. The event is free, but registration is needed and can be done online. Speakers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (...
The annual University of Nebraska-Lincoln High Plains Ag Lab Research Update and Advisory Board Meeting is scheduled for Feb. 9 at the Western Nebraska Community College campus in Sidney. The latest results from crop and livestock research at HPAL, as well as administrative and business updates, will be shared with the HPAL advisory board and the public. The morning session starts with coffee and doughnuts at 8:30 a.m. at 371 South College Drive. After lunch, the HPAL Advisory Committee will meet. The public is welcome. For more information...
LINCOLN – Beef feedlot managers, owners, employees and allied industries will learn new information related to feedlot price reporting, health, labor and sustainability at Nebraska Extension’s 2022 Beef Feedlot Roundtables Feb. 22-24 in Bridgeport, North Platte and West Point. University representatives will speak on new price reporting and risk production strategies, and economic impact of feedlots and the beef industry in Nebraska. As traditional, a portion of the event will be focused on feedlot cattle health with presentations by uni...
(La Vista, NE) The 64th Nebraska Agri-Business Exposition was held January 25-26, 2022 at the Embassy Suites La Vista Conference Center in La Vista, Nebraska. This day and a half event consisted of educational training on Agricultural Budgeting, Carbon Markets and Nitrogen Stabilizers and a show of vendor exhibits. The association also welcomed Congressman Don Bacon from Nebraska’s Second District to the Directors’ and Industry Awards Reception. The Nebraska Agri-Business Association (NeABA) honored industry leaders at its annual con...
Every time a farmer sidesteps grain-bin entry safety guidelines, they’re rehearsing for a tragedy. With the size of modern bins, the risk of grain entrapment, the leading cause of grain bin related fatalities, has increased over the past 10 years. Identifying grain handling safety principles is one of the aims of Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH). This University of Nebraska Medical Center group (https://www.unmc.edu/publichealth/feedyard/) is conducting two rese...
LINCOLN – “On behalf of the Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB), I want to congratulate Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-3) for being selected to serve as the Ranking Republican Member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade. Given the importance of trade to the financial futures of Nebraska’s farm and ranch families, the selection of Congressman Smith, a long-time proponent of growing international markets and a key agricultural ally in the House, is a win for agriculture and a win for Nebraska.” “Congressman Smith not only understan...
LINCOLN – Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) and Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) – collectively known as “Nebraska Corn” – are crying foul after researchers at Texas A&M University released an economic analysis suggesting pending tariffs on nitrogen fertilizers will create shortages resulting in increased prices for farmers. Nebraska corn farmers have been concerned for several months as fertilizer prices have risen more than 80% for the upcoming growing season compared to 2021. The Texas A&M report validates farmers’ fears that fertilizer com...
LINCOLN – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is continuing an effort to enhance the adoption of soil health practices through the establishment of Soil Health Management Demonstration Projects. Landowners interested in applying for funding to establish a soil health demonstration project should submit their application to NRCS by Feb. 18, 2022. According to NRCS, the purpose of this initiative is to demonstrate and validate soil health management systems applicable across Nebraska. The goal is to sup...
Get out your calendars and mark Wednesday & Thursday, February 16 and 17 as the dates for the annual Farming Evolution event. Whether you look at regenerative agriculture concepts with a wary eye or fully embrace the ideas, this event is for you. This year’s program is packed with farmer/rancher presenters – people with boots on the ground, families to provide for, and bank notes to service. Do you have hard & pointed questions, doubts, and fears? Are you looking for the next new idea? Or do you just want to spend time with other pro...
Galen Wittrock has taken over as the new General Manager for the South Platte NRD (District). Wittrock, who was just honored for 30 years of service to the District, takes over for Rod Horn who stepped down as General Manager on December 31, 2021. Horn, a 35-year employee of the District himself, stated that the time is right for him to step down and that he plans to spend more time with his kids and grandkids. During his time as General Manager, Horn has seen many changes to the South Platte...
LINCOLN – Nebraska’s agricultural economy rebounding this year and the subsequent property tax relief tied to the economy are among the top agriculture stories of 2021, according to Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB). Also making the list is the move to expand broadband, calls for sweeping changes to the cattle markets, and NEFB’s work to halt a proposal that would devastate family farms. “It’s no secret that we’ve seen progress in prices for most commodities over the past year and we know that when Nebraska agriculture does well, our state’s eco...
Finding it difficult to hire and retain great ag employees? Consider attending the Leading Farm and Ranch Employees Virtual Seminar Series to be held in January. Nebraska Extension will host a virtual seminar series in January (Jan. 18, 20, 25 and 27) designed to help agricultural employers learn techniques and leadership practices to help motivate and empower employees. Finding, hiring and retaining quality employees are major challenges for agricultural business in Nebraska. Help-wanted signs are everywhere. Nebraska currently has the lowest...
BATTLE CREEK – Battle Creek no-till farmer and advocate Dan Gillespie sought to leave any land he farmed in better condition than he found it. Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF), in collaboration with Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Society, today announced a new NCF affiliated fund to ensure Gillespie’s philosophy continues to inspire farmers in Nebraska and surrounding states for years to come. The Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund is dedicated to promoting soil health and regenerative agriculture, including but not limited to no-till far...
A two-day workshop this January will provide a hands-on learning experience for producers to learn how to calculate a unit cost of production for a cow-calf operation. Having information to make effective business decisions is important for ranch success. Enterprise analysis and unit cost of production (UCOP) are tools that can help ranchers identify where value is being created on the ranch, where costs are occurring, and what changes could be made to improve profit. The program will take place Jan. 13 and 14 at the University of...
The 2022 private pesticide applicator training dates, times, and locations have been set, with sessions beginning in early January and continuing through early April at sites throughout the Nebraska Panhandle and Sandhills. Notification letters will be sent out by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to applicators whose license will expire in 2022. The cost of the training is $50, payable the day of the training. Private pesticide licenses also can be obtained by completing an online course. Pesticide applicators can purchase access to the...
For more than 20 years the UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center’s Plant Pathology Program has been using a soil index test as a forecasting tool for sugarbeet root rot diseases in Nebraska. A recent conversation revealed that some sugarbeet producers are not aware of this service, so for veteran and newer growers, as well as the public, here is a description of the program. Disease Index The disease index is a pre-plant soil test that was developed and utilized by the plant pathology program at the Panhandle Center. This test is c...
LINCOLN – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced recently that USDA will make up to $800 million available to support biofuel producers and infrastructure. The announcement includes $700 million to provide economic relief to biofuel producers and restore renewable fuel markets affected by the pandemic. The department will make the funds available through the new Biofuel Producer Program authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Additionally, in the coming months, the d...
Des Moines, IA, – Farmmee, the app that connects farmers with farmers when they need help the most, is proving its mettle around the country. The most recent example is straight from the heartland. Tim Sinn runs a 600-head backgrounding operation near Oskaloosa, Kansas. A Kansas native, he moved there six years ago to get back into agriculture after leaving another venture. In addition to cattle, he offers custom farming services throughout the region. He discovered the Farmmee app on Facebook before harvest, signed up and listed the custom s...
LINCOLN – The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is announcing the retirement of State Veterinarian Dr. Dennis Hughes. He started working for NDA in 1990 as a veterinary field officer and became state veterinarian in 2005. Hughes’ last day with NDA will be December 30. “As state veterinarian, Dr. Hughes has been instrumental in keeping Nebraska livestock healthy and the state’s agricultural industry strong,” said NDA Director Steve Wellman. “We want to thank Dr. Hughes for his years in public service and for his leadership at the state an...
The Dry Pea & Lentil Commission will hold its December meeting on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at the West Central Research and Extension Center, 402 W State Farm Rd., North Platte, NE 69101. The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. CST. The meeting will include reviewing financial and check-off compliance reports, a report from USA Dry Pea & Lentil, the consideration of research funding and travel approval. The public is welcome to attend any open portion of the meeting. Interested individuals may contact the NWB office for a copy of the detailed...
