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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Caden McConnell, Potter, Nebraska, is a new junior member of the American Angus Association®, reports Mark McCully, CEO of the national organization with headquarters in Saint Joseph, Missouri. Junior members of the Association are eligible to register cattle in the American Angus Association, participate in programs conducted by the National Junior Angus Association and take part in Association-sponsored shows and other national and regional events. The American Angus Association is the largest beef breed association in the world, with...
Wheat Belt Public Power District and our partners, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Tri-State Generation and Transmission, and Arbor Wealth Management awarded scholarships to five outstanding area students. Our scholarship program is designed to recognize achievements and provide financial assistance to students of our customers. We believe investing in the education of our youth is a shared responsibility and is in the best interest of our communities and businesses. • Peyton Abbot was awarded a $2,000 Wheat Belt Lineman Scholarship. He w...
LINCOLN, NEB. – The Nebraska Farm Bureau is excited to announce the establishment of the Nebraska Ag Legal Professionals Group, a dedicated initiative aimed at assisting farmers and ranchers in estate and succession planning. This innovative group will focus on providing specialized legal counsel to farm and ranch families, ensuring a smooth transition of assets and securing a sustainable future for agricultural legacies. “One of the most discussed topics of conversation with our members has been about farm/ranch estate and succession pla...
Nebraska's Natural Resources Districts have many responsibilities given by state statute, especially in protecting groundwater for use both today and into the future. With this objective in mind, the South Platte Natural Resources District (SPNRD) developed the Ground Water Management Area Rules and Regulations. While most areas of the SPNRD have adequate groundwater, this resource is not unlimited and tracking changes in groundwater quantity and quality is one of the NRD's many...
WASHINGTON – Agricultural producers can now change election and enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2023 crop year, two key safety net programs offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Signup began Monday, and producers have until March 15, 2023, to enroll in these two programs. Additionally, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has started issuing payments totaling more than $255 million to producers with 2021 crops that have triggered payments through ARC or PLC. “It’s that ti...
LINCOLN – Students and instructors from 29 high schools met near Gering to compete in State Land Judging Oct. 19. The North Platte Natural Resources District (NRD) partnered with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to host the annual competition. With towering bluffs rising to the north, students judged in a dryland corn field southwest of Wildcat Hills Recreation Area. “We are honored to host the State Land Judging contest,” said Scott Schaneman, North Platte NRD general manager. “Our region’s unique bluffs have a rich geolo...
St. Louis, Mo. — If you or someone you know is an outstanding high school senior interested in pursuing a career in agriculture, we have an opportunity for you! Future ag leaders are vital to the sustainability and growth of our industry, and the American Soybean Association wants to provide one of these students a college scholarship as they begin their agriculture education. The Soy Scholarship is a $7,000, one-time award presented to a high school senior who plans to pursue agriculture as an area of study at any accredited college or u...
On Tuesday, October 11, the South Platte Natural Resources District (SPNRD) Board of Directors (Board) held its monthly meeting at 5:00 p.m. in the South Platte NRD Conference Room at 551 Parkland Drive, Sidney, NE. The Board approved the Long Range Implementation Plan (Plan) which is updated every five years and is an important tool used for budget forecasting and implementing our vision to conserve, protect, enhance, and manage the natural resources in the SPNRD. The Plan also aligns with our mission to “Formulate and instigate f...
Eric Galatas Nebraska News Service This winter, military veterans will have an opportunity to translate hard-won skills on the battlefield into Nebraska's fields and pastures through "Putting the Pieces Together," a U.S. Department of Agriculture-backed program. Martin Neal served 31 years in the U.S. Army and Army National Guard, and is hosting the next training session at his poultry farm about an hour outside of Lincoln. He believes veterans are well positioned to join the ranks of Nebraska's farmers and ranchers. "People who choose to be...
Nebraska Extension and the Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will host a series of workshops covering estate planning and agricultural land management and leasing in the Panhandle region between Nov. 7 and Nov. 9. The estate planning workshops will offer tools and strategies to effectively plan, start and complete estate and transition plans, offer background on common mistakes during the process and highlight essential considerations for creating and carrying out estate and succession plans. The...
Geitner Simmons IANR Mefia LINCOLN — Developing countries around the globe face a challenge that pits economic growth against environmental protection. As they expand their agricultural production, they often convert forest into cropland and pasture. But the large-scale removal of trees weakens the world’s ability to prevent further climate deterioration and biodiversity loss. Brazil presents a key example. The country is home to the world’s largest area of rainforest — some 1.2 million square miles, an area more than 16 times the size of Nebr...
Editor's note: This content was originally created for Nebraska Public Media, with permission given for distribution through Nebraska News Service. Historically dry weather across Nebraska will be a big factor for farmers this fall as corn and soybean harvests are underway. The state just recorded its driest August in 128 years of record keeping. Ranchers are being put to the test as drought conditions persist across all of the state’s $28 billion dollar agricultural sector. Many farmers and ranchers say this year is one of the toughest drought...
LINCOLN – U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that Biden-Harris Administration is making $500 million in grants available to increase American-made fertilizer production to spur competition and combat price hikes on U.S. farmers caused by the war in Ukraine. “Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, USDA is creating a resilient, secure, and sustainable economy, and this support to provide domestic, independent choices for fertilizer supplies is part of that effort,” Vilsack said. “USDA...
Reducing food waste can help individuals save approximately $370 per year. The average American family of four may be able to save close to $1,500 annually by preventing food waste. The USDA and the Environmental Protection Agency have a goal to cut our nation’s food waste by 50% by the year 2030. Food waste can occur along any part of the food chain. Consumers contribute to food waste through preparing more food than needed and throwing away the extra. Here are 14 tips to help keep food safe, edible, and out of the trash can: Shop the r...
SCOTTSBLUFF – Approximately 150 students met in Scottsbluff for the 2022 Area 1 Range Judging Contest on September 14, 2022. Sidney’s FFA Senior Division Team won First Place with teammates Zoe Fornander, Emily Miller, Ty Grunig, and Josette McConnell. Sidney’s other Senior Division Team with teammates Sidney Allard, Rylee McManis, Joslyn Bertrand, and Peyton Sprenger came in third. Range Judging is a high school competition that challenges students to gain a better understanding of Nebra...
Lincoln - The state has issued a health alert for Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB), also known as toxic blue-green algae, at Iron Horse Trail Lake (Wildlife Management Area) in Pawnee County and Oliver Reservoir in Kimball County. Iron Horse Trail Lake remained on alert this week after also being on alert last week. Bluestem Lake in Lancaster County, Maskenthine Reservoir in Stanton County, and Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County were all removed from alert after being on alert last week. Samples taken earlier this week at the lakes on alert...
LINCOLN – The Nebraska Farm Bureau Political Action Committee (NEFB-PAC) has endorsed Kathy Wilmot of Beaver City. Wilmot is seeking election to represent District 7 on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. “Kathy is committed to being a strong, conservative voice who will advocate for Western Nebraska,” said Sherry Vinton, chair of NEBF-PAC and first vice president of Nebraska Farm Bureau. “With her experience on the State Board of Education, we can trust Kathy will represent the bes...
By Gary Stone Nebraska Extension Water & Integrated Cropping Systems Educator Built in the 1950s, the Dave Johnston power plant is located near Glenrock, Wyo. This coal-fired power plant uses North Platte River water for cooling. Combined energy produced from the four steam-powered generators is 922.2 megawatts. The power plant is operated by PacifiCorp and scheduled to be decommissioned in 2027. The Laramie River Station power plant is located north of Wheatland, Wyo. on the Laramie River. The...
By Dr. Amanda Easterly, Research Assistant Professor at the High Plains Ag Lab; Dr. Brian Maust, Research Technologist, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture; Dr. Cody Creech, Associate Professor and Dryland Cropping Systems Specialist, PREEC; Dr. Katherine Frels, Assistant Professor of Small Grains Breeding, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture Results of the 2022 UNL Crops Testing Winter Wheat trials are now available in the 2022 Fall Seed Guide. It can be found at cropwatch.unl.edu/varietytest and includes details on yield, protein,...
John Westra has been selected as the new director of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff. His appointment will take effect on Sept. 1. Westra joined UNL in 2017 as the associate director for the southeast research and extension district and since then, has served in a variety of roles, including program leader for two interdisciplinary teams and professor of agricultural economics. In those roles Westra was able to see f...
LINCOLN. - The Nebraska Wind & Solar Conference recently held a virtual webinar titled, "What Do Regional Transmission Organizations Do?" with Casey Cathey, Director of System Planning at Southwest Power Pool. In this webinar, Casey spoke about the basics of the Southwest Power Pool. As a reminder, registration for the 2022 Nebraska Wind & Solar Conference on October 25th and 26th is open. Conference attendees are encouraged to take advantage of the Early Bird registration discount. Registration rates are as follows: * Early Bird Registration...
LINCOLN – Gov. Pete Ricketts recently announced MetalQuest and 21st Century Equipment as the recipients of the Developing Youth Talent Initiative (DYTI) grants for 2022. Launched by the Governor in 2015, DYTI introduces middle school students to careers in industries such as manufacturing, information technology, engineering, and healthcare. DYTI is administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED). “The Developing Youth Talent Initiative encourages partnership between pri...
KEARNEY – Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts welcomed 365 leaders to Kearney’s Younes Conference Center for the “Governor’s Summit on Ag and Economic Development,” co-hosted by the Nebraska Departments of Agriculture and Economic Development. “Nebraska is enjoying rapid growth and record-setting employment,” said Gov. Ricketts. “Nebraska agriculture set all-time highs for beef exports, corn production, and soybean production in 2021. Over the past year, we also achieved our state’s highest manufactu...
By Jessica Groskopf, PHREC Extension Educator, Agricultural Economist; Dave Aiken, Professor and Agricultural Water Law Specialist ; Allan Vyhnalek, Extension Educator, Farm & Ranch Transition and Succession Some farm leases are not written but are verbal — or "handshake" — agreements. Because nothing is in writing, the parties may have different recollections of their agreement, making lease disputes more difficult to resolve. The most common legal issue associated with verbal farm leases is how a lease may legally be terminated. For both year...
INDIANAPOLIS (National FFA Organization) – National FFA Alumni and Supporters recently announced 15 grants awarded to chapters across the country. Give Back to Your Roots Grants, supported by Nutrien Ag Solutions, were awarded to the Central FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter in Independence, Ore.; the Elgin FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter in Elgin, Ore.; Macon County FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter in Lafayette, Tenn.; MTSU Collegiate FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter in Murfreesboro, Tenn.; Richfield Springs FFA Alumni and Supporters C...
