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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LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska corn farmers will plant 9.85 million acres of corn in 2024 according to the March Prospective Plantings report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). If these planting estimates hold up, Nebraska corn farmers will invest nearly 3.1 billion dollars into the state’s economy over a two-month period as calculated by the University of Nebraska - Lincoln’s crop budgets. This total is a result of inputs, such as seed, fuel and fertilizer, but does not include land costs, labor or equipment. Despite the seemi...
By Nicole Heldt, Research Project Coordinator Maharjan Soils Lab, UNL PREEC Inspired by an extension event survey comment, Dr. Bijesh Maharjan, Associate Professor & Extension Specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Panhandle Research, Extension, and Education Center, conceptualized the soil health cycle (SHC) as an iterative soil health management cycle to achieve agricultural sustainability. “The term 'Soil Health Cycle' was shared by a participant during the 2023 Nebraska Soil Health School event at UNL Haskell Ag Lab in Concord, N...
by Aaron Young Survey geologist with the Conservation and Survey Division UNL Groundwater levels in much of Nebraska continue to decline after several years of prolonged drought, according to the most recent statewide groundwater level report from the Conservation and Survey Division in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's School of Natural Resources. Of the 4,822 wells measured statewide, 85% exhibited declines from spring 2022 to spring 2023. Groundwater level changes in Nebraska are i...
The Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) reports that H5N1 avian influenza (bird flu) "is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and US dairy cows with one recent human case in a US dairy worker." Migratory waterfowl promote transmission of avian influenza (AI). Spring's moist, cool days provide an ideal environment for AI to spread through puddles and ponds. Commercial poultry firms generally work with their veterinarian to monitor AI conditions....
The annual Nebraska Tractor and Equipment safety certification course with hands-on safety will be held in June at Gordon and Gering. The courses are hosted by Nebraska Extension and Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Public Health. The two-day certification includes a Hands-On Safety Day with a written test and Tractor and Equipment Safety Training with a driving exam. Successful completion of Certification Days 1...
SIDNEY, Neb. - Western Nebraska Community College is thrilled to announce the launch of its expanded Commercial Driver's License (CDL) program in Sidney, beginning in Fall 2024. This expansion, made possible through a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, helps address the growing demand for skilled commercial drivers in the region. The U.S. Department of Labor's community funding appropriations request, supported by Representative Adrian Smith (NE-3), will facilitate the expansion of the CDL program at WNCC and at Northeast Community...
Nebraska's net farm income is projected to fall to $6 billion in 2024 and average $6.3 billion per year across the next decade, according to a new report from the Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center (RaFF) at the University of Missouri, produced in conjunction with the Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. While U.S. farm income projections topped a 2021 record with a new record in 2022 before falling in 2023, Nebraska net farm income took a fall...
UNL, Lincoln - Project partners of the Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool have launched the nationwide tool FRST, a decision-aid that provides an unbiased, science-based interpretation of soil test phosphorus and potassium values for crop fertilization. The FRST project is a collaboration of over 100 soil science and agronomic professionals representing nearly 50 universities, four divisions of the USDA, several not-for-profit organizations and one private sector partner. This diverse partnership underscores the collective effort and...
Over 7,000 FFA members, advisors, and guests attended and participated in the 96th Nebraska FFA Convention, held April 3-5 in Lincoln. Students competed in various contests all school year to qualify for the state convention. Those winning their Leadership Development Events, Career Development Events, and Agriscience Fair projects will go onto compete at the National FFA Convention against other states in their respective areas. Proficiency Area winners will also be judged at the national...
The Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) Board of Directors announced they voted to support an historic “Community Benefits Agreement” between Bold Nebraska and Trailblazer CO2 Pipeline, LLC. NeFU’s grassroots driven state policy on pipelines focuses on the fair and transparent treatment of landowners, first responders, and rural communities by pipeline companies, while not taking a position on carbon pipelines. The signing of the Community Benefits Agreement does not change NeFU’s neutral position on carbon pipelines. “NeFU’s Board of Directors a...
The public hearing on the amendments to the Districtwide Ground Water Management Area Rules and Regulations will be held Monday, May 13, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., at the SPNRD Office, 551 Parkland Drive, Sidney, Nebraska. Prior to the hearing, an information session will begin at 3:30 p.m. "The final draft has been submitted for review and comment to the proper state agencies which includes the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, and the Nebraska...
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission began accepting applications for one 2024 bighorn sheep lottery permit on April 15. A $29 non-refundable application fee must accompany each application. Only Nebraska residents 12 years and older are eligible for the lottery. It is unlawful to submit more than one application in a calendar year. Residents may receive only one permit in a lifetime. The permit is not transferable. The application period began at 1 p.m. Central time April 15 and ends Aug. 2....
Over the years, Wheat Belt Public Power District, or WBPPD, has had a variety of logos, ranging from Willy WiredHand, a cartoon mascot of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, created in 1950, to the three Touchstone Energy Guys. Sometimes sporting a sprig of wheat, then wheat with a blue halo, multiple logos have been used to represent Wheat Belt and in the name of bringing uniformity to their customers in identifying the Wheat Belt brand, their latest logo has been unveiled. WBP...
The Nebraska State FFA Degree is the highest degree bestowed by the Nebraska FFA, and six of those awards went to local area students during the 96th annual Nebraska FFA State Convention held in Lincoln April 3-5. The Nebraska State FFA Degree recognizes FFA members who have met very specific criteria. Members must have received the Chapter degree, been active FFA members for at least two years, completed at least four semesters of agricultural science at or above the ninth-grade level,...
Replacing females in the beef cow herd plays a pivotal role in a sustainable and profitable cow-calf operation. Analyzing the cost of raising replacements versus purchasing them can help make informed decisions. If retaining replacements, cattle producers must consider both the costs and potential returns associated with raising and integrating these heifers into the breeding herd. Here are some key financial considerations: Operational Goals and Risks Consider the operation's long-term goals and breeding objectives. Retaining heifers aligning...
An online Quicken course is being offered by Nebraska Extension for farmers, ranchers and agricultural business managers who want to learn more about the program and financial record-keeping. The course is led by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability and was first developed by Oklahoma State University. It leads users through hands-on sessions to develop a simple set of financial records and reports using Quicken. Exercises based on scenarios from a case farm allow participants to practice many of the s...
LINCOLN –The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) continues to monitor the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus in dairy cattle. HPAI has been detected in lactating dairy cattle in Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Michigan, and Idaho. At this time, there have been no reported detections of HPAI in Nebraska dairy cattle or other livestock. In an effort to protect the dairy herd in Nebraska, NDA is issuing an importation order effective immediately. The importation order will require all breeding female dairy cattle e...
The annual Nebraska Tractor and Equipment safety certification course with hands-on safety will be held in June at Gordon and Gering. The course is hosted by Nebraska Extension and Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Public Health. Federal law prohibits children under 16 from using certain equipment on a farm unless their parents or legal guardians own the farm. The certification course allows 14- and 15-year-olds to...
LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) is inviting proposals for source water protection projects through July 1, 2024. Approximately $150,000 in grant funding is available to political subdivisions that operate a public water system serving a population of 10,000 or less that can show financial hardship. Source water refers to rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and groundwater that provide water to public drinking water supplies and private wells. E...
LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) and Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) have partnered together for the 2024 Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week because everyone deserves to go home from work each day. The goal is to raise awareness among farmers and agricultural workers about the importance of safety when working in and around grain bins. This initiative also emphasizes the significance of overall safety practices on the farm. As Nebraska farmers strive for innovation and higher yields, there has been a notable increase in on-farm storage. Acc...
LINCOLN-- The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) has announced a rollout of the 2024 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). The NDA urges vendors whose market certification has expired or produce vendors who are looking to participate in the program for the first time to pre-register. To begin the certification/recertification process, produce growers need to log in to their vendor profile on the Nebraska Farmers Market Online Database at http://www.ne.gov/go/producevendor. Growers will need their vendor ID and password, and if...
Leyton FFA week ended with an unofficial "drive your tractor to school" day; a little crowded for the parking lot, the Case tractor and old farm truck fit in nicely on the street creating an appropriate aesthetic for the country school....
By Julie Peterson, Extension Entomologist at the West Central REEC; Jeff Bradshaw, Director of the Doctor of Plant Health Program; Updated by Pin-Chu Lai, Extension Entomologist at the Panhandle PREEC; and Gary Stone, Nebraska Extension Educator With the recent warm weather in Western Nebraska, army cutworms have been spotted in southern Sioux County and central Lincoln County. With spring approaching, this pest may be seen in Nebraska crop fields in the near future. It is an important time to scout for army cutworm, particularly in winter...
March 17-23 2024, marks National Ag Week, an event dedicated to increasing public awareness of agriculture's vital role in society. The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) wants you to spread the word about this important event by becoming an Ag Influencer. Here's how to do it. How it works The program is designed for college students or interns who are looking for experience in communication and community-building. The ACA has created an Ag Influencer toolbox with digital resources, ideas and...
The Cheyenne County Extension Office has a new Manager and 4-H Aide, Victoria Edwards of Chappell Nebraska has officially filled the position. Edwards has deep roots in 4-H, a former grand champion showman, she's worked with livestock since was only 4 years old. The hard work and perseverance taught her valuable life and character skills that she continues to show into adulthood, "4-H shows you what working hard means and how rewarding it can be," Edwards had to say. Edwards grew up on a hog...
