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Turning manure nutrients into better crop yields while protecting the environment will be the focus of seven Nebraska Extension workshops being held across the state this February and March.

In Nebraska, all applicators who handle restricted-use pesticides, as well as general-use pesticides for structural or ornamental/turf pest control, or outdoor vector control on behalf of a political subdivision of the state, must be certified/licensed. More info on applicator certification categories can be found here. Recertification for commercial/noncommercial pesticide applicator licenses expiring in 2024 must be completed in person or online by Monday, April 15.

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Check out the first two parts in this series focused on measuring performance in a cow-calf operation. 

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In Nebraska, residents must be 18 years or older and certified/licensed by the state to purchase and use restricted-use pesticides. Nebraska pesticide applicator licenses are valid for a period of three years. Producers who need to acquire or renew a private pesticide applicator license in 2024 can choose between several options, including in-person training, online self-study programs, and an NDA-administered exam.

Learn more about the practice of chemigation, industry regulations and certification requirements on the Pesticide Safety Education Program site. Chemigation training for Nebraskans will be offered at nearly 50 in-person sessions from now through April, as well as online.

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Not every cow is going to be profitable, even when calf prices are high. It is important to consider the quality of cows as well as cost. Paying too much for good cows is as bad as paying very little for a horrible one. Producers who intend to be profitable must consider closely the relationship of current and future cost to current and future revenue, cow longevity and productivity. 

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The Pesticide Safety Education Program website has more information on training programs for Nebraskans seeking licensure for pesticide application. Nebraskans can access several courses online for pesticide certification training in 2024, including commercial/noncommercial applicator, private applicator, chemigation and the new Spanish course for private pesticide applicators.

Introduced in 2023, the online Spanish pesticide safety online training course will be available to the public again in 2024. See details below. The Spanish training course covers all required materials for individuals to get a private applicator license for restricted use pesticides and for recertifications.

Friday, January 12, 2024

As wintry, cold weather hits with sub-zero temperatures, there's not much room for error in cold weather preparedness. Cattle producers can't just stay indoors when the weather gets cold. However, since a producer's most valuable assets are the humans who have to be out in the cold, it's important to recognize when it's time to take a break and warm up, or adjust the work, equipment or gear to make sure the people are prioritized in cold weather. 

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Thursday, January 11, 2024

Livestock producers know winter can be a challenge for their cowherds, and Karla Wilke, Nebraska Extension cow-calf/stocker specialist, reminds them not to forget about their bulls in their winter management plans. 

“Bulls are one of our bigger investments in the cow herd, and 90 percent of the cows are still impregnated through natural service with a bull rather than artificial insemination,” Wilke said. “So, they also require year-round maintenance.”  

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In some areas of Nebraska that struggled with drought in 2023, pasture and forage production could be challenging, especially in early 2024. One strategy for improving production is frost-seeding legumes like red clover in February to mid-March. Extension Forage Crop Residue Specialist Daren Redfearn reflects on pasture and forage production throughout 2023, and what producers can do to improve plant growth in 2024.

Friday, January 5, 2024

The annual Three-State Beef Conference gives beef producers and others a chance to spend an evening learning from top researchers and industry leaders. This year topics include corn residue grazing, heifer development and managing cows for longevity and profitability.

The conference features three presenters who travel to three states over three days, Jan. 16-18, discussing their research findings and practical ways to apply them.

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Nebraska Extension Educator Amy Timmerman explores what type of pesticide licenses are required in Nebraska to apply restricted use pesticides.

Significant snowfall and extreme cold are headed for Nebraska beginning Monday, Jan. 8.

Extended for an additional year, the ARC and PLC programs will provide assistance to producers facing commodity market volatilities throughout the 2024 crop year

Participants who register for the 2024 Nebraska Women in Ag Conference before Feb. 9 can take advantage of a discounted rate for attending the two-day event in Kearney. The 2024 conference highlights include keynote speakers Ashley Machado, Dr. David Kohl, John Noltner, and more than 20 workshops on risk management of production, marketing, finances, human and legal.

Benson Bounty presents ‘Planting a Profitable Pollinator Habitat with Native Nebraska Plants,’ a SARE-funded project that explored the profitability of growing native perennial plants and marketing them through a variety of channels. (Photo by Sydney Seh) This year's conference features more than 30 sessions on agricultural and local food systems, including farm financial and transition planning, farm skills, field crops, livestock, farm and food policy, urban ag and local food access, and more.

The Eastern Nebraska Corn and Soybean Expo on Jan. 25 combines two events at the University of Nebraska Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center near Mead, Nebraska. Free to attend, the new corn and soybean expo combines two previous extension events — the Fremont Corn Expo and the Nebraska Soybean Day and Machinery Expo — into one full day of research, presentations, industry updates and more.

The upcoming farm succession workshops are sponsored by the Nebraska Rural Response Hotline, Nebraska Department of Agriculture Beginning Farm Tax Credit and Negotiations programs, the Farm and Ranch Project of Legal Aid of Nebraska, and the Nebraska Farmers Union Foundation. Hosted in Stuart and Greeley, the workshops will cover basic estate and succession planning to assist farm and ranch families in creating or reviewing their plans.

While fall and winter weathering can reduce its nutritional quality, cornstalks are still a great and economical winter feed source if supplementation is managed appropriately. Considerations for grazing cornstalks with snow cover and utilizing low-quality hay and silage during periods of low supply and high feed costs.