Cedar Tree, Manure and Soil Health Field Day Set for Oct. 25
USDA NASS: Nebraska Corn Stock Down 28%, Soybean Down 58%
Maximizing Profitability of Manure Use
The Economics of Corn and Soybean Harvest Moisture
CARING FOR YOUR CORE AFTER PREGNANCY
Being active after pregnancy provides many benefits for new mothers. One important consideration for women who have recently given birth is taking proper care of the core. As the baby grows during pregnancy, abdominal muscles stretch, the tissue connecting the muscles on either side of the abdomen thins and stretches, and the back muscles become shorter. After giving birth, these changes do not immediately return to their pre-pregnancy state so caring for the core muscles is important in avoiding injury.
Note: Some post-partum women may experience separation of the abdominal muscles, called diastasis recti. This condition should be diagnosed by a medical professional. Women with diastasis recti should consult with their doctor or physical therapist about the best movement program for them. All women should check with their doctor before beginning an exercise or movement plan.
A common tendency of women seeking to strengthen and condition their muscles after pregnancy is to do crunches or sit-ups. Crunches and sit-ups primarily work one type of abdominal muscle near the surface of the torso and may even create too much pressure in the abdomen. A better strategy is to begin with smaller movements that strengthen all abdominal muscles as well as the pelvic floor.
Certified fitness instructor and personal trainer Nicole Nichols shares a series of progressive exercises in a blog for the National Academy of Sports Medicine. The series allows time for the body to strengthen before moving to the next exercise.
However, caring for the core after pregnancy goes beyond exercise routines. Being conscious of movement and posture throughout the day will contribute to a stronger, more stable center while preventing injury. Continuing with movements like those used when you were pregnant will help your body transition.
- When picking baby up from the floor, kneel or squat down and hold baby close to the center of your body. Use your knees to lower and lift your body, keeping your back straight.
- When putting baby into the tub or car, bend your knees, keep your back straight, and stand or kneel close to the edge of the tub or the car.
- When working at a counter, sink, ironing board, etc., stand near the edge with your back straight and knees bent. Bend at the hips, rather than the spine, when reaching and moving.
- To vacuum, shift your weight from one foot to another, lunging out over the forward foot. Bend at the hips when reaching or moving to the side.
- To get up from a resting position on your back, turn to your side, then push yourself up to a sitting position.
The most important thing to keep in mind when being active after pregnancy is to allow your core the time it needs to regain strength. The abdominal muscles were continually stretched for nine months so taking several months to gradually build up to your pre-pregnancy style of movement is just fine!
References
Nichols, N. National Academy of Sports Medicine. “Progressive Exercises for Post-Pregnancy.”
https://blog.nasm.org/progressive-exercises-for-post-pregnancy
Pre-natal Exercise and Back Care Handbook. (2011). University of California San Francisco.
Click to access SDOBG0235.pdf
ERIN KAMPBELL, EXTENSION EDUCATOR | THE LEARNING CHILD
Peer Reviewed by Kara Kohel, Lisa Poppe, and Lynn DeVries Extension Educators, The Learning Child
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Share this:Crop Progress: Corn, Soybean, Sorghum Harvest Running Near Average
How Far is too Far to Transport Cows to Winter Cornstalks?
There are times feed in the local area is scarce or expensive. This may happen during a time of drought or other natural or manmade disaster. With the help of UNL’s Feed Cost Cow-Q-Later it’s easy to make some comparisons among methods of feeding cows and with some additional information estimate comparison costs among feed sources, including transporting cows. With the current drought conditions in many parts of the Western US, we felt it was worth the effort to develop the tool and provide some commentary on what we found about those costs.
Spanish:Crop Residue Exchange Links Cattle Producers with Available Feed Resources
With dry conditions in much of the western half of the United States, reports of livestock producers looking for fall and winter forage are accumulating. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Crop Residue Exchange (http://cropresidueexchange.unl.edu) is a free online tool designed to link cattle producers to other producers with available grazing resources.
Spanish:Questions to Ask When Developing Winter Cow Care Agreements
Spanish:
Where is Value being created in your Ranch Operation?
For many ranch operations multiple enterprises are a part of the overall business. In addition to the cow-calf enterprise, land is owned, replacement heifers are developed, hay is harvested, and often, yearlings are wintered and grazed through the summer before being sold. Breaking the whole ranch into enterprises and identifying where value is being created and costs are occurring can show where opportunities exist to change and improve the profitability of the ranch business.
Spanish:Exercise Caution when Grazing Cattle on Drought Stressed Cornstalks
Cornstalk residue is a tremendous resource for fall and winter grazing; however, this year care needs to be taken in grazing drought stressed cornstalks due to the potential of high nitrates in the feed.
Cattle prefer and will select the grain as well as leaves and husk first which tend to be lower in nitrates. Because drought stressed corn is smaller and stunted, it is more likely that cattle will eat lower into the stalk where nitrate levels may be high. Nitrates are usually more concentrated in the bottom third of the stalk in the corn plant.
Spanish:Preparing for Cattle Transport Saves Time, Money and Stress
With fall upon us, many producers are beginning to plan shipment of this year’s calf crop or moving cattle from summer pasture to crop residues, fall/winter pastures, or to a dry lot. Each and every year, millions of head of cattle are transported from point A to point B. During this time, our bumper-pull trailers, gooseneck trailers, or cattle pots are giant billboards for the cattle industry.
Spanish:Sample for Soybean Cyst Nematode This Fall
Developing Heifers to Fit Their Production Environment
As producers begin selecting replacement heifers, a commonly asked question is, “What is the best method for developing heifers?” Considering the expenses involved in developing replacements, determining the most cost-effective system for a specific production environment is important for both long-term profitability and longevity of those females.
Spanish:Safely Grazing Frosted Sorghums
The first light frosts are still a few weeks away in Nebraska. However, planning for these events should be considered by beef producers grazing plants in the sorghum family. In addition to sorghum, plants such as sudangrass, and milo or grain sorghum fall under this same level of risk as colder temperatures draw near. Following a freeze, these forages can be highly toxic with prussic acid. Drought, pasture clipping, and overgrazing are other events that can cause increased levels of prussic acid.
Spanish:Range Beef Cow Symposium XXVII coming to Rapid City, South Dakota
The Range Beef Cow Symposium (RBCS) will be held in person November 16-17, 2021 in Rapid City, SD. The RBCS has been held every other year since 1969 and is hosted by South Dakota State University, Colorado State University, University of Wyoming, and University of Nebraska beef cattle extension.
The RBCS is a great place not only to hear the latest updates on topics of interest to the beef industry, but is also a great place to network with producers, industry leaders, and the vendors who make it happen.
Spanish:Nebraska 4-H hits the road with volunteer professional development
This fall, Nebraska 4-H is hitting the road with an all-new volunteer professional development opportunity. Join us for an evening to discover new opportunities for yourself and your 4-H youth, network with other 4-H volunteers in your community, and build your skills as a 4-H volunteer! Be sure to register in advance to save your seat. Registration is $8 and includes a meal and all materials. Payment is due at the door.
McCook – November 8
- Location: Red Willow County Fairgrounds Community Building
- Time: 6:00 - 9:00 pm CST
- Register by November 1.
Bridgeport – November 9
- Location: Prairie Winds Community Center
- Time: 5:30 - 8:30 pm MST
- Register by November 1.
Columbus – November 15
- Location: Central Community College
- Time: 6:00 - 9:00 pm CST
- Register by November 8.
Beatrice – November 18
- Location: Southeast Community College
- Time: 5:30 - 8:30 pm CST
- Register by November 10.
LB396 Creates new Opportunities for Farm-to-School Meals
Lincoln, Nebraska, Sept. 22, 2021—On any given weekend in Nebraska, one can visit 100-plus farmers markets and purchase dozens of varieties of locally grown fruits and vegetables. Or stop by one of hundreds of roadside stands or dozens of you-pick operations. Nebraska grows a lot more than cattle and corn. But most of what Nebraska students eat doesn’t come from the state.