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Market Journal photo A Nebraska Extension survey seeks producer feedback on the most important aspects of silage storage to their operations.

Corn for grain production in Nebraska based on year-end surveys is estimated at a record high 1.79 billion bushels for 2020. See how all major Nebraska crops fared for the year.

The National 4-H Youth in Action awards program recognizes four confident young leaders with diverse backgrounds and unique perspectives in the core pillar areas: agriculture, civic engagement, healthy living, and STEM. Each year, pillar winners will experience an exciting year of telling their 4-H story and celebrating their leadership. Winners receive:

• $5,000 higher education scholarship.
• Promotional video showcasing their 4-H impact story.
• All-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C for National 4-H Council's Legacy Awards.
• Networking opportunities with 4-H celebrities and other prominent alumni.
• Recognition as the official 4-H youth spokesperson for their pillar.

National 4-H Council is now accepting applications for the 2022 Youth in Action Awards. Applications should be submitted no later than 11:59 pm PST on Monday, March 29, 2021. 

Learn more

Two online courses from Nebraska Extension aim to equip farmers and ranchers with the skills and tools needed to improve financial record-keeping for their operations.

The TAPS 2021 Collaboration Event will celebrate winners of the 2020 competition and prepare contestants for the 2021 TAPS season.

Midwestern growers are encouraged to weigh in on herbicide drift concerns in new specialty crops survey.

It is with great excitement that Nebraska 4-H will be offering new livestock classes and divisions at the 2021 Nebraska State Fair! The decision to shift 4-H and FFA livestock shows to the two different weekends provided the opportunity to offer new shows and programs for 4-H exhibitors.

New in 2021! 4-H Beef

• Feeder calf show
• A junior breeding heifer class will be added to all breeding classes.
• 4-H members will be eligible to show up to a total of 5 beef animals. A 4-H member can exhibit up to 2 market beef, 3 breeding heifers, and 2 feeder calves as long as the total number of entries does not exceed five beef animals.

4-H Swine

• Beeding gilt show with 9 purebred classes, as well as crossbred classes
• Expanded market swine show with 9 purebred classes
• A new Farrowed and Owned Breeding Market Swine division for youth interested in learning more about the swine industry. The Nebraska 4-H Farrowed and Owned Swine Cohort is designed to enhance the traditional 4-H swine project and cultivate the next generation of leaders in the swine industry by providing opportunities focusing on swine production as a goal of the 4-H member's project, along with accurate and complete record-keeping, industry knowledge, and engagement by the 4-H member. 
• 4-H members will be eligible to show up to a total of 5 swine animals. A 4-H member is limited to exhibit 3 market hogs and 2 breeding gilts.

4-H Sheep

• 4-H members will be eligible to show up to a total of 5 sheep if at least two are breeding ewes. In no case will a 4-H member exhibit more than three 3 market lambs.

4-H Goat

• 4-H members will be eligible to show up to a total of 5 goats if at least two are breeding does. In no case will a 4-H member exhibit more than 3 market goats. 

We are pleased to offer new statewide volunteer recognition opportunities in 2021! The Nebraska 4-H volunteer recognition program is designed to complement the tradition of recognizing outstanding volunteers and provide a standard and consistent approach to volunteer recognition across Nebraska. The purpose is to provide a base for Extension staff to sustain volunteers, build leadership potential, and offer recognition and praise for the great work of volunteers. Volunteer categories include:

• Outstanding Adult Volunteer Awards
• Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award
• Multi-Generation Family Volunteer Award

Timeline:

• Nomination Form Opens - March 2, 2021
• Nomination Form Closes - April 1, 2021
• Award Winners Announcement - Week of the Volunteer, April 19-23, 2021
• Awards Presentation - Nebraska State Fair (date TBD)

Nominations can be submitted by any 4-H member, family, supporter, or Extension staff member. Nominees must fit the award categories and can be a volunteer for any Nebraska 4-H experience. Some examples may include 4-H club leader, project leader, junior leader, county or State Fair volunteers, special interest volunteers, such as robotics or shooting sports, afterschool club volunteer, 4-H camp volunteers, etc.

Nominate a Volunteer

The recent temperature extremes will not provide adequate control of pests such as this overwintering sawfly larva.

Monday, March 1, 2021

A newly launched survey by Nebraska Extension seeks ranchers’ input on the design of grassland conservation programs in the state. The survey, a partnership among Nebraska Extension, Nebraska Cattlemen's, Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, and the University of Nebraska, is a targeted effort to get feedback directly from the ranchers in the state.  

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Monday, March 1, 2021

Ranchers interested in learning about the latest cutting-edge research in range livestock production from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln are encouraged to register for the 2021 Nebraska Ranch Practicum offered by Nebraska Extension.

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Monday, March 1, 2021

This article was first published by The Nebraska Cattleman magazine.

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Monday, March 1, 2021

A new Nebraska Extension program will work to connect new and beginning farmers and ranchers with retiring landowners who are interested in transitioning their land to a new owner.

Nebraska Land Link is now accepting applications from interested land seekers and landowners, with the goal of providing land access using lease agreements, lease-to-own arrangements, buy-sell arrangements or other creative methods that are mutually beneficial for both parties.

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Monday, March 1, 2021

In March, the BeefWatch Webinar series will focus on planning for and managing during a drought. Each session will feature industry experts and plenty of opportunity to interact to get your questions answered. More information about the BeefWatch Webinar Series can be found on our webpage: https://beef.unl.edu/beefwatch-webinar-series

Each webinar is free and will begin at 8:00 PM Central Time.

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Monday, March 1, 2021

As calving season is kicking off for many producers, we need to start thinking about how to manage cows during the early postpartum phase for a successful breeding season. Due to calving distribution, one thing to worry about is late calving cows and how limited breeding season lengths can be challenging for them. Therefore, effective planning for reproductive health and limiting the impact of anestrus will ensure that cows are set up for the breeding season.

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Monday, March 1, 2021

The relationship between average daily air temperatures during the last trimester a cow is pregnant and calf birthweights has been documented in research done by the University of Nebraska from 1992-1998 (Climate Affects Calf Birth Weights and Calving Difficulty).

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Michael Trimble, Unsplash Nebraska Extension educators break down the meaning of common phrases in commodity marketing for a simpler approach to selling your crops.

Free legal and financial clinics are being offered for farmers and ranchers across the state in March 2021, providing one-on-one meetings with an agricultural law attorney and an agricultural financial counselor.