Feed aggregator

Monday, June 1, 2020

Food production is essential, and that requires beef producers to carefully consider how COVID-19 infections may impact cattle work. It is important to remember how the virus is transmitted (source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention):

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Monday, June 1, 2020

For cattle producers who rely on wells in pastures and rangelands as a water source for their cattle, much time is spent checking water to make sure that windmills and submersible wells are delivering the water cattle need.   These water checks are often made daily or every other day to ensure water is available.  When problems occur with a water source cattle depend on, time is limited to get the problem fixed, haul water or move the cattle to another location where water is.  Timeliness of knowing there is a problem with a well or a tank that stores water is essential

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Nebraska 4-H and FFA, in consultation with the Nebraska State Fair Livestock Committee, have decided to extend the State Fair livestock nomination deadline from June 15 to July 1. Exhibitors will be required to submit their DNA envelopes to their county Extension offices and have completed their online nomination and payment through ShowStockMGR.com by 11:59 PM CST on July 1, 2020.

Reports from the wheat growing regions in Nebraska indicate low or no disease pressure in most growers’ fields. However, some fields are showing low to moderate levels of disease.

This week, Chuck Burr and Paul Jasa share thoughts about row cleaners. Amy Timmerman, Sarah Sivits and Megan Taylor report on what they are seeing in fields after the cold and frosty weather.

Dear Friends of 4-H Camp,

We are announcing the cancellation of our summer 2020 programming. This decision was not taken lightly, and we tried every possible scenario to continue our programs this summer. After receiving guidance from a variety of sources, the decision ultimately came down to this question – can we carry out our mission, and can we keep our campers safe? The answer is we don’t know and that’s not good enough for us. We are committed to doing our part to stop the spread of COVID-19 and being a part of the solution.

The summer of 2020 had much promise and excitement around it. Our registration was on track to be the largest camps we have held in the recent past and the program we have developed was spectacular. This is a huge testament to the trust that you have placed on the Nebraska 4-H Camping Program. For this, we say “Thank You”. Thank you for putting your trust in us as we work every day “To Make the Best Better” in all that we do at 4-H Camp. We look forward to the day when we can be together again enjoying uncontrollable laughing and silliness, learning new skills at one of your activity times, creating spaces to build new friendships and connecting with one another, and crying at the closing campfire after reflecting on our awesome week together at camp!

As we reflect and move forward, we are filled with hope for the opportunities to continue our mission and connect with you this summer. We will be providing NEW Virtual 4-H Camp experiences during June and July! Check out our self-guided experiences through our 4-H Camp in a Box and a week of real-time virtual summer camp June 1-5! Registration will open soon for numerous real-time, week-long, special interest virtual camps that you can join from anywhere! More information about these experiences will be made available at http://4h.unl.edu/camp.

Information about several other FREE, real-time educational experiences, as well as many self-paced opportunities, can be found at https://4h.unl.edu/virtual-home-learning. Nebraska 4-H looks forward to learning with you this summer in new ways – right from your home!

As you can imagine, this decision has also had a great financial impact on our program. Much of our operating revenues come from the summer camp experience. In these unprecedented times, if you are able, please consider a tax-deductible gift to support the Nebraska 4-H Camps mission. Give securely on the Nebraska 4-H Foundation Website or mail to NE 4-H Foundation PO Box 4500, Lincoln, NE 68504.

Thank you again for your trust and support of the Nebraska 4-H Camps! We hope to see you soon at one of our 2020 virtual experiences and can’t wait till the day we can be together at camp again!

With the recent cold temperatures and frost in portions of the State, some are questioning the need to replant soybean. It’s important to assess potential recovery before making replant decisions. Soybeans are more resilient than one may think!

Despite the above-average yields in recent years, there has been reports of ear formation issues in corn that ranged from sites in the Texas Panhandle, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois. Does planting date play a role?

Donated hay bales accumulate at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center near Mead following flooding in 2019. (Photo by Deloris Pittman - Nebraska Extension) Nebraska Extension is calling on farmers, municipalities, lawn care companies and others to donate or sell wood chips, hay, lawn waste and other carbon sources to livestock producers hit hard by COVID-19.

As corn begins to emerge, be alert to the potential for damage from early season insects such as cutworms, wireworms, white grubs, or other insects. A key distinction to be aware of is that soil insects such as white grubs and wireworms can only be controlled with planting time treatments; cutworms and other caterpillars potentially can be controlled postemergence.

The weather has definitely taken a turn to the cold side over the weekend and into this week. Across Nebraska lows at or below 32°F were recorded over the weekend. Clear conditions coupled with temperatures in the 30s can be favorable for frost formation; especially in low lying areas within fields, but can be highly variable.

As of Sunday, May 10, Nebraska Corn planted was 79%, well ahead of 43% last year, and ahead of 60% for the five-year average, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Emerged was 30%, well ahead of 7% last year, and ahead of 18% average.

Friday, May 8, 2020 A Fundamental Review on Basis

Basis is defined as the cash minus futures. Cash market reflects today's supply conditions and price. Futures market reflects upcoming supply and demand conditions. If it is anticipated that there will be a period of increasing supplies, futures prices will decline to reflect that information. Likewise, periods of time with expected decreasing supplies, future prices are expected to increase.

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For quite a few farmers and ranchers, the thought of retiring is likely not something that they want to consider. So, if I’m not retiring, why would I complete an estate plan?

Alfalfa weevils have been reported damaging alfalfa in north central Kansas. As temperatures warm up, expect to see alfalfa weevil larvae in southern Nebraska and slightly later, in northern Nebraska.

Even in these uncertain times with COVID-19 the TAPS competitions, like many other farming operations, has moved forward with their 2020 planting. Participants had to make the crucial decisions for hybrid and seeding rate to use in the competition by April 10th.

The plastic from recycled containers is used to make industry-approved products such as pallets, drain tile, underground utility conduit, landscape edging, and nursery pots. Instead of adding them to a landfill, consider recycling your containers this year.

Approximately 61% of the state’s corn was planted as of Sunday, according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. This is well ahead of 30% last year and 38% for the five-year average. Emerged was 9%, ahead of 1% last year, and near the average of 5%.