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Recently, Market Journal spoke with Nebraska FSA Outreach Coordinator Bobbie Kriz-Wickham to discuss the USDA’s new Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) which provides payments to producers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic is putting limits on public face-to-face programs, but Nebraska Extension will sponsor a variety of events in mid-June to share updates on the wheat variety trials and crop and livestock research conducted by University of Nebraska-Lincoln in western Nebraska.

On June 10th, 2020 three soybean gall midge adults were collected south of Louisville, Nebraska. This was the only site in the network with soybean gall midge adult activity.

As of Sunday, June 7, most of Nebraska’s corn and soybeans have emerged and are rated 83% and 82% good to excellent respectively. Winter wheat was 67% headed which is behind the five year average. Sorghum planting is well ahead of average and rated 90% good to excellent.

Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) is a concept to identify potentially invasive species prior to or just as the establishment of the invasive is taking place. An Integrated Pest Management plan (IPM) can be developed to manage, contain and eradicate the invasive species before it can spread further. This will avoid costly, long-term control efforts.

The safety of youth and their families is our highest priority. We were hopeful and preparing to offer an in-person Fonner Park State 4-H Horse Expo. With continued uncertainty about COVID-19 in Grand Island and whether or not we would get approval from the Health Department coupled with concerns from volunteers and staff and the ability to offer a high-quality experience for youth, we have decided to cancel the in-person show for 2020. Instead, a modified virtual show will be hosted allowing youth to compete from home. This will allow all 4-H'ers the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and effort they have put into their horse project. This virtual opportunity will also include 4-H Horse Stampede contests. More information can be found on the Fonner Park State 4-H Fun Horse Show. 

We understand the disappointment this decision will cause, but we hope this will be a new way to introduce youth to a trend that is increasing in popularity across the country. We appreciate the work of the Horse Advisory Committee, representatives from Fonner Park, and the City of Grand Island for all their support in this difficult decision. 

Fonner Park State 4-H Fun Horse Show

The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a ruling on June 3, 2020 that immediately cancelled the registration of XtendiMax®, FeXapan®, and Engenia® primarily used in dicamba-resistant soybean, also known as Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® soybean.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a ruling on June 3, 2020 that immediately cancelled the registration of XtendiMax®, FeXapan®, and Engenia® primarily used in dicamba-resistant soybean, also known as Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® soybean.

Extension educators report on what they are seeing in the fields this week in Custer, Greeley, Howard, Cheyenne, Adams and Webster counties.

This week's map indicates that enough degree days have accumulated for common stalk borer eggs to have hatched across the state.

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

As cattle feeders hold on to fat cattle until the opportunity to be harvested arises, it is important to prepare for periods of extreme heat by developing a heat stress management plan. The combination of hot temperatures, high humidity, and lack of air movement can result in severe cases of heat stress for cattle. When temperatures remain above 70°F during the night, cattle are unable to recover before the next episode of heat exposure. This can result in reduced intakes and gains, and in extreme cases, death.

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Soybean planting was early this year in Nebraska, but dry soil conditions in most of May resulted in poor activation of pre-emergence herbicides applied in rain-fed fields and subsequently less than expected weed control.

As of May 31, 2020, Nebraska corn planting was complete and soybeans planted was 95% according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Planting and emergence of both crops continues to be ahead of five year averages.

Photo source: The Learning Child

As a child, I remember running around barefoot with my siblings,exploring woods, climbing trees, and building forts. Oh, the memories. I had scrapes, bruises, and even stitches at times, but they were worth it.In addition to the great memories made, did you know there are endless benefits of simply letting your child run outside and play? The next time you’re deciding whether to let your child play inside or outside, you might want to consider all the opportunities that come with the great outdoors.

Increased Physical Activity

Although it seems as if your child has endless energy, letting them play outside can help release some bottled up energy. Everything from walking, running, and jumping around, to climbing trees and carrying building supplies for forts, contributes to the development of strength, balance, and coordination. According to the Stateofobesity.org, Nebraska ranks 5th with a 2-4-year-old obesity rate of 16.9%. Yikes! Just think how our rates might decrease if children spent more time outside.

Development of Gross Motor Skills and Fine Motor Skills

Developing these skills directly affects the creation of strong, healthy, capable children. Gross motor skills help your child run, walk, and climb. Fine motor skills are used when they pick up sticks or make a nature bracelet with all of their outdoor treasures. Development of these skills requires lots of practice,and outdoor adventures offer just that.

Social Interaction

No matter if your child is playing with siblings, friends, or you, they are gaining social interaction. Being outside with limited toys can push children to expand their imaginations. When combining different imaginations, new ideas and brainstorming skills are created. Teamwork is also strenghtened. Whether they are ‘playing house’ or building something, your child will be working together with others, and learning teamwork young could benefit your child in their future endeavors.

Use of Imagination

I just mentioned that when your child is outside, it can force them to use their imaginations. Children need to experience boredom at times in order to create new levels of play. Once they do, they can see objects in new ways, such as using mud to make cake or pretending a stick is a mixing spoon. Also, when your child has free time, they have time to daydream, and that can lead to some of their most creative ideas.

It is the beginning of summer and that means it’s the perfect time for your child to go enjoy all of the benefits that the great outdoors offers!

LaDonna Werth, EXTENSION EDUCATOR | THE LEARNING CHILD

Peer Reviewed by Leanne Manning, Extension Educator, The Learning Child and Lisa Poppe, Extension Educator, The Learning Child

Make sure to follow The Learning Child on social media for more research-based early childhood education resources!

After a frost, or hail event, the dead tissue is not able to resurrect itself and is eventually sloughed off as the plant continues to grow. Thus a common question is how do I determine corn growth stage when I can no longer count leaves?

Planting conditions seemed to be “perfect” this year. This allowed a large percent of corn and soybean acres in Nebraska to be planted earlier than in previous years. Because conditions seemed so good, the question is why emergence has been uneven in some fields this year.

While agricultural producers and agribusinesses are eligible for two programs administered through the Small Business Administration, the primary support for agriculture is coming from USDA through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Read more about the CFAP program and register for the June 4 webinar.

I have worked with irrigation management for almost 20 years. Today most farmers are doing a better job than when I started, however many still tend to over apply water -- leaving room for improvement. That left me wondering “Why” and “What could help more farmers apply the optimal amount of irrigation water?”

During a survey of wheat fields in south central and southeast Nebraska on May 27, stripe rust was found at trace levels in a grower’s wheat field in Thayer County in southeast Nebraska.

Application of soil residual herbicides is important because they deliver a few weeks of residual weed control and aid in weed resistance management by incorporating additional site(s) of action in herbicide program. Several residual herbicides can be applied after corn emergence without injury to corn.