Corn and Sorghum Harvests Nearly In
USDA Survey Reveals Crucial Data on Fusarium Head Blight
Considerations for Temporary Fence Around Cropland
Cattle Risk Management Workshop Offered on December 9, 2019
Nebraska Extension will be hosting a risk management workshop for cattle producers on Monday, December 9, 2019 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. CT at the Tumbleweed Cafe meeting room. Cattle producers will learn strategies designed to reduce risk exposure to achieve a profitable outcome in uncertain times. Topics covered during the workshop include marketing tools available to protect against unfavorable price declines, programs for protecting against weather related forage losses, and current issues facing the cattle industry.
Spanish:“Know Your Numbers, Know Your Options”
Making decisions for your farm and ranch can be stressful. However, having good financial records can help make the decision making process easier.
Spanish:2019 Women Managing Agricultural Land Conference
Female agriculture landowners, farmers and ranchers, and industry professionals looking to increase their business management skills are encouraged to register for the 2019 Women Managing Agricultural Land conference. The conference will be held Dec. 11 at Nebraska Innovation Campus, 2021 Transformation Drive in Lincoln.
Spanish:Improving the Bottom-line of Breeding: Three State Beef Conference
In a joint effort, Nebraska, Missouri and Iowa Extension are hosting three meetings to address how to set up an economical and successful breeding season. The registration fee is $25 per person. It includes a meal and a copy of the conference proceedings.
Presentations include:
Pre-calving nutritional strategies: Am I staying ahead or getting behind?
Dr. Travis Mulliniks, Range Cow Nutritionist, University of Nebraska
Do Your Herd and Your Bank Account a Favor - Test Your Hay!
Every year I get calls for help with balancing rations and most don’t have a hay analysis. All hay of the same species is NOT created equal. For instance, smooth bromegrass hay can range from 48 to 58% total digestible nutrients (TDN) with crude protein (CP) ranging from 6 to 11% CP. This can be the difference between a growing heifer losing 0.25 lb/d or gaining 0.37 lb/d. If you were targeting the heifer gaining 1 lb/d you would need to supplement between 1.5 and 3 lb/d of dried distillers to reach this goal.
Spanish:Early Low Temperatures May Impact Sugar Beet Quality
Temperatures dropping below 15 degrees in early October may have put some sugar beets in western Nebraska at risk of decaying at the crown. When decay begins in the beet before it can be processed, it makes the beet unacceptable for sugar production for human consumption.
Spanish:Are You a Great Person to Work For?
In a recent conversation with a ranch owner, he said they were once again looking for an employee for their operation. It was also mentioned that employee resignations seem to be a pattern. He then said, almost tongue in cheek, “I couldn’t be part of the problem with this situation, could I?”
Spanish:Soybean Stubble for Cows
After soybeans are harvested, cows sometimes are put out on the residues to graze. Some bean residues are even baled. But how good is this feed?
We’re all familiar with the usefulness of grazing corn stalks, but I see more and more residue from soybean fields grazed every year. Cows seem to like licking up what’s left behind after combining. But frankly, I’m a little concerned that some folks may think their cows are getting more from those soybean residues than what truly is there.
Spanish:Nebraska Livestock Judging Team Places at Nationals
Nebraska's 4-H Livestock Judging Team recently participated in the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest. The contest was held at the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) on November 20, 2019, in Louisville, KY. Thirty states were represented with 109 participants in the contest.
Nebraska's four-person team from Box Butte County included:
- Jayce Meyring
- Wade Sanders
- Macala Hood
- Jayda Meyring
The team was coached by Jay Meyring, Shauna Meyring, and Teresa Sanders.
Together, the Nebraska team finished 12th Overall and was only 4 points from being in the top 10. The team also placed 12th in sheep and goats, 12th in beef, 16th in swine, and 17th in reasons. Individuals are also recognized as All-Americans for placing in the top 20 overall. Jayce Meyring was recognized as an All-American for placing in 15th overall. Jayce also placed 17th in Beef, and Jayda Meyring placed 20th in Performance Beef.
Following the awards breakfast, Macala Hood said: "Even though the competition was tough; I think for us and how young we are we really did do great!"
"Then to be able to represent Nebraska in something on the national level was truly an honor," said Wade Sanders.
The team was awarded this opportunity as the first place senior livestock judging team at the 2019 state 4-H contest. The state 4-H livestock judging contest is held each year as part of the Premier Animal Science Event (PASE) at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. PASE offers a variety of 4-H animal science contests, including meats judging, poultry judging, livestock judging, livestock skillathon, and livestock quiz bowl. Each year, the top placing senior teams are awarded opportunities to participate in national 4-H contests. In 2020, PASE will be held on June 22-23.
"It was and is truly a dream come true to compete at Nationals," said Jayce Meyring.
"The opportunity was amazing, and it was so much fun to be able to see the country and livestock around the area, especially the horses," Jayda Meyring said. "And hopefully, it won't be the last time." She hopes to return to NAILE in the future as a college competitor.