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Drought-stressed soybeans with few to no pods present. Depending on economics to harvest, using drought-stressed soybeans for forage may be an option. (Photo by Jenny Rees) Nebraska Extension recommendations for Nebraska producers considering grazing, haying or ensiling droughty soybeans this year.

The Nebraska Cooperative Development Center has teamed up with the Nebraska Grocery Industry Association to host the inaugural Grocery Industry Summit in Kearney on Thursday, Aug. 24. The free summit is designed for attendees to learn about, discuss and address the many challenges facing the grocery industry today. 

Producers and agronomists listen to a seminar during the 2022 Southeast Nebraska Alfalfa and Wheat Expo in Crete. This year's expo will feature seminars and research updates on the UNL wheat breeding program, wheat fungicide seed treatments, alfalfa variety selection, alfalfa aphids and weevils, and more.

In week three of this series, let’s explore the second of the 7 C’s, “congruence.”

Another of the individual values in the social change model, congruence means “thinking, feeling, and behaving with consistency, genuineness, authenticity and honesty towards others.”

Having the experience and facilities to put up silage is one of many important considerations for producers faced with forage shortage concerns this year. (UNL Beef photo) When evaluating whether to harvest a field for silage or grain, there are several factors to consider. Both methods of harvest have advantages and disadvantages depending upon an operation’s goals and objectives.

The crop water use report is updated weekly. Visit PHREC AgLab for more information.

Nebraska Extension Educator Gary Stone shares an update on potential crop water use as temperatures are expected to rise into the upper 90s-low 100s this week.

I have spent a lot of time in this column talking about communities . . . but I don’t think I’ve ever explained what I mean when I say, “community.”

As a definition, I like this one from the University of Minnesota Extension program:

"Community, in its most basic definition, can be defined as individuals who share a common interest, background or purpose that gives them a sense of cohesion."

Attendees of this year's pasture walk will have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with extension educators to address their forage production questions and concerns. (CropWatch file photo) During this year's pasture walk at ENREEC, participants will learn about warm-season annual productivity, annual forage fertility management, prussic acid and nitrate concerns, and more.

The Center for Ag Profitability's ag law webinar reviews concerns about Proposition 12, Waters of the U.S. and property taxes. (Photo credit: Nebraska Unicameral Information Office) UNL Professor and Agricultural/Water Law Specialist Dave Aiken examines three 2023 decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court that are related to agriculture.

July of 2023 might best be remembered for its storminess, pleasant temperatures, untimely hailstorms, slow wheat harvest, and historic drought in eastern Nebraska.

(From left) Research team members Matt Girard (CSD intern), Yvon Ukwishaka (SNR graduate student), Sean Kruse (driller's assistant) and Christina Lyons (Beatrice Daily Sun reporter) at Homestead National Historical Park. (School of Natural Resources photo) The researchers are investigating nitrogen transformation above the water table under various irrigation strategies and fertilizer application to assist efforts in eliminating nitrate before it reaches groundwater.

Nebraska Extension Agricultural Systems Economist Jim Jansen, author of the 2023 Nebraska Farm Real Estate Report, discusses this year’s findings with RFD-TV host Tammi Arender.

Last week's rainfall improved Nebraska's overall drought status by 11%, a significant improvement over three months ago when 99% of the state was in some level of drought.

Remember: You don’t have to hire the first lawyer you consult. You need to have a lawyer you trust. Consider recommendations from friends, family and other ag professionals in the community to see who they’d recommend, or find recommendations in your area on websites like legalmatch.com or lawyers.com. Insights on how to prepare for a meeting with an attorney, including questions that can help producers decide who will best represent their family's interests.

Regardless of the type of lease — written, verbal, or even multiple year — the landlord should have clear communication with the tenant. You can avoid any miscommunication or pitfalls by sending a termination notice before Sept. 1, even for written leases. The most common legal issue associated with verbal farm leases is how a lease may legally be terminated. In this article, Nebraska Extension shares recommendations and deadlines for clearly communicating lease changes or termination.

Nebraska On-Farm Research Network photo Nebraska farmers are conducting on-farm research to investigate alternative control strategies for controlling western bean rootworm.

Historical farm real estate values for Nebraska are available at USDA. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication) Nebraska's farm real estate value for 2023 averaged $4,240 per acre, up $490 per acre (up 13%) from last year.

Uncertain forecasts make harvest decisions difficult for hay producers, but it's important to keep in mind that the more hay is worked, the more leaf shatter occurs and the lower quality we end up with — especially for alfalfa. Nebraska Extension Educator Ben Beckman reviews methods of kernel processing for quality corn silage and reducing hay loss during storage, as well as considerations for producers encountering adverse weather during hay harvest.

UNL researchers are collaborating on the development of a new irrigation scheduling application to optimize the utilization of water resources and predict the accurate amount and time of irrigation water that is required for crops.

In week two of this series, let’s look at the first of the 7 C’s, “consciousness of self.”

This is simply paying attention to your talents, interests and dreams, as well as the beliefs, values, attitudes and emotions that motivate your actions. As one of the individual values in the social change model, developing this trait can help you prepare yourself to work more effectively with others.