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The current forecast for mid-July reflects persistent high temperatures in the 90s and 100s, with minor precipitation events expected on July 12 and July 21.

This fresh salad is a Native American Staple. The recipe highlights the three sisters: corn, beans, and squash, which were some of the first domesticated crops used by Native Americans to sustain their long-term survival. 

Source:

This recipe is adapted from Get Fresh! Program. 

Notes: 

*May substitute a red or yellow bell pepper.

https://food.unl.edu/recipes/documents/three-sisters-salad-nep.pdfNewsletter/Program:  Nutrition Education Program Archive Link: https://food.unl.edu/nutrition-education-program-nepContact Info: Jean Ann FischerTaxonomy Term Description: 

The Nutrition Education Program (NEP) delivers evidence-based nutrition education and obesity prevention interventions through a combination of education strategies coupled with multi-level community changes that occur within the environment to promote healthy eating and active lifestyles.

This material was funded by USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP and Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ cup white vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, low sodium, drained and rinsed
• 2 (15 ounce) cans corn, low sodium, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup zucchini, scrubbed under running water, chopped
• 1 cup yellow squash, scrubbed under running water, chopped
• ½ cup onion, scrubbed under running water, chopped
• ½ cup green bell pepper, scrubbed under running water, chopped*

Directions:

1. Wash hands with soap and water.
2. In a small saucepan, mix sugar, vinegar, olive oil, and celery seed over medium heat. Heat until simmering, not boiling. Remove from heat and let cool.
3. In a large bowl, mix beans, corn, zucchini, squash, onion, and bell pepper.
4. Pour cooled dressing mixture over vegetables and toss. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
5. Serve cold.
6. Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to four days

Category:  Side Dishes Yield: 18 servings Serving Size: 1/18 of recipeCalories: 80Total Fat: 2Saturated Fat: 0Potassium: 4Total Sugars: 5Iron: 6Vitamin D: 0Calcium: 2Protein: 2Fiber: 2Added Sugars: 3Total Carbohydrates: 14Sodium: 40Cholesterol: 0Photo by Marusa Cernjul

Crop growth largely caught up to the five-year average pace last week, with soybeans blooming at 25%, sorghum headed at 4% and corn silking at 1%.

Estimated crop water use for Nebraska Panhandle crops for the week of July 4.

This year’s program will feature topics of grazing lands conservation, invasive species management, grazing systems and wildlife management.

Though it hasn't been determined what caused the Pathfinder (Interstate) canal break last Friday, PID hopes to have it repaired within two weeks. The break affected about 102,000 acres of cropland in Nebraska and Wyoming.

Nutrition Software Used: ESHA Food ProcessorNewsletter/Program:  Food Fun for Young Children Archive Link: https://food.unl.edu/free-resources/newsletters/food-fun-for-young-children/food…Subscribe Link: https://food.unl.edu/subscribe-food-fun-young-kidsContact Info: Cami WellsTaxonomy Term Description: 

Our goal is to help parents and caregivers prepare healthy meals and snacks by sharing recipes, tips and ideas that are geared for children ages 2 to 5. This will help children eat more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy foods along with reducing the mealtime stress of feeding young children.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup 100% pineapple juice
• ½ cup 100% orange juice
• ½ cup non-fat milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• ½ glass of crushed ice

Directions:

1. Wash hands with soap and water.
2. Combine juices, milk and vanilla in a jar or container with a tight-fitting lid.
3. Tighten the lid and shake the jar until all ingredients are mixed.
4. Pour over a glass of crushed ice.

Category:  Beverages Yield: 1 serving Calories: 170Total Fat: 0Saturated Fat: 0Potassium: 15Total Sugars: 29Iron: 6Vitamin D: 6Calcium: 15Protein: 5Fiber: 1Added Sugars: 0Total Carbohydrates: 37Sodium: 55Cholesterol: 5Photo provided by Cami Wells.

Nebraska Climatologist Al Dutcher reviews the official climate forecast for July and breaks down the potential for timely precipitation events during critical crop growth stages.

Nutrition Software Used: ESHA Food ProcessorNewsletter/Program:  Food Fun for Young Children Archive Link: https://food.unl.edu/free-resources/newsletters/food-fun-for-young-children/food…Subscribe Link: https://food.unl.edu/subscribe-food-fun-young-kidsContact Info: Cami WellsTaxonomy Term Description: 

Our goal is to help parents and caregivers prepare healthy meals and snacks by sharing recipes, tips and ideas that are geared for children ages 2 to 5. This will help children eat more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy foods along with reducing the mealtime stress of feeding young children.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup non-fat milk
• 6 ounces non-fat plain or vanilla yogurt
• 2 Tablespoons dark chocolate chips
• 1 cup frozen dark cherries

Directions:

1. Wash hands with soap and water.
2. Place milk, yogurt, chocolate chips and frozen cherries in a blender or food processor.
3. Blend until smooth.
4. Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Category:  Beverages Yield: 2 servings Calories: 180Total Fat: 5Saturated Fat: 3.5Potassium: 8Total Sugars: 24Iron: 6Vitamin D: 10Calcium: 20Protein: 8Fiber: 3Added Sugars: 5Total Carbohydrates: 29Sodium: 60Cholesterol: 5Photo provided by Cami Wells

Commodity and specialty crop producers have until July 22 to complete applications for assistance through the Emergency Relief Program.

Nebraska corn stocks are up 3% from 2021, and soybeans stored are up 53%, according to USDA NASS.

Dry edible bean acreage is up 17% in Nebraska, while corn acreage is down 2% and soybean acreage remains unchanged from 2021.

The forecast for July includes chances of precipitation across the state beginning this weekend, followed by a return to temperatures in the 90s and 100s until mid-July.

Farm and Ranch Management Analyst Glennis McClure discusses how custom operators can input data from the 2022 Nebraska Custom Rates Report into the Agricultural Budget Calculator to figure charges that will be competitive in the marketplace.

Figure 1. Thermal infrared sensors mounted on the center pivot irrigation system for monitoring canopy temperature. Results of a research project on optimizing irrigation methods by utilizing thermal and multispectral center pivot sensors to gather crop data.

Friday, July 1, 2022

The 2022 Nebraska Grazing Conference will be held August 9 and 10 at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney, NE with a program bridging grazing lands conservation and management.

Spanish: 

An important, yet often overlooked, way to determine when to cut grass hay is what quality of hay is needed on the operation. Extension educators discuss some often overlooked factors for determining a grass hay cut date, and share recommendations on timing irrigation for more effective control of bluegrass in alfalfa.