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Sidney is welcoming community development professionals from across the country for the 6th annual Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference May 1-2. Hosted by Rural Prosperity Nebraska, the conference features workshops, seminars and keynote lectures by experts in all things community development, from building tourism assets to strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems.

A combine harvests soybean near Friend, Nebraska. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing) Entomologists at the University of Nebraska are experimenting with the production technique of hilling to control soybean gall midge populations in Nebraska.

Aerial rendering of the $160 million USDA laboratory building and greenhouse facility that will be built at Nebraska Innovation Campus. (IANR News image) A $25 million investment from USDA ARS will fund construction of a new research facility at UNL's Innovation Campus, dedicated to the development of ag tech and precision agriculture tools.

During Dr. Mamo's five years in the role, the agronomy and horticulture department has made strides in all three of its mission areas: teaching and learning, research and extension.

Historical prospective plantings data for Nebraska is available at USDA. Dry edible pea acreage is anticipated to skyrocket in 2024, at a 129% increase over 2023. More sorghum and dry edible bean acreage is also expected in Nebraska this growing season.

Robert Swap, an official with NASA's Earth Science Division, addresses the Harnessing the Heartland conference. The new regional initiative will develop collaborative strategies drawing on input from Midwest residents, communities and institutions. (Photo by Russell Shaffer, Rural Prosperity Nebraska) In a new initiative, scientists from multiple institutions across the nation will collaborate on climate resilience research to help the Midwest address drought, extreme wind events and floods.

More precipitation and a possible snow event are headed for Nebraska this weekend, with chances of another storm system bringing rain the first weekend of April.

February 2024 was the second-warmest on record for the state of Nebraska, and the new warmest on record for eastern crop reporting districts.

How is healthy soil created? In this article, soil health experts explain how plants and soil organisms interact to compose and decompose organic matter, cycling nutrients, and building the structure of soils.

A farmer can only send emails from his cellphone while sitting atop his grain silo. A rancher cannot process his cattle because his smart ear tags fail to connect to Wi-Fi. A student takes hours to upload her homework because her internet connection is so slow.

These are not fictional scenarios. They are examples of rural residents who struggle with reliable internet. While many Nebraskans are familiar with these situations, a team in Thayer County has figured out a way to bring state-of-the-art broadband to even its most remote residents.

Wednesday, March 27, 2024 Water is often a limiting resource when considering both animal and grazing management. Checking water levels can often account for a considerable proportion of time and labor costs, especially when water sources are few and far between or during extreme weather events. Producers who are looking to minimize time spent checking water may consider investing in one of many modern water monitoring solutions. Many options are available based on needs, product features, budget, and connectivity concerns. For simplicity’s sake, we will start with the most basic options and work our way up.Spanish: 

Even before plants begin to green up, individual plant assessments can be done. While assessment before green-up occurs may seem a bit preemptive, pre-scouting now can focus scouting efforts to problem areas later on when time becomes precious during spring planting. Extension educators review options for interseeding grasses into alfalfa and assessing alfalfa stand health.

Alfalfa weevil larvae (pictured at left) spend nearly all their time feeding on fresh leaf tissue, causing alfalfa plants to wilt and turn brown (at right), which can look similar to the effects of drought and cold injury. (CropWatch file photos) Recommendations on scouting for alfalfa weevil in the coming weeks, and resources for ag producers dealing with stress and other impacts to their health and wellbeing.

Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA. While winter wheat condition improved slightly in March, soil moisture supplies generally decreased.

The Handy Bt Trait Table has been updated for 2024. This reference guide alphabetically lists all trade names for hybrids with Bt traits, and includes Bt protein(s) expressed, targeted insects, refuge requirements and herbicide traits. Updated for 2024, the Handy Bt Trait Table can help producers avoid the development of resistance from using the same traits repeatedly and in troubleshooting insect injury or preparing to apply herbicides.

Monday, March 25, 2024 Program Participants in Nebraska Eligible to Donate Grazing and Haying Rights LINCOLN, Nebraska, March 25, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) authorizes the release of emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres nationwide, including CRP acres in Nebraska, to livestock producers affected by the recent wildfires in Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. Spanish: 

Monday, March 25, 2024 A new resource developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and CattleFax helps cattle producers maximize profitability from their culling decisions. “Right Way. Right Time. – A Guide to Cull Cattle Management” is now available at www.ncba.org. Spanish: 

The Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Soybean Board encourage those who work in and around grain bins to have a plan in place for safety and to properly learn safety steps. With proper safety procedures, grain bin accidents are preventable. The Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week initiative strives to raise awareness among farmers and agricultural workers about the importance of safety when working in and around grain bins, and overall safety practices on the farm.