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A thunderstorm replenishes the Nebraska Panhandle with water. (Photo credit: Gary Stone) The first article in a six-part series of articles covering basic water law in the United States, focusing on the defining characteristics of water sources and water rights.

These sugarbeets demonstrate symptoms of a root disease characteristic of the wet-rot disease. Nebraska Extension Plant Pathologist Bob Harveson discusses the origins and impact of Gram-positive bacterial pathogens to Nebraska agriculture.

A pre-pandemic tour of a proso millet variety plots at High Plains Ag Lab near Sidney. After the pandemic, face-to-face field days will be possible again but the variety trial results are always available online as well. Results of University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s 2020 variety trials for proso millet have been compiled and are now available on CropWatch.

Results from the 2020 Nebraska On-Farm Research Network studies, featuring new enhanced content, are now available for public viewing.

The value of Nebraska’s 2020 field and miscellaneous crops is forecast at $11.9 billion, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This is up 22% from 2019.

Big Red Summer Academic Camps are residential, career exploration camps held at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. By participating in a camp youth get the opportunity to explore the Nebraska campus, meet people from across the country, spend time investigating an interest or potential career, and have a lot of fun! During the week-long camps, participants will work with our university faculty to explore the topic of their particular camp, like filmmaking or crop science. After spending several fun-filled days on campus, participants' families are invited to attend a special capstone event where youth showcase their achievements.

Sessions being offered in 2021 include:

• Agriculture & Natural Resources, June 13-18
• Animation, June 13-18
• Digital Media, June 13-18
• Engineering, June 13-18
• Filmmaking, June 13-18
• Sustainable Fashion, June 13-18
• Teaching, June 13-18
• Veterinary Science, June 13-18
• Talent in Startups, June 13-18
• Unicameral Youth Legislature, June 13-16

Big Red Summer Academic Camps are open to all youth grades 9th/10th-12th including recent high school graduates. The registration deadline for Big Red Camps is May 28. Early Bird Tuition rates end April 5. Regular Tuition rates end May 7. Late Tuition rates end May 28. No registrations will be accepted after May 28. All housing and food are provided for participants throughout the duration of the camp. Space is limited and camps will fill on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each camp offered has a specific number of openings. A waitlist option will be available in case COVID restrictions are lifted. Please see Big Red Summer Academic Camp Sessions for a list of camps offered this year, descriptions, participant limits, costs, and scholarship opportunities. Camps are hosted by Nebraska 4-H and our university faculty members in various academic areas across campus.

Learn more

USDA is providing technical and financial assistance that can help Nebraska farmers and livestock producers recover from damages brought on by winter storms Uri and Viola.

With the Farm Programs deadline quickly approaching, Extension educators offer advice on choosing between Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC).

This week, water and cropping systems extension educator Chuck Burr chats about evaluating injury and options for spring wheat.

Manure.unl.edu – The App is available on apple and android phones. The home screen tells about the different tabs within the app and provides contact information for NDEE inspectors. The UNL manure team is debuting its new app, designed to connect the public to the manure people they need.

Market Journal photo A Nebraska Extension survey seeks producer feedback on the most important aspects of silage storage to their operations.

Corn for grain production in Nebraska based on year-end surveys is estimated at a record high 1.79 billion bushels for 2020. See how all major Nebraska crops fared for the year.

The National 4-H Youth in Action awards program recognizes four confident young leaders with diverse backgrounds and unique perspectives in the core pillar areas: agriculture, civic engagement, healthy living, and STEM. Each year, pillar winners will experience an exciting year of telling their 4-H story and celebrating their leadership. Winners receive:

• $5,000 higher education scholarship.
• Promotional video showcasing their 4-H impact story.
• All-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C for National 4-H Council's Legacy Awards.
• Networking opportunities with 4-H celebrities and other prominent alumni.
• Recognition as the official 4-H youth spokesperson for their pillar.

National 4-H Council is now accepting applications for the 2022 Youth in Action Awards. Applications should be submitted no later than 11:59 pm PST on Monday, March 29, 2021. 

Learn more

Two online courses from Nebraska Extension aim to equip farmers and ranchers with the skills and tools needed to improve financial record-keeping for their operations.

The TAPS 2021 Collaboration Event will celebrate winners of the 2020 competition and prepare contestants for the 2021 TAPS season.

Midwestern growers are encouraged to weigh in on herbicide drift concerns in new specialty crops survey.

It is with great excitement that Nebraska 4-H will be offering new livestock classes and divisions at the 2021 Nebraska State Fair! The decision to shift 4-H and FFA livestock shows to the two different weekends provided the opportunity to offer new shows and programs for 4-H exhibitors.

New in 2021! 4-H Beef

• Feeder calf show
• A junior breeding heifer class will be added to all breeding classes.
• 4-H members will be eligible to show up to a total of 5 beef animals. A 4-H member can exhibit up to 2 market beef, 3 breeding heifers, and 2 feeder calves as long as the total number of entries does not exceed five beef animals.

4-H Swine

• Beeding gilt show with 9 purebred classes, as well as crossbred classes
• Expanded market swine show with 9 purebred classes
• A new Farrowed and Owned Breeding Market Swine division for youth interested in learning more about the swine industry. The Nebraska 4-H Farrowed and Owned Swine Cohort is designed to enhance the traditional 4-H swine project and cultivate the next generation of leaders in the swine industry by providing opportunities focusing on swine production as a goal of the 4-H member's project, along with accurate and complete record-keeping, industry knowledge, and engagement by the 4-H member. 
• 4-H members will be eligible to show up to a total of 5 swine animals. A 4-H member is limited to exhibit 3 market hogs and 2 breeding gilts.

4-H Sheep

• 4-H members will be eligible to show up to a total of 5 sheep if at least two are breeding ewes. In no case will a 4-H member exhibit more than three 3 market lambs.

4-H Goat

• 4-H members will be eligible to show up to a total of 5 goats if at least two are breeding does. In no case will a 4-H member exhibit more than 3 market goats. 

We are pleased to offer new statewide volunteer recognition opportunities in 2021! The Nebraska 4-H volunteer recognition program is designed to complement the tradition of recognizing outstanding volunteers and provide a standard and consistent approach to volunteer recognition across Nebraska. The purpose is to provide a base for Extension staff to sustain volunteers, build leadership potential, and offer recognition and praise for the great work of volunteers. Volunteer categories include:

• Outstanding Adult Volunteer Awards
• Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award
• Multi-Generation Family Volunteer Award

Timeline:

• Nomination Form Opens - March 2, 2021
• Nomination Form Closes - April 1, 2021
• Award Winners Announcement - Week of the Volunteer, April 19-23, 2021
• Awards Presentation - Nebraska State Fair (date TBD)

Nominations can be submitted by any 4-H member, family, supporter, or Extension staff member. Nominees must fit the award categories and can be a volunteer for any Nebraska 4-H experience. Some examples may include 4-H club leader, project leader, junior leader, county or State Fair volunteers, special interest volunteers, such as robotics or shooting sports, afterschool club volunteer, 4-H camp volunteers, etc.

Nominate a Volunteer

The recent temperature extremes will not provide adequate control of pests such as this overwintering sawfly larva.