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The February Land Management Quarterly webinar will include an “Ask the Experts” session, allowing participants to get answers to their land or lease questions. The Center for Agricultural Profitability's first Land Management Quarterly of 2024 will cover the latest trends in Nebraska cash rental rates, new leasing considerations, and more on Feb. 19.

In a new episode of Nebraska FARMcast, Dave Aiken, professor and extension agricultural law specialist, discusses two new Nebraska legislative bills aimed at restricting alien land ownership. Dave Aiken, professor and extension agricultural law specialist, discusses two new Nebraska legislative bills aimed at restricting alien land ownership.

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Mud conditions in calving areas can lead to health concerns in both the cow and calf.  Mud and moisture prevent the hair coat from insulating and maintaining body temperature, leaving newborn calves vulnerable to hypothermia.  Mud also increases the energy requirements for the cow and may lead to decreases in body condition score (Nickles, et al. 2022).

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Throughout each Center for Agricultural Profitability Returning to the Farm workshop, participants receive help from experts in developing estate and transition plans, setting personal and professional goals and improving the communication process between family members. This workshop series assists families and agricultural operations with developing financial plans and successful working arrangements to meet their unique needs.

Thursday, February 15, 2024 Coccidiosis is caused by a microscopic protozoan parasite. The parasite invades intestinal cells and destroys the cells while multiplying, causing diarrhea in the process. Coccidiosis in cattle is characterized by straining and bloody diarrhea. The organism is widespread - almost all cattle become infected at some time in their lives, although many never show signs of illness. Illness is more common in concentrated livestock operations because there is more opportunity for the environment to become contaminated in large numbers, and for calves to be exposed to large doses of the parasite.Spanish: 

Thursday, February 15, 2024 In this webinar Dr. Halden Clark talks about preventing calf scours and how to use the Sandhills Calving Method. The key to preventing scours in calves is reducing their exposure to the pathogens that cause scours, and coming up with a system to keep newborn calves in clean, dry areas whenever possible. Spanish: 

Strategic planning is a dynamic process that requires continuous adaptation to changing circumstances and is most effective when it includes input from stakeholders, including family, partners, employees, and even customers, suppliers, and buyers. (CAP photo) Center for Agricultural Profitability Director Larry Van Tassell discusses two steps that make planning strategic: defining the mission of the business and assessing the external environment and its implications for the farm business.

The CDFA-NASDA Foundation Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Access to Capital Program will help rural communities understand the myriad of financing programs available to invest in socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and develop long-term access to capital programs and strategies. The program will assist underserved farmers and ranchers with finding affordable funding sources to start and grow their business.

The NFarms initiative at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center will be a test bed for new technologies, as well as platforms to help farmers better harness data. The initiative also will develop innovative decision-making tools that producers can use for efficient field management. Nate Thorson, the program’s research manager, brings experience with both agricultural production systems and software design to the platform. (Photo by Deloris Pittman)

A prolonged polar vortex caused below-average temperatures and above-average precipitation last month, which had the added benefit of improving drought conditions in eastern Nebraska.

Results of the 2022 Census of Agriculture are now available on the USDA NASS website. Though the numbers of farms in Nebraska was down slightly in 2022, the value of ag products has risen by 34% since 2017.

An upcoming four-part extension workshop for women in agriculture will focus on emergency preparedness for rural families. (Adobe Stock photo) Hosted by local extension personnel in five locations across Nebraska, the workshop series will focus on farm and ranch emergency management, first aid, fire protection and hazardous materials.

Young palmer amaranth weed in a field plot at the West Central Research, Education and Extension Center in North Platte. (Photo by Milos Zaric) Extension urges producers to prepare for alternative weed management strategies in 2024 after a federal court ruling cancelled the EPA's 2020 approvals of the dicamba-based herbicides Xtendimax, Engenia and Tavium.

Sawfly traps without the nets stand in wheat fields at the High Plains Ag Lab near Sidney. The traps are part of ongoing research on the wheat stem sawfly. (Photo by Chabella Guzman) The Feb. 15 meeting will include updates on HPAL winter wheat fertility research and alternative crops breeding, wheat stem sawfly initiatives, TAPS wheat contest results, commodity marketing, HPAL 2022 crop production review and more.

Friday, February 9, 2024 University of Nebraska—Lincoln’s beef program will be presenting the latest feedlot-related research findings in meetings across Nebraska in February. Anyone interested is welcome to attend the meetings Feb. 13, 14 and 15 in Bridgeport, Gothenburg and West Point, respectively. “With precision technology and the tools we have available, we can offer producers more scientifically-supported, specific information than ever before,” said Dr. Jessica Sperber, UNL Feedlot Extension specialist and organizer of the event. Spanish: 

The Nebraska Cooperative Development Center (NCDC), a program of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s department of agricultural economics, is seeking applications for its 2024 Cooperative Business Development Mini-grant Program.

Thursday, February 8, 2024 Light precipitation possible through SaturdaySpanish: 

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Feed costs are often the bigest expense for cow-calf producers in Nebraska. Understanding how the cow’s nutrient requirements change throughout the year and how to cost-effectively meet those requirements with the feed resources available can have a big effect on the bottom line.  

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IRS Section 180 allows landowners to treat the residual fertility present in the soil at the time of purchase as a deductible cost. Though the deduction should be filed during the year of land purchase, landowners may be able to file an amended tax return for a previous tax year. It’s important to consult your CPA or tax advisor to understand your options and file accordingly. With recent land purchases, many Nebraska producers are seeking to better understand IRS Section 180 tax deductions. This article provides a review of the tax code and its potential financial implications for landowners of newly acquired land.

Properly testing hay and adjusting mineral and livestock diets during the winter are important steps in minimizing the risk of issues like tetany and nitrate poisoning. Extension educators review factors that affect the success of pasture grazing leases, and how to avoid toxicity and malnutrition through livestock feed during the winter.