Feed aggregator

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.

It’s a good problem to have when your business outgrows your retail space. But it’s still a problem. Jessalyn and Dustin Crawford, owners of Hey Honey Boutique in Ord, Nebraska, recently overcame this challenge.

Saturday, February 3, 2024

In unexpected warm, wet winter conditions cattle face challenges accessing feed, water, or a place to lie down.  Muddy conditions affect requirements for maintenance, according to this UNL study.  Even if feed intake is not affected by muddy conditions (cattle can reach the bunk and water trough and consume a full ration daily), mud depths of less than 9 inches increase maintenance requirements up to 80%.  This means that cattle consuming a finishing diet containing 1 Mcal NEm/lb will require nearly d

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Friday, February 2, 2024

Nebraska beef producers don't often have to deal with managing mud in January and February, but this year's precipitation and unseasonbly warm temperatures have created challenges even for those who often deal with muddy lots.

Here are a few suggestions that may help producers deal with cattle in muddy conditions in the short-term, said Rick Stowell, Extension specialist, UNL biological systems engineering.

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Friday, February 2, 2024 What should Nebraskans know about the weather for the next few weeks? Nebraska Extension Ag Climatologist and "Market Journal" Chief Meteorologist Eric Hunt tells us in the Feb. 2, 2024 episode of Market Journal. Spanish: 

Every year, Nebraska 4-H Month brings thousands of young people, parents, volunteers, and alumni together to celebrate all the ways in which 4-H helps youth find a place where they belong. Across the state, Nebraska 4-H invites community members to celebrate:

• 4-H Spirit Day - Tuesday, February 1, 2024
  • Wear green, the 4-H emblem, or your favorite 4-H T-shirt!
  • Share your 4-H spirit on social media using #NE4HMonth, #iBelong, and #Opportunity4All
• 4-H Volunteer Appreciation Day - Thursday, February 8, 2024
  • Send handwritten thank-you notes or make and deliver 4-H-themed treats or goody bags to your club and project leaders.
  • Shout out your club and project leaders on social media using #NE4HMonth.
  • Nominate your favorite 4-H volunteer for a Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Recognition Award.
• 4-H Supporter Appreciation Day - Thursday, February 15, 2024
  • Ask your local Extension office for the contact information for a 4-H donor and sponsor. Send them a handwritten thank-you note.
• 4-H Give Back to Your Community/Service Day - February 22, 2024
• • Coordinate your own community service project, such as picking up trash, holding a food drive, collecting items for a local shelter, or making care packages. For more inspiration, check out these 4-H civic engagement ideas. After the project is complete, be sure to submit your community service project for a chance to see it showcased by Nebraska 4-H.  
  • Contribute to other groups' community service projects.
  • Volunteer your time with a local non-profit organization.
• Leap Into 4-H Day - Thursday, February 29, 2024
  • Enroll in 4-H for 2024! Youth are invited to join 4-H and complete the annual enrollment process during February. By becoming enrolled members, youth have the opportunity to join a club, exhibit projects at the county and State Fair, participate in contests, and apply for special awards and recognition. Enroll now at 4h.unl.edu/enroll.

Nebraska 4-H Month Photography Contest

Capture moments and showcase your creativity. Submit your photos weekly based on exciting themes. Open to all enrolled 4-H members. Explore your passion for photography and make memories that last a lifetime! 

• Learn More & Submit Your Photos.

Many local celebrations and events will also be hosted throughout the month of February. Contact your local Extension office for more information about local celebrations. 

Nebraska will see mild temperatures continue into next week, with chances of precipitation this weekend and again next Thursday, Feb. 8.

Friday, February 2, 2024

The Cattle Inventory Report comes out twice a year. It contains the inventory numbers for all cattle and calves across the United States. Many look to this report for an indication if cattle producers are finally able to hold on to some heifers for breeding season. Market Journal caught up with Terrain's Chief Research and Analytics Officer, Don Close.

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There are several assistance programs available through USDA that may help producers who have experiences losses due to recent severe winter weather. More information about these programs is available on farmers.gov. Nebraska producers are encouraged to contact FSA to learn about the assistance programs and how to apply, including understanding needed documentation, such as farm records, herd inventory, receipts and pictures of damages or losses.

The National Agricultural Classification Survey seeks to identify individuals who produce and sell $1,000 of more of agricultural products in a calendar year, so that they may participate in the next Census of Agriculture. The survey will go to approximately 250,000 recipients to ask if they conduct agricultural activity to ensure that every U.S. producer has a voice and is counted in the highly anticipated and influential agricultural census data.

The UNL TAPS team is looking for people interested in participating in the inaugural year of the soybean competition. If interested, contact TAPS Program Manager Krystle Rhoades. The new soybean competition will be hosted at ENREEC near Mead, and give participants the opportunity to test a wide range of ag management technologies.

What impact did the polar vortex have on those troublesome agricultural insects that are taking a winter nap? Nebraska Extension Educator Amy Timmerman weighs in.

In her new role, Bathke will lead efforts to complete a report assessing impacts of climate change, requested by the Nebraska Legislature through LB1255 in 2022.

Nebraska broke its own record for warmest December in 2023, as did many other states in the north-central region of the U.S.

A center-pivot irrigation system waters a cornfield near Adams, Nebraska, about 45 minutes south of Lincoln. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing) Researchers involved in the study found that an aquifer’s depletion can curb crop yields even when it appears saturated enough to meet irrigation demands, and yield losses intensify when an aquifer drops below certain thresholds.

The Agricultural Budget Calculator is a free tool to help producers figure machinery field operation and ownership costs. For more, visit the ABC website. (CAP photo) An analysis of field operation costs for newer equipment versus slightly older equipment of similar size and power, which are used to determine costs for planting row crops.