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This article was first published as part of the UNL Department of Agricultural Economics weekly Cornhusker Economics series on Nov. 29, 2023. 

A water-saving strategy, deficit irrigation represents an important concept in managing water use through irrigation as groundwater depletion rises across the U.S. Cornhusker Economics experts examine the financial impact on producers of using a deficit irrigation strategy in corn.

Mild temperatures and dry conditions are expected for Nebraska again next week, but chances are increasing for a storm to bring rainfall and snow to the state around Christmas.

All UNL Soil Health events include information from projects across the state, either on research or producers’ fields, empowering Nebraska producers with cutting-edge soil health practices. The 2024 Soil Health Conferences will take place in West Point and Hastings, offering the latest advancements and research in soil health and cover crop practices.

With a growing population, growing demand for resources and increasing disruptions to water and food systems, it is vital to find sustainable and practical ways to overcome food and water security challenges. (IANR News photo) The Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute's recent report highlights numerous initiatives in ongoing water management advances, including a water and nutrient application decision-support tool for farmers.

Incorporating the possibility of disability into your estate plan requires professional legal assistance, so it's critical to discuss these issues with your attorney and financial advisor as part of the process. (Center for Ag Profitability photo) Labor contingency plans, emergency funds, buy-sell agreements, insurance — there's many factors to consider when preparing for a potential disability on the farm. Read this article for more on what to expect of the process.

Patricio Grassini, professor of agronomy and horticulture at Nebraska, is co-leading a two-year project to compile and analyze a comprehensive inventory of global data on potassium for major crop systems around the world. (Photo by Alyssa Amen, NUtech Ventures) Potassium-related crop challenges remain poorly understood in many crop-growing regions. A new joint research initiative aims to fill in these knowledge gaps to help producers understand and address potassium deficiencies.

Nebraska Extension's nutrient management calendar includes all records required for operations permitted for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and has been approved by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE). The nutrient management calendars can help producers keep records of manure handling and the weather that affects its application on the land, as well as yield and fertility records for those fields.

In a new user-friendly format, UNL's updated nitrogen tool is now accessible via mobile devices, for use anywhere on the farm. Available now on CropWatch, the web-based tool allows users to input data for individual fields to help fine-tune their nitrogen applications, and maximize yield and profitability.

There are many factors to consider when deciding who should bear the cost of water for cattle grazing cornstalks — Nebraska Extension's NebGuide EC821 can help producers and landowners calculate the costs and come to an equitable solution. See below for more. Extension insights on calculating the cost of water for cattle grazing on cornstalks and risks associated with cattle ingesting twine or net wrap in hay feed.

Participants in the 2023 TAPS Competition tackled some atypical challenges during this year's contest, from hail damage in corn plots to irrigation issues in sorghum. Contestants' strategies to overcome these and other production issues throughout the growing season will be shared during the awards banquet on Jan. 13 in Kearney. The seventh annual TAPS Competition awards banquet will showcase how participants managed their plots throughout the 2023 growing season amid numerous production challenges.

Thirteen Nebraska 4-H members traveled to the 102nd National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, GA, held November 24-28, 2023. This year’s conference theme — “Unforgettable Past, Innovative Future” — focused on leadership, citizenship, global awareness, and inclusion.

National 4-H Congress is the premier leadership event for 4-H members between the ages of 15 and 19 years of age. Nebraska delegates are selected for the trip to National 4-H Congress by submitting an Achievement Application for state competition.

Nebraska 4-H members joined youth from across the nation which brought together over 800 young people from across the country. Youth participated in service-learning projects, international education, and a variety of workshops to expand their skills while being inspired to make an impact on their club, community, and country.

"My favorite part was the community service that we did -- there were a bunch of community service projects that everyone at the conference did," shared Kaylee Powell, a 4-H participant in Hall County. "I was able to go with a bunch of other 4-H'ers, and also another Nebraska 4-H'er, and we went into a local elementary school and taught 4th grade math. So that was cool to bring skills that we had, here from Nebraska, and take it to students there."

The group, made up of high school students and a few college freshmen, attended numerous educational workshops, cultural events, and completed service-learning projects while in Atlanta. Attendees heard nationally known speakers, including Amberly Snyder, motivational speaker and barrel racer; Dan Clark, New York Times Best Selling Author; Chris Boleman, CEO & President of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo; and Dr. Dionne Toombs, Associate Director for Programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture; among others.

"At 4-H Congress, I learned a lot about community and leadership skills. We did a lot of workshops together -- a lot of team building and practicing communication skills," said Austin Kamm, a 4-H participant in Cuming County.

Highlights of the five-day trip included a tour of Atlanta, visits to the Atlanta History Center, Martin Luther King, Jr. Visitor Center, Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta Zoo, World of Coke, the College Football Hall of Fame, and other attractions. Youth were accompanied by Nebraska 4-H Extension Educator, Dawn Lindsley, and Martin Wiese, a 4-H volunteer from Dodge County.

For more information National 4-H Congress, please visit 4h.unl.edu/congress.

Results from the 2024 Custom Rates Survey will be published by second quarter of 2024. The survey includes spring and summer operations such as tillage, planting and haying in part one, and part two surveys operations typically done in the fall, including grain harvest, hauling, cutting ensilage, hauling livestock and other miscellaneous operations.

Most rural Nebraskans report being unfamiliar with the Farm Bill and federal agricultural policy, according to the 2023 Nebraska Rural Poll.

Two-thirds of rural Nebraskans surveyed are either very unfamiliar (43%) or somewhat unfamiliar (23%) with federal ag policy. Twenty-seven percent are somewhat familiar, and only 7% report being very familiar.

One of the cheapest natural sources of protein, alfalfa hay is highly digestible and can increase consumption of low-quality feeds, making it a great supplement for winter diets. Extension insights on grazing crop residue following fertilizer applications and using alfalfa as a protein supplement in winter feed.

Cold temperatures have come, the garden has frozen, the leaves are falling, and outdoor activities are coming to an end. It may be a good time to start planning.

Long term planning is very important to communities. I’m not just talking about a comprehensive plan that is required for grant applications. I’m talking about planning on what you want your community to look like in the future.

The annual Crop Production Clinics are customized to address topics specific to the diverse growing areas across Nebraska, allowing attendees to engage with research-based information on the issues that may be faced locally. The 2024 Crop Production Clinics will provide Nebraska producers with research and training on management of soil fertility, water and irrigation, insect pests, plant diseases, weeds, cropping systems, and agribusiness concerns.

Personal observations are often obscure to the facts. For instance, recently I worked at a booth at Husker Harvest Days. The booth focused on rural community development. My observations were that many of the agricultural producers decided to not stop at our booth or for those who did stop, conversations showed a disconnect of the importance of their local community to their farm operations. Similarly, when working with communities, I have observed the lack of understanding of the importance of the agricultural producers to the local community’s well-being.

Nutrition Software Used: ESHA Food ProcessorNotes: 

Portion into ½ cup servings and pack in to-go containers or zip-top bags.

Newsletter/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:

• 1 cup unsalted nuts (peanuts, walnuts, almonds, pecans, cashews)
• 1 cup unsalted seeds (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds)
• 1 cup unsweetened dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, mango, bananas, pineapple)
• 1 cup unsweetened cereal (oatmeal, rice or wheat square-shaped cereal, circle-shaped cereal)

Directions:

1. Wash hands with soap and water.
2. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
3. Store in an air-tight container, in a cool, dark place. For maximum freshness, consume within 3 months.

Category:  Snacks Yield: 8 servings Serving Size: 1/2 cupCalories: 210Total Fat: 13Saturated Fat: 1.5Potassium: 2Total Sugars: 16Iron: 10Protein: 4Fiber: 2Added Sugars: 0Total Carbohydrates: 22Sodium: 15Cholesterol: 0Vitamin C: 2Photo by Marusa Jonas

It's critical to properly store your leftover pesticides during the winter to retain effectiveness, and checking the label is the first step. Watch this N Field for more pesticide considerations as the temperatures drop.