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To submit a request for USDA FSA assistance, producers should contact their local USDA Service Center. USDA FSA's website features the Loan Assistance Tool, an interactive online, step-by-step guide that assists producers through the farm loan process.

Although field operation costs are projected higher for 2024, some material input costs are lower than were projected for 2023, due in part to fertilizer prices and continued improvement of application practices. (Center for Ag Profitability photo) Glennis McClure, Nebraska Extension educator and farm and ranch management analyst, reviews her projections for cost of crop production increases in 2024.

Drought has enhanced this month in sections of southern and eastern Nebraska, but a storm early next week may bring relief

This year's program will assist producers with making decisions for the 2024 growing season, as well as renewing their private pesticide applicator licenses. In its seventh year, Nebraska Extension's Confronting Cropping Challenges program will help producers in northeastern Nebraska with current and emerging cropping issues.

Twelve Nebraska 4-H members traveled to the 2023 North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky, to participate in national 4-H livestock competitions. In addition to the memories of a once-in-a-lift experience, youth brought home top awards. 

Livestock Judging

Nebraka's livestock judging team included Jaylea Pope from Revenna, Breanna Bosshamer from Amherst and Hannah Herrick from Amherst. The team earned ninth place in hogs, 10th place in sheep, and 10th place in goats. Jaylea Pope earned first place overall, first place in reasons, first place in sheep, first place in goats, second place in hogs, and 10th place in cattle.

The team was coached by Lauren Miller. 

Livestock Skillathon

Nebraska's Livestock Skillathon team members included Bart Beattie from Sumner, Jacie Wolfinger from Lexington, Jaelin Wolfinger from Lexington, Parker Walahoski from Overton, and Spencer Walahoski from Overton. The team earned fourth place. Spencer Walahoski earned eighth place overall individual. Jacie Wolfinger earned 13th place overall individual.

The team was coached by Taryn Vonderschmidt. 

Livestock Quiz Bowl

Nebraska's Livestock Quiz Bowl team included Gracie Wagoner from Shelton, Justine Pope from Revenna, Mason Janda from Revenna, and Skyler Summers from Gibbon. Mason Janda earned ninth place overall individual. 

The team was coached by Jeanne Pope. 

Nebraska 4-H members earn opportunities to compete in national 4-H livestock contests through the Nebraska 4-H Premier Animal Science Event held in June each year. To learn more, visit 4h.unl.edu/pase. 

Part one of a two-part series from Cornhusker Economics, this article describes the approach taken to understand how tractor fuel efficiencies have evolved since the introduction of EPA tiers. The second part of the series will identify the impact of EPA tiers on fuel efficiency through an econometric analysis. Cornhusker Economics experts examine the impact of fuel efficiencies as exhaust emission standards evolved in stringency from their beginning in 1996 to today’s standard.

Landowner who are interested in claiming deductions via Section 180 should consult with their CPA or tax advisor. (Center for Ag Profitability photo) With recent land purchases, some are asking questions to learn more about IRS Section 180 and how it may provide tax deductions in the year of purchase.

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln welcomes Tyler Quick as the newest Extension instructor with Rural Prosperity Nebraska, the community development arm of Nebraska Extension. Born and raised in Alliance, Quick feels rural Nebraska is part of who he is. As a Rural Prosperity Nebraska Extension instructor, Quick will work with communities in Blair, Burt, Douglas, Dodge, Sarpy, Saunders and Washington counties. Here’s a little bit about him.

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Now is the best time of year to begin your soybean cyst nematode management program — watch this episode of N Field to learn more about SCN testing and management best practices.

Learn more about the benefits and process of direct harvesting, a method favored by a growing number of western Nebraska producers for their upright bean varieties.

For producers interested in attending both extension workshops on Nov. 30, Saving by Using Manure on Crops will be immediately followed by Confronting Cropping Challenges at the Nielsen Center in West Point. During this highly interactive workshop, participants will learn the basics of how to sample manure and soil, decipher results to determine the available nutrients in manure, and calculate how much manure will be needed for next year's crop.

Nebraska's David Holding sorts popcorn on a light table in his Beadle Center lab. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing) A UNL research team has naturally bred new varieties of popcorn that outperform today’s most popular kernels in their intrinsic nutritional value and taste.

Free to attend, registration for the Nov. 21 workshop in Harrison is required. See details below. (Photo by Chabella Guzman) Set for Nov. 21, the workshop will feature discussion from Nebraska Extension Educator Jessica Groskopf, who will offer tools and strategies to create estate plans while avoiding common mistakes during the process.

Land Management Quarterly, presented by the Center for Ag Profitability, is free to attend and recorded for on-demand viewing. Watch previous recordings here. The November Land Management Quarterly webinar will cover recent findings from the 2023 USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service county-level cash rent survey and trends in farm programs influencing operations across the state.

As rain, snow and wind throughout the fall and winter can reduce cornstalk quality, it's important for producers to adjust their supplementation programs accordingly. Extension educators review the impacts of weather on cornstalk quality and the benefits of grazing corn residue for both cattle and crop producers.

Historical crop production reports for Nebraska are available at USDA. Nebraska crop production forecasts continue to indicate a banner year for sorghum, at a 153% increase compared to 2022. Corn, sugarbeet and potato production is also up, while soybean production is slightly down.

Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA. Soil moisture supplies and pasture conditions in Nebraska were on a downward trend as of Nov. 12. Corn and sorghum harvest remain on track, with less than 10% of each crop to be finished.

A section of field from a 99-acre plot in southwest Nebraska, which has experienced significant yield decline after terraces were built. In this article, Soil Health Exchange professionals identify some of the potential causes and solutions for low-yielding terraced fields. (Submitted photo) The Soil Health Exchange team shares insights and potential solutions for a southwest Nebraska farmer who has observed a significant yield decline in a field after terraces were built in 2010.

With the goal of re-invigorating rural communities following the pandemic, STEM CARES addressed the needs of communities across the state, provided paid jobs and professional development for teens, and delivered high-quality learning experiences to children. STEM CARES engaged young people across 21 counites through after-school programs, day care centers, summer school programs, 4-H clubs, and libraries. The program was provided at no cost to parents or program providers through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic (CARES) Act funding.

STEM CARES implemented a multitiered model of education that engaged young people of all ages as learners, instructors, and leaders.

In seven seasons of programming, STEM CARES engaged nearly 1,500 children in high-quality, hands-on science, technology, engineering and math experiences. 92% of children said they learned new things about science, and 81% said they learned new things about engineering. STEM CARES offered four curriculum options consisting of six lessons each. Curriculum options included Garden Engineering, The Power of the Wind, Mechanical Engineering, and Slime Engineers. The program providers selected the curriculum topic based on their community's needs.

Teens, hired as instructors, facilitated all the programming. Before engaging with learners, teens participated in approximately six hours of training to grow their skills working with elementary students in informal settings. Teens developed a greater sense of community and explored potential careers. They gained real-world experience in child development, child care, or STEM-related careers, and many expressed an interest in teaching or working with youth as a significant part of their future career goals.

“Having this teaching experience and time working with youth were very beneficial to me as I am pursuing a degree to be an art teacher,” shared a program instructor from Hamilton County.

University of Nebraska–Lincoln undergraduate students served as mentors to the teen facilitators. As instructional leaders, the college students provided ongoing support, guidance, and reflection opportunities for the teens. Instructional leaders also participated in training and received continued support from Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development faculty. The undergraduate students developed their skills around facilitation, STEM-related content, and communications.

"My instructional leaders were very helpful in many ways, but I think the most helpful thing they provided for my learning was the way they taught," shared one teen instructor. "They made sure we understood the lessons they were teaching us, and if we didn't, they would explain it in a way that could help us understand it."

STEM CARES was developed by Nebraska 4-H in collaboration with Beyond School Bells. For more information, visit 4h.unl.edu/stem-cares.

Most rural Nebraskans see a lack of affordable child care options in their communities and believe that increasing access should be a high priority, according to the 2023 Nebraska Rural Poll.

Sixty-one percent of rural Nebraskans surveyed agree that there is a shortage of affordable child care options in their community, while just 6% disagree. Fifty-nine percent also agree their community needs more before- and after-school options.