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UNL Extension professionals provide insights on timing and volume of herbicide applications for interseeded cover crops that may help producers avoid germination and plant establishment issues.

UNL experts share recommendations for calculating the amount of nitrate-nitrogen in irrigation water and optimal timing of applications to reduce the cost of nitrogen inputs this growing season.

Industry experts shared snowpack/snowmelt runoff estimates for the upper North Platte River basin and updates on UNL irrigation management research and progress of replacing the Goshen/Gering-Ft Laramie tunnels that collapsed in 2019.

This new series by Nebraska Extension Educator Gary Stone highlights the main rivers and their impacts across the Midwest and Northern Plains.

The May webinar will examine the latest average cash rental rates in the state as reported in the recently released Nebraska Farm Real Estate Report and offer insight on adjusting rental rates considering high commodity prices this year. The May 15 webinar is free and will give attendees the opportunity to submit land management questions for the presenters to answer during the presentation.

For maximum season production, the first alfalfa cutting typically requires six to seven inches of water — if soil profiles are currently very dry, spring irrigation should be considered. This week — Strategies for irrigating alfalfa in early season dry soil conditions, grazing to control abundant weed growth due to drought and forming a drought plan.

Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA. Corn planting got underway last week in Nebraska, and USDA NASS estimates oat planting is more than 50% completed.

Historical potato stocks data for Nebraska is available at USDA. April 1, 2023 potato stocks were the lowest since 2017, when a record low of 1.7 million cwt was set.

Advanced demonstrations, innovative research and a panel discussion will be just a few of the educational opportunities offered at the second Nebraska Soil Health School on June 27-28 in North Platte. Registration is due June 20 for the second Nebraska Soil Health School to be hosted June 27-28 at the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center in North Platte.

In observance of the Week of the Volunteer, Nebraska 4-H is proud to celebrate some of the 2023 Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Award Winners.

Joelle Wacker is receiving the Emerging Adult Volunteer Award for Zone 7. Judy volunteers with the Polk County 4-H program and was nominated by Colleen Pallas, Nebraska Extension Assistant in Polk County.

Joelle has a passion for the Quilts of Valor program. In 2020, she volunteered to coordinate the Polk County 4-H Quilts of Valor program. She has spent the last three years leading workshops and helping youth create quilts that they then donate to local veterans. During her time as program coordinator, Polk County 4-H members have completed and donated thirty Quilts of Valor. She is currently helping another ten members create quilts that will be finished this spring.

"Most of the 4-Her’s attending the workshops agree that presenting their Quilt is the best part of the project," said Pallas.

While quilting can be costly, Joelle works to ensure this is not a barrier for youth. She collects donations to reduce or even eliminate costs for members and recruits volunteers to help prepare materials. 

"These youth learn new sewing skills as most have never quilted before," said Pallas. "They also learn compassion and the importance of community service through the time and effort it takes just to make one quilt, which can equal ten plus hours, only to turn around and give their Quilt of Valor away to a veteran."

Tell us about yourself.

I grew up participating in Box Butte County 4-H from age 8 to 18. After my husband finished his service with the U.S. Navy, we knew we wanted to raise our kids in Nebraska and I wanted them to be part of a 4-H program. We settled in Shelby and are involved in Polk County 4-H.

I organize a Quilts of Valor workshop for Polk County 4-Hers each spring, I help with Blossomfield 4-H Club, and I am the current president of Polk County's Extension Board. Outside of 4-H, I volunteer within Shelby's American Legion Auxiliary Post 296, Sacred Heart Church in Shelby, Aquinas Catholic Schools in David City, and I lead the Stars, Stripes, and Stitches Quilts of Valor group.

What do you look forward to when you step into your volunteer role?

I enjoy helping 4-Hers grow and learn, especially through sewing as it stretches your mind.

What is your favorite memory as a 4-H volunteer?

Seeing the accomplishment on a 4-Her's face when they complete a whole quilt top at our Quilts of Valor workshop.

How have you helped youth find their spark through 4-H?

I'm hoping that in providing 4-Hers with a chance to learn more about sewing and quilting by creating a Quilt of Valor to award to a military veteran, I will help spark both their creativity and their patriotism.

Twenty-two adult volunteers from across the state, as well as one youth member and one family, are being recognized with Nebraska 4-H Volunteers Awards. 

The Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Awards recognize individuals who are making significant and lasting impacts in their local 4-H community. Recipients serve in a variety of roles, such as club and project leaders, fair superintendents, workshop instructors, and council members. Award recipients were selected based on the information provided by nominators. 

Recipients are recognized as part of Nebraska 4-H's Week of the Volunteer celebration, and awards will be presented during the 2023 Nebraska State Fair. 

The Vrbka, Ott, and King families from Polk County are receiving the Multi-Generation Family of Volunteers Award. Family members include:

• Ray & Betty Vrbka
• Susan Ott
• Angie King
• Stacy Stewart
• Chase King
• Ashley Robbins
• Helen Bender
• Haley Teten
• Cecelia King
• McKenna & Alexa Stewart

This award recognizes a family with at least three generations of active 4-H volunteers.

Lindsay Mendenhall from Chase County is receiving the Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award. This award recognizes 4-H member, ages 14-18, who has made a meaningful impact on their local community.

Eleven adults are receiving Emerging Adult Volunteer Awards. These awards recognize current volunteers who have served less than three years in their local 4-H community. One individual is recognized for each Nebraska Extension Engagement Zone. Recipients include:

• Jackie Simonson, Sheridan County
• Chelsea Sallach, Wheeler County
• Chase Prentice, Lincoln County
• Steve Dirgo, Gosper County
• John Broderson, Cedar County
• Keith Umstead, Nance County
• Joelle Wacker, Polk County
• Michael Bracht, Burt County
• Allison Walbrecht, Lancaster County
• Kristina Woods, Fillmore County
• Micah Scholl, Pawnee County

Eleven Individuals are receiving Outstanding Adult Volunteer Awards. These awards recognize current volunteers who have served more than four years in their local 4-H community. One individual is recognized for each Nebraska Extension Engagement Zone. Recipients include:

• Sally B. Bryner, Box Butte County
• Judy Rath, Thomas County
• Nancy Lashley, Logan County
• Arlys Cupp, Chase County
• Chris Redding, Antelope County
• Sue Hornickel, Valley County
• Janet Stutzman, Seward County
• Robert Stoddard, Washington County
• Harry Mulhbach, Lancaster County
• Alan & Kaye Mussman, Thayer County
• Sherlyn Damme, Otoe County

For more information about the Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Awards, please visit 4h.unl.edu/volunteer-recognition. 

Nebraska drought conditions on March 28, 2023. (Source: National Drought Mitigation Center) March precipitation did little to stymie ongoing drought in Nebraska, with large swaths of the northeast, southwest and Panhandle remaining in extreme and exceptional drought conditions.

To find 2023 loan rates in your county, visit the Farm Service Agency (FSA) website. National loan rates for 2023 crop year wheat, feed grains and oilseeds remained unchanged from 2022 crop year levels.

The root system of a three-week-old corn plant processed through a computer vision pipeline used to automatically measure different root system architecture traits. (Photo courtesy Nebraska Today) The research team hopes to speed the development of new corn varieties that can tolerate changes in extreme weather conditions and management practices as Nebraska farmers adapt to growing water restrictions and ever higher fertilizer prices.

USDA representatives join UNL experts in this webinar to provide an in-depth analysis of the CRP, including eligibility requirements, enrollment procedures and program guidelines. In this webinar, USDA experts highlight what the Conservation Reserve Program is, how it works, and reviews answers to frequently asked questions about the program to give producers a better understanding of their eligibility status and enrollment requirements.

Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA. As of April 9, oat planting in Nebraska was well behind last year's pace while winter wheat condition dropped slightly.

Though the farm finance and ag law clinics are offered monthly at sites across Nebraska, remote sessions are another option — call the number below to arrange a one-on-one meeting via phone or virtual platform. Nebraskans can attend one of the three dates scheduled for free, in-person farm and ag law clinics in April or call to arrange a virtual/phone appointment.

Laura Thompson, director of the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network, makes a presentation at the Commodity Classic in Orlando, describing the benefits to producers from sensor-supported field management. The UNL presentations were in collaboration with NASA. (Photo by Nate Thompson) Faculty members Laura Thompson and Laila Puntel discussed how innovative research at UNL, in partnership with Nebraska producers, is increasing ag production efficiency and profitability, and decreasing its environment impacts.

Stapleton farmer Jon Walz's on-farm research in 2021-22 focused on testing two nitrogen efficiency technologies. Because of this research, Walz was able reduce his nitrogen applications without losing yield, and increase profit. (Photo courtesy Nebraska On-Farm Research Network) Studies are getting underway for the 2023 growing season, but there's still time and availability for Nebraska farmers who are interested in conducting on-farm research this year.