Feed aggregator

Following last year's atypical infestation of fall armyworm caterpillars, extension educators urge preparedness in the event of a reoccurrence this fall. Plus — why overgrazing is a good strategy prior to interseeding legumes, and best options for controlling thistle in pastures.

Saturday, October 1, 2022

There are three critical time periods that occur during drought. These are immediately before, during, and following drought. These phases appear to be separate and are usually described as such. However, there is overlap between them that may encompass a period of six to nine months. The goal of drought planning before a drought occurs should focus on reducing the negative impacts that occur during the drought. The goal of drought planning during the drought should focus on short-term and long-term pasture recovery.

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Saturday, October 1, 2022

It seems the year is just flying by with fall already upon us, which means it is about time for the “Fall Run”. Millions of cattle are being transported across the U.S. over many miles. A past Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) surveyindicated that feeder calves traveling to Texas or Nebraska feedyards traveled 468 ± 415 miles.

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Topics covered during the daylong workshop will include livestock risk protection, expectations for the 2023 Farm Bill, outlooks for crop and livestock markets, how crop insurance fraud is investigated, macroeconomic trends and climate trends.

Santosh Pitla poses with the Flex-Ro autonomous tractor in June 2019. (Photo by Greg Nathan, University Communication) The research team is investigating the security and hackability of autonomous farm vehicles and other precision ag equipment using Flex-Ro, the fully autonomous agricultural robot created by UNL's Biological Systems Engineering Department.

Figure 1. Combines can spread weed seeds during harvest, resulting in higher weed pressure. Significant amounts of foreign material accumulates in different parts of a combine, enabling weed seeds to easily spread during harvest; however, weed seed distribution can be reduced by targeting specific areas of the combine for a quick cleanout before and after harvest.

After widespread precipitation in the second half of this week, dry weather and temperatures returning to the 70s and 80s should dominate the last full week of September through the first full week of October.

Extension educators cover the variables involved in testing hay quality and what pests may sneak in with your imported hay — plus, why harvesting some corn a little early might be a good strategy for grazing this year.

There are four dates scheduled for free, in-person farm and ag law clinics in October. 

With drought intensity persisting across Nebraska, there has been no improvement yet this month for pasture and range conditions, which are currently 50% very poor. Crop conditions remained relatively stable as of the Sept. 18 report.

The public has until Oct. 7 to provide feedback on proposed changes to atrazine restrictions, to inform the EPA of knowledge gaps, considerations or concerns that they would like addressed.

Farmers and auto drivers must work together to ensure safe roadways for all this harvest season.

Due to Nebraska's intense drought conditions, which increase the risk for combine fires, Nebraska Extension urges producers to take every precaution available to harvest safely this year. As crop residue starts the majority of combine fires, it's vital to clean equipment every day after harvesting, allow it to cool off before storing inside a machine shed, and avoid harvesting when conditions are at peak risk of fire.

Nutrition Software Used: ESHA Food ProcessorNewsletter/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:

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1 pound potatoes, scrubbed with clean vegetable brush under running water, cut into wedges
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 Tablespoon Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions:

1. Wash hands with soap and water.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
3. Spray a cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Place potato wedges on the cookie sheet.
4. In a small bowl, combine garlic with Italian seasoning and sprinkle half of the mixture over top of the potatoes.
5. Bake for 7 minutes or until they start to brown. Flip the wedges over. Sprinkle with the remaining mixture, and bake for another 7 minutes or until the wedges are browned and cooked through.
6. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
7. Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Category:  Side Dishes Yield: 4 servings Serving Size: 1 cupCalories: 150Total Fat: 0.5Saturated Fat: 0Potassium: 15Total Sugars: 1Iron: 10Vitamin D: 0Calcium: 4Protein: 4Fiber: 2Added Sugars: 0Total Carbohydrates: 34Sodium: 30Cholesterol: 0

Nebraska's crop production forecast as of Sept. 1 reflected a downward trend for corn, soybean, sorghum, sugarbeets and dry edible peas, with the most substantial losses in peas — down 38% from 2021.

Though the beginning of harvest for corn and sorghum is pacing on average, delays continue in dry edible bean production, which is currently 22% behind harvest in 2021.

UNL experts and industry professionals will discuss research and approaches on ag issues such as weed management, nitrogen impacts, groundwater issues, irrigation techniques, crop responses to pests, agtech, digital on-farm research and more.

Extension Educator Allan Vyhnalek reviews key factors in business conversations between landlords and tenants that will lead to more positive outcomes.

Precipitation is forecast to move across Nebraska Sept. 21-24, with another chance of lighter rainfall Sept. 25-28 for the eastern half of the state. Temperatures are expected to cool slightly into the 70s and 80s beginning Sept. 21.

Nebraska experienced the second-driest August on record (0.94 inches), just two years after the driest August on record in 2020 and a mere three years since the wettest on record (5.14 inches in 2019).