Nebraska Extension Educator - Holt & Boyd Counties - LaDonna Werth
Nebraska Extension Educator - Holt & Boyd Counties - Amy Timmerman
Nebraska Extension Educator - Holt, Boyd, Garfield, Loup, & Wheeler Counties - Bethany Johnston
Nebraska Extension Educator - Brown, Rock, & Keya Paha Counties - Brittany Spieker
Nebraska 4-H Assistant - Holt & Boyd Counties - Debra Walnofer
August 10: DUE: State Fair Online Entries, https://nedom.fairwire.com/
August 24: DUE: Non-Perishable State Fair 4-H Exhibits in your County Extension Office by 4:00pm
August 25: DUE: Perishable State Fair 4-H Exhibits in your County Extension Office by noon
Aug 28 – Sep 7: Nebraska State Fair, Grand Island, NE
Making Back to School COOL!
The short summer months are winding down and the new school year is fast approaching. The return to school is often a time of adjustment for many families. New teacher, new classroom, new classmates, maybe even a new school — these are only a few of the many changes children and families encounter at the beginning of a new school year.
Making a smooth transition between the summer break and the beginning of school can help children feel good about all of the changes, and it will help foster a positive outlook about the coming school year.
Parents play an important role in helping the family adjust to the new routine. Here are some tips to help make this transition more relaxed and enjoyable for everyone.
Establish a routine
Bed times, wake-up times, places for backpacks and important notes, setting a homework schedule — whatever the routine and schedule will be, begin following it at least a week or so before school actually begins. This will help you and your child adjust and make any necessary changes.
Take a school tour
This is especially important if your child is new to the school system or building. Knowing where to go on the first day can relieve a lot of stress.
Meet with your child’s teacher(s)
Introduce yourselves. Discuss what will be happening in the classroom, as well as any special needs or situations your child may have. Find out if there are ways you can help out in the classroom.
Update the school records
Make sure the school has any new phone numbers, changes of address, immunization updates, etc. Having these in an emergency can save precious minutes. If you moved recently, be sure your child knows the new address and phone number as well.
Get all required examinations
Try to schedule appointments for sports physicals, immunizations, dental exams, etc. before school starts. This will help avoid absences from school.
Arrange after-school care
Make necessary arrangements ahead of time and be sure your child knows where he/she will be going and what he/she will be doing after school. It is also a good idea, especially for elementary school students, to inform the teacher of these plans.
Purchase school supplies
Check with your child’s teacher or school for a list of needed supplies and have those ready for the first day so that your child feels prepared.
Create a homework center
Choose a quiet area away from the television or other distractions. Stock it with the supplies needed to complete homework.
Stress the importance of good nutrition
Healthy, well-balanced breakfasts, lunches, snacks and dinners can unleash the brainiac in your child! Studies have shown that good nutrition helps children maintain focus and energy and keeps their moods balanced, all of which are necessary for proper learning.
Source: Angie Fletcher, Human Development Specialist, Douglas County, University of Missouri Extension
New Herbicides for Weed Control in Corn and Soybean Production
Key Takeaways
- New weed management tools: Three new herbicide active ingredients are moving closer to commercialization, offering additional options for managing herbicide-resistant weeds in corn and soybean production.
- Resistance management: New herbicide groups give growers more options to rotate and layer herbicides, helping slow the development of herbicide resistance in weeds such as waterhemp and Palmer amaranth.
- Not available yet: These products are still progressing through the registration process. Watch for final EPA and Nebraska registrations, product labels and availability before planning their use.
Several new herbicide active ingredients are moving one step closer to growers' fields, offering additional tools for managing herbicide-resistant weeds in corn and soybean production.
In its June 2026 registration actions, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) completed registration decisions for several new herbicide active ingredients, and three are particularly relevant for corn and soybean production: diflufenican, epyrifenacil and trifludimoxazin. None are on the shelf yet, but all three are progressing toward the market, and each adds a useful option for managing herbicide-resistant weeds — especially waterhemp and Palmer amaranth.
On the regulatory side, two of the three herbicides — diflufenican (Convintro) and epyrifenacil (Rapidicil) — received EPA registration on June 30, 2026, and trifludimoxazin (Tirexor) advanced through review over the same period.
Together, these herbicides introduce two modes of action — Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) Group 12 and 14 — that could expand options for managing herbicide-resistant weeds.
Diflufenican (Convintro)
A New Site of Action Herbicide
Diflufenican is a WSSA Group 12 herbicide that controls susceptible weeds by disrupting carotenoid production, causing the characteristic bleaching symptoms associated with this herbicide group. It is a soil-applied residual herbicide for preplant and preemergence control of waterhemp, Palmer amaranth and other pigweed species in corn and soybean.
Why this matters: According to EPA, diflufenican is the first effective PDS-inhibiting herbicide for control of pigweeds in corn and soybean — a new site of action for the two crops. Group 12 chemistry has seen little use in Nebraska row-crop systems, so it offers a distinct rotation and tank-mix partner rather than another version of chemistries growers already rely on. Because many Nebraska waterhemp and Palmer amaranth populations are already resistant to multiple herbicide groups (commonly Groups 2, 4, 5, 9 and 27, with Group 14 resistance also documented), this new residual site of action for pigweeds is a valuable addition to preemergence weed management programs.
Epyrifenacil (Rapidicil)
Fast Burndown and Cover Crop Termination
Epyrifenacil is a WSSA Group 14 PPO inhibitor. It is a fast-acting, contact herbicide intended for preplant burndown and cover crop termination, with a broad label spanning field corn, soybean, wheat, canola, fallow ground and non-crop areas. It can provide broad-spectrum control of both broadleaf and grass weeds, including weed populations resistant to older PPO-inhibiting herbicides.
For Nebraska, this is especially relevant as more growers adopt no-till and cover crops, making reliable, fast burndown and cover crop termination increasingly important. The first commercial product containing epyrifenacil (marketed under the Empera brand) is expected in late 2026 or early 2027.
Trifludimoxazin (Tirexor/Voraxor)
A PPO-Inhibiting Herbicide for Burndown and Residual Weed Control
Trifludimoxazin is a WSSA Group 14 PPO inhibitor. Depending on application rate, trifludimoxazin provides residual preemergence control of germinating broadleaf and grass weeds, as well as foliar burndown of emerged weeds. It’s labeled for corn, soybean, cereals and other crops — often as a tank-mix partner (for example, with saflufenacil, marketed as Voraxor).
Trifludimoxazin will come to the market in two forms. Tirexor contains only
Trifludimoxazin — a liquid soluble-concentrate formulation (4.17 pounds active ingredient per gallon). Voraxor pairs trifludimoxazin with saflufenacil (the active ingredient in Sharpen) and is aimed at preplant burndown ahead of corn, soybean and small grains.
What Growers Should Know
- None are available yet. All three herbicides are moving toward market, so none will be on the shelf for use this season. Watch for finalization of EPA registration, Nebraska Department of Agriculture registration, and for the product label before planning any use.
- Expect more complex labels. These new registrations are likely to carry runoff, erosion, endangered species and spray drift requirements. Read the label carefully once products are available.
- The label is the law. Follow the most current EPA- and state-approved label directions.
Source: Ankit Yadav - Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Amit Jhala - Professor and Associate Department Head, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture (CropWatch – August 7, 2026)
Heat Stress in the Pasture
Heat stress is often talked about with feedlot cattle, but animals on pasture can be at risk too. All livestock can struggle when high temperatures, humidity, low wind, and warm nights stack together.
During a heat wave, water is the first place to start. During hot weather, livestock water demand can increase quickly. Check water sources before a heat event, not after animals are already stressed. Make sure tanks are clean, water flow is adequate, and animals have enough space to drink without crowding. Weak flow or limited tank space can lead to bunching, and bunching adds heat.
Shade can help, but only if it is used well. Natural shade from trees can be valuable, but it can also concentrate animals in one area. If shade is limited, cattle may bunch tightly, reduce airflow, damage grass, and avoid grazing. When possible, make sure water, shade, and grazing areas are not pulling livestock into one small spot during the hottest part of the day.
Air movement is also important. Wind helps animals cool themselves. Pastures with draws, heavy tree cover, or low areas may have less airflow, especially on still, humid days. Watch where animals are spending time and whether they have room to spread out.
Fly control also plays a role. Flies and other pests can cause cattle to bunch, stomp, and stand instead of grazing or resting. Good fly control will not eliminate heat stress, but it can reduce one more reason animals crowd together.
Finally, avoid handling, hauling, or rotating livestock during the heat of the day. If animals need to be moved or worked, do it early in the morning and keep it quiet and low stress.
Signs of heat stress include open-mouth breathing, heavy salivation, restlessness, bunching, and crowding around water or shade. Once severe signs appear, options are limited.
Source: Ben Beckman - Nebraska Extension Educator (BeefWatch – August 1, 2026)
