By Gary Stone, Nebraska Extension Educator/Chabella Guzman, PREEC Communications
Local Interest
By Ryan Benjamin, Nebraska Extension Educator-Beef Systems
As we come into early April, it is important to take time to think about rangeland and pasture conditions and make sure grazing plans are ready for the growing season in 2024. Much of the state has seen close to normal precipitation since October 1 (current water year). However, parts of the state, especially counties in the south and east of the state, that experienced drought last summer are still experiencing drier than normal conditions.
The annual Nebraska Tractor and Equipment safety certification course with hands-on safety will be held in June at Gordon and Gering. The course is hosted by Nebraska Extension and Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Public Health.
Federal law prohibits children under 16 from using certain equipment on a farm unless their parents or legal guardians own the farm. The certification course allows 14- and 15-year-olds to drive a tractor and certain mechanized equipment.
By Gary Stone, Nebraska Extension Educator
The Yonts Water Conference will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at the Panhandle Research, Extension, and Education Center, in Scottsbluff. The morning begins at 8:30 a.m. with registration.
The conference will begin at 9 a.m. with Dr. Xin Qiao, Nebraska Extension water and irrigation management specialist. He will discuss ways to improve irrigation efficiencies and give a research update on new irrigation technologies.
By Chabella Guzman, PREEC Communications Specialist
Nebraska’s only Sewing Lab opened to the public on Jan. 22 at the UNL Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center, PREEC, in Scottsbluff. The lab is the 4-H Lego Club Panhandle Cookie Bytes, Innovation Project, which is a part of the Nebraska FIRST LEGO® League Competition.
“This year, First Lego League's goal was to promote the arts through STEM,” said Natalie Creech, Scottsbluff 4-H leader. So, the kids chose to do sewing. We evaluated their hobbies and made spidergraphs (like treegraphs) to weigh out the options, and sewing came out on top.” Then, the club realized they could best serve the community by creating a sewing lab.
With the recent warm weather in Western Nebraska, army cutworms have been spotted in southern Sioux County and central Lincoln County. With spring approaching, this pest may be seen in Nebraska crop fields in the near future. It is an important time to scout for army cutworm, particularly in winter wheat and alfalfa.
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Summer course for Part 107 Remote Pilot Exam Prep offered in Scottsbluff
May 30, 2024
Nebraska Extension will offer one-day (eight-hour) courses across the state to prepare individuals to pass the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aeronautical Knowledge Exam required to receive a Part 107 remote pilot certification or license to fly drones for commercial applications.
2024 Nebraska Soil Health School has successful launch
May 9, 2024
The first installment of a planned 2024 Nebraska Soil Health School series was held on April 24 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln High Plains Ag Lab in Sidney, Neb. The event addressed the semi-arid Panhandle climate and potential management practices for soil health and had over 60 attendees.
Building Bridges in Conservation: Nebraska hosts inaugural natural resources workshop
April 15, 2024
Overlooking the iconic Platte River, over 100 natural resource professionals and students met to build and foster new collaborations at the first Natural Resources Conservation Connecting Points Workshop.
Engaging Agriculture: Embryology a classroom springtime favorite
April 1, 2024
Spring is here, and Nebraska elementary students are busy learning about embryology.