Weekly News and Columns

Week of November 2, 2026

Cuming County 4-H Council

The Cuming County 4-H Council will meet on Thursday, November 12, at 6:00 p.m. in the Cuming County Courthouse Meeting Room. The full agenda for the meeting is available for review at the Extension Office.

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SOURCE: Melissa Hagemeister, Extension Associate 

RELEASE DATE:  October 19, 2026

Seeking Extension Master Gardeners

Seeking volunteers for the 2027 Extension Master Gardener training class! If you or someone you know loves gardening and wants an opportunity to not just learn more but also help your community learn about gardening, please consider joining the Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program. Projects range from managing food donation gardens to native landscape management to answering questions for community clientele and more! Classes are based out of Dodge County Extension in Fremont, but flexible remote learning is possible! Be a part of reinvigorating your community landscape!

There will be an informational meeting for the 2027 class on Thursday, November 19^th at 6:00 p.m. at the Dodge County Extension office in Fremont. Can’t make it in person? Zoom option is available. For more information reach out to Ian Peterson at 402.727.2775 or email at ipeterson4@unl.edu.

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SOURCE: Ian Peterson, Extension Educator

RELEASE DATE:  October 26, 2026

GRAIN SORGHUM RESIDUE GRAZING 

Following grain harvest, sorghum residue can provide a valuable source of fall and winter grazing, particularly for cows in mid- to late gestation.

Sorghum residue will have similar feed value to corn stover and just like corn, sorghum leaves provide the highest quality grazing. However, sorghum stems tend to be slightly more digestible, and its leaves stay attached longer into winter. This makes grazing corn residue first and saving sorghum for later a good option. However, quality still declines over time, and drought stress or disease pressure can reduce it further.

Grain yield provides a starting point for stocking rates. A field yielding 100 bushels per acre may provide about one month of grazing per acre for a 1,200-pound dry cow. Adjust for larger cows and actual forage available.

There are two concerns to keep in mind. First is prussic acid. If sorghum is still green when frost occurs, wait at least seven days after a killing freeze before grazing. Be especially cautious of new regrowth following a light frost.

Second is nitrate accumulation, particularly in drought-stressed plants. Nitrates concentrate in the lower stalks, so avoid forcing cattle to clean up the field. Consider testing questionable residue before grazing.

As grazing continues, be sure to monitor body condition. Forage quality declines as cattle consume the higher value residue, so be ready to move or use a strategy like strip grazing to maintain animal condition while best utilizing the resource.

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SOURCE: Ben Beckman, Extension Educator Livestock Systems

RELEASE DATE: November 2, 2026

LATE FALL RYE PLANTING

When planted early, fall-planted cereal rye can provide excellent late-fall grazing, with more grazing again in the spring. But if corn or soybean harvest delays planting until late October or November, is it too late?

Not necessarily. Cereal rye is our most winter-hardy small grain, and even late plantings can establish and resume growth next spring. However, don't expect much fall grazing. Most of the forage will come next year.

University of Nebraska research at Concord, Mead, and Clay Center found that late-planted rye can still produce spring growth. But in eastern and northeast Nebraska, rye drilled after harvest produced roughly half as much biomass as earlier plantings. And much of that growth didn't come until late April or early May.

If spring grazing is your goal, planting as soon as possible is important. Drill seed for good seed-to-soil contact and consider increasing seeding rates to compensate for reduced fall tillering.

Finally, have a plan for spring grazing and termination. Waiting longer provides more forage but may interfere with planting the next crop or use soil moisture. Be sure to check herbicide grazing restrictions as well.

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SOURCE: Ben Beckman, Extension Educator Livestock Systems

RELEASE DATE: November 2, 2026

Medicare Part D Enrollment Time is Here

It is time to compare—compare your Medicare Part D plan for 2027 to determine which plan will be most economical. The enrollment dates for 2027 Medicare Part D policies are October 15 through December 7; coverage begins January 1, 2027.

By now most individuals have received information from their Medicare Prescription Drug Plans or Medicare Advantage Plans advising them of changes in premiums, deductibles, and drug coverages. However, if you just look at that information you won’t know how your current plan compares with other plans for the prescriptions that you take. 

Plan premiums for 2027 range from $5.30/month to $222.90/month with deductibles ranging from $300 to $700. The least expensive plan for 2027 is Well Care Value Script. You will need to compare and enroll in the plan that is the most economical for you considering all the variables. As you can see there is more changing this season than just the color of the leaves. 

While the premium costs are important, it’s the coverage of the prescriptions you take that really matters as well as the anticipated cost of them throughout the year at the pharmacy you want to use.

Everyone who is currently enrolled in a drug plan, and those who will be new to Medicare beginning in January, should seek a drug plan comparison. Debra Schroeder, Sandy Boots, Carol Kampschnieder, Diane White and Eileen Gentrup trained SHIP Volunteers will be conducting Medicare Part D Drug Plan comparison events in Cuming County. Events will be held at the St Francis Memorial Hospital, Francis Room, at 430 North Monitor West Point. Contact St Francis Memorial Hospital at 402-372-2404 and ask to make an appointment. When scheduling your appointment please indicate if it is for one or two people. Enter through the main entrance of the hospital and clinic. You may come for a face-to-face comparison appointment or work with the SHIP Volunteer via the phone. Appointments will be in the Francis Room on the second floor near the cafeteria. Please bring your current Medicare card, name and premiums of your current Medicare Part D plan and a list of prescription drugs or the actual bottles you take. 

Once you are enrolled in a Part D plan, you can continue coverage with your plan from one year to the next provided the drug plan continues to be offered in Nebraska. However, nearly all drug insurance plans have changes each year which may be in the form of premiums charges, deductibles, co-pay or co-insurance amounts, drugs covered or stipulations you will be subject to before your drug plan will cover a medication you may need. The only way to know if your current drug plan is your best option for 2027 is by having a drug comparison done. There is no cost for this service provided by the volunteers in cooperation with Franciscan Health Care. It is all confidential and once you leave the office, the records are in strictest confidence.

You may also want to contact the SHIP office directly at 1-800-234-7119 for assistance selecting the most economical plan for you for 2027. 

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SOURCE:  Debra E Schroeder, Extension Educator Emeritus

RELEASE DATE:  October 26 – November 17, 2023

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Common Sense Farming and Ranching

Alfredo DiCostanzo, Beef Systems Extension Educator

University of Nebraska

Week of November 2, 2026

Reflecting on beef cow efficiency

If producers are considering herd expansion this fall, perhaps it is a good time to review the concept of beef cow efficiency at weaning. This is a concept readily used to measure performance in feedlots. Much is written about it as it is an indicator of financial performance in feedlots. Yet, we spend little time talking or writing about beef cow efficiency, likely because it is more difficult to measure.

Determining efficiency in beef cows at weaning requires knowledge of her production output (pounds of calf at weaning: total weaning weight of all calves at weaning divided by all cows exposed to breeding, example 550 lb calves weaned by 85 out of 100 cows exposed or 468 lb effective weaning weight) and her input requirements (energy costs to maintain herself, her pregnancy and to produce milk). Of these, weaning weight and weaning rate should be known. Cow body weight can be determined using a scale or by noting weights of cull cows sold at auctions. Some operations measure weight of calves at birth but using a standard value (say 80 lb) would not create a large difference in the efficiency calculation. Obviously, milk production of beef cows is difficult to measure. Weaning weight is not an indication of milk production. So, we must rely on estimates obtained from literature.

If efforts are made to obtain some of these measurements such as cow weight, weaning weight and weaning rate, assumptions of cow maintenance and gestation costs, and of milk production permit calculation of feed efficiency in cow herds. 

A sensitivity table was generated to determine the pounds of forage (say hay containing 60% TDN) required to bring a calf to weaning. The effects of changing weaning rate by 1 percentage unit or milk production by 1 lb daily were then evaluated. A beef cow efficiency report of 15 lb of hay per lb of weaned calf produced in 1984 was used as the reference target. Cow and calf weights were set at 1,310 lb and 547 lb (from our data analysis of USDA cull cow and feeder calf sales from 2019 to 2026), respectively, while milk production and weaning rate were permitted to vary from 6 to 25 lb/day and from 81% to 100%, respectively.

Because modern cows weigh more than those in 1984, and likely milk more, modern cows must wean heavier calves at greater rates with as little milk production as possible. Assuming milk production of 25 lb daily, a modern cow cannot approach a 15-to-1 conversion efficiency even at 100% weaning rate because of the cost of milk production. Cow efficiency equal that of cows in 1984 is achieved by cows producing fewer than 20 lb daily and achieving weaning rates of 85% or more. 

Although much is written about trends in US beef cow size, little time has been devoted to study effects of heavier milking beef cows on their feed requirements. A cow milking 20 lb daily requires 10 pounds of hay to maintain this production. In simple terms, each pound of milk requires 0.5 lb of hay. For a reference, a 1,310-lb cow requires 16 lb of hay for her own maintenance, yet if she is milking 20 lb throughout her lactation, she requires another 10 lb of hay. 

The cost of producing milk demands that cow-calf producers direct selection and herd management towards moderate milk production while preserving reproductive and survival rates to achieve feed efficient herds. 

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Week of October 19, 2026

Yardage revisited

Recently, I was calculating potential returns to retain calves on a backgrounding diet. Hypothetically, calves would be weaned in November and sold sometime in January. Calves would be appraised at $436/cwt as 5-wt and $379/cwt at 7-wt. The gross margin would be $253 per head. 

Whenever we think of these options, the first thing that comes to mind is feed cost. Considering recent corn grain price trends and the effects of drought on forage prices, thinking of feed costs first is important. A diet containing (dry basis) 50% corn grain, 15% distillers grains, 32% hay and 3% supplement would cost $255/ton dry matter. At a rate of gain of 2.38 lb., a steer consuming 17.85 lb. dry matter would require $143 return to pay for the feed. That leaves $110 for the rest of expenses to get this steer to 700 lb.

What all goes into yardage then?  Facilities depreciation, labor, and equipment costs (one could use rental rates to get a direct figure) and interest. 

Using custom rates published by University of Nebraska or other universities, one can get a good idea of the rental rates for equipment needed to feed cattle and manage their pen environment. When the operation has the option to use manure derived from the cattle feeding operation, one can credit the value of manure as fertilizer. Yet, before this is done, the cost of bedding, scraping, and hauling manure must be included.

As the reader may have already determined, determining yardage cost is not easy. This is why I recommend using custom rates and a decent idea of hours involved in various operations around the feedlot to estimate yardage. 

A crude example of the potential misconception in determining yardage cost is derived by simply estimating that it takes about one individual to feed and manage 1,000 head in a feeding operation. If we use custom rates to guide our idea of labor rates, then we simply divide the labor cost for an 8-hour day by 1,000 head for a per head daily yardage cost. Assuming that the payrate for general labor at the feedlot is $20, then the daily labor rate per head is $0.16 ($160 a day divided by 1,000 head). 

Most tractor-driven equipment including mixers, scrapers, payloaders, etc. with 150 or greater HP costs $150/hour to rent. The implement, whether it is a mixer or even a manure spreader, costs about $3,000 a month to rent or close to $20/hour if operated 40 hours a week. So, nearly every hour operating equipment to feed cattle or manage pens costs $170. 

Basing time calculations for feeding or managing pens is not easy for operations feeding fewer than 1,000 head because of the economies of scale. Yet, assuming a 0.25-hour daily feeding schedule and a 0.25-hour cleaning schedule (derived from dedicating 1.75 h a week for cleaning) for every 1,000 head adds $85 daily to yardage or $0.085/head. 

Mileage rates for tractors are between 15 to 20 liters per hour. Using the 0.5 hours estimated above to manage 1,000 head daily results in an additional $54 of cost or $0.05/head.

Lastly, but not least, interest rates are affecting yardage calculations significantly. A $2,500 investment in a calf or yearling will cost $0.30 daily in interest at 8% rate. 

Additionally, producers should consider adding a depreciation figure to yardage calculations to cover repair or replacement costs. The value of this depreciation cost is dependent on replacement cost not on initial cost of the facility. In most cases, depreciating a facility for 20 years with little to no salvage value results in yardage costs of $0.05 to $0.25 depending on the type of facility. 

Adding the components of yardage cost using $0.16 for labor, $0.085 for equipment, $0.05 for fuel, $0.30 for interest, and $0.10 for depreciation results in $0.695 per head. If this value is applied to the example above, then another $44 is subtracted from the remaining margin permitting a net return of $66.

Calculating yardage costs is not easy. Keeping track of hours spent feeding cattle, managing bunks, and using custom rates to determine yardage is a simple alternative to guide this calculation. The alternative to not determining yardage costs is to permit the facility (and ourselves) to be worn out and to lose our capital over the long run.

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Week of October 5, 2026

An update on high-oleic soybeans for cattle

Alfredo DiCostanzo* and Michael Knobbe† 

*University of Nebraska

†Grain States Soya

University of Nebraska Extension held a meeting on agronomic considerations for growing high-oleic(HO)soybeans along with discussions on their use as cattle feed. High-oleic soybeans were developed independently by University of Missouri and USDA ARS (SOYLEIC®) or by DuPont/Corteva (Plenish®) by different approaches. 

The result in either approach is a soybean with similar fat and other nutritional characteristics, which contains a greater concentration of oleic acid. Oleic acid is a fatty acid (a component of fats and oils) believed to have positive health benefits in humans. As a reference, an oil commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine, olive oil, naturally contains high concentrations of oleic acid. Therefore, most of the oil extracted from HO soybeans is destined for human consumption. 

Alternatively, because of increasing demand for spent fats and oils or tallow for biodiesel or renewable fuel production led to price increases for these feed sources, there is increasing interest in growing HO soybeans for animal feed use. Currently, because of contractual growing arrangements, the main uses for HO soybeans are for human consumption or animal feed.

In dairy nutrition, the use of roasted or extruded whole HO soybeans, as replacements for corn and soybean meal, led to increases in milk fat content and milk yield. It is believed that the oleic acid in HO soybeans is less antagonistic to ruminal digestive processes than fatty acids from conventional soybeans. 

Some dairies are opting to install on-farm bean roasters. Alternatively, dairies may purchase roasted HO soybeans from a soybean crush plant such as Grain States Soya. 

Extrusion is a process by which the beans are forced through a drum, a process that generates high temperature for a short period of time. The resulting bean contains the same nutritive value as raw soybeans, but this process destroys compounds in the raw bean that affect digestion. Additionally, roasted or extruded soybean protein is partially protected from microbial activity in the rumen rendering “bypass” or undegradable protein which delivers amino acid profiles resembling those of the original raw soybean to the small intestine for digestion.

Research on HO soybeans in beef cattle is currently underway. The expectation is that the ruminal environment in feedlot cattle will benefit from the oleic acid content of HO soybeans. This would have the potential to improve fiber utilization and efficiency. Also, in some cases where greater protein quality (balanced supply of amino acids) is required, such as in finishing cattle at the end of their feeding period, conventional soybean amino acids protected by roasting or extrusion led to improved performance. 

Key considerations when shifting production of conventional to HO soybeans such as desired plant populations, herbicide type and timing of application, and yield expectations do not change when growing HO soybeans available from DuPont/Corteva (Plenish®). However, there is a specific agreement with Pioneer to grow and market HO soybeans through a local processor (Grain States Soya for example) unless the beans are fed raw or processed on the farm they were produced. 

For additional information on growing and/or feeding Plenish® HO soybeans contact your local Pioneer representative. For information on growing and/or feeding SOYLEIC® HO soybeans, please visit (https://soyleic.com/grow/). Contact Michael at Grain States Soya to learn more about their HO grower program and the HO products they offer.        

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Rural Health

Hannah Guenther, Extension Educator

Week of November 9, 2026

How To Get Mental Healthy 

Being healthy means something a little different for everyone, but for the most part there are some key factors that generally tend to stay the same. To be healthy you need to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, consume whole grains and lean protein, and drink low fat milk. You also need to make sure that you are exercising 3 times a week and getting enough rest all the while drinking water throughout the day. There you have it, the key to healthy success! The only problem with my definition of health listed above is that it is leaving out a key player in overall wellbeing, mental health. There is no denying that our country has been through quite a lot recently. Mental health has never been more important of a priority than it is right now. So today, I am going to share with you some ways to get mentally healthy. 

1. Start Your Day With A Positive Mantra

I hesitate to start with this technique because it can be the most challenging and awkward – but in the same breath it’s the most simple. Start each day with a positive mantra. Say it the moment you wake up or when you see yourself in the bathroom mirror for the first time. It doesn’t have to be anything novel or energized, it can be as simple as “Today will be better” or “It won’t always be like this” or even “I choose to be positive.” Studies have shown that self-affirmation in the form of mantras have improved self-image and overall wellbeing. 

2. Exercise 

When you exercise you not only burn calories and strengthen muscles, but you also release stress reducing endorphins. Endorphins are hormones that are released during exercise that have the ability to alter moods and pain reception. Getting in 30 minutes of exercise each day is recommended and there are so many ways to sneak in exercise throughout the day for a continuous release of endorphins. Start the day with yoga, walk to lunch, and take a stroll around the block after dinner. Add something new to your routine by trying a dance class or walking to a meeting instead of driving. It is also a great time to get outside and soak up some much-needed Vitamin D while exercising. 

3. Eat A Nutritious Meal

When stressed or depressed, it is easy to push your personal needs aside including eating. One of the best things you can do for your mental health is eat nutritiously and consistently. I truly believe that snickers commercial to be true, that you are not you when you are hungry. Try to consume whole grains, lean proteins, and a variety of fruits and vegetables for three meals each day. This will fuel your body and allow you to work and feel better.

4. Go To Bed 

Sleep is so important and the ties between sleep and stress are many. There is research that says that sleep deprivation can lead to increased stress and that increased stress can lead to a lack of sleep. Getting regular and good sleep is a vital aspect of mental health. Some ways to help you fall asleep can include taking a melatonin supplement under doctor supervision, limiting screen time at least an hour before you go to bed, and listing 10 things you’re thankful for. This last one is a personal tactic that was taught to me by my mom, but it works every time. If I am struggling falling asleep, I start with 10 and count 10 things I am thankful for and it works much better than counting sheep. 

The most important thing to remember with all these recommendations is the importance of starting today. Mental health is so important and not something to take lightly. Take some time and start to get mentally healthy today. 

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Week of October 26, 2026

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Early Detection Matters, but So Does What You Do Today. 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and chances are, you know someone whose life has been touched by breast cancer. Maybe it's a family member, a friend, a coworker, or even yourself. In fact, approximately 1 in 3 people in the United States will develop cancer at some point in their lifetime. With statistics like that, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. While that statistic can feel overwhelming, there is also hope in the progress we've made in cancer detection and treatment. But first I want to address the elephant in the article: 

Why Does It Feel Like Cancer Is Everywhere? While rates of certain cancers are increasing, we're also getting better at detecting cancer, treating it, and helping people live longer after a diagnosis. In 1975, there were approximately 3.7 million cancer survivors in the United States. By 2022, that number had grown to 18.1 million, with projections reaching 26 million by 2040! More people are living longer after a cancer diagnosis, and that's progress worth recognizing.

Early Detection Can Make All the Difference: One of our most powerful tools against breast cancer is screening. Mammograms can detect cancer before symptoms appear, often when treatment is more effective and more options are available. In fact, routine mammography has been shown to reduce breast cancer deaths by approximately 20–30%. And when breast cancer is detected before it spreads beyond the breast, the five-year relative survival rate is greater than 99%! Screening guidelines can vary depending on age, personal risk factors, and family history. For women at average risk, the recommendation is a mammogram every two years beginning at age 40. Talk with your healthcare provider about what's right for you.

But What If I’m Not Eligible for Screening? Maybe you're in your 20s or 30s and are not eligible for routine mammograms. Does that mean there's nothing you can do? Absolutely not!

1. Get to know your breasts. Become familiar with how they normally look and feel. Pay attention to changes such as lumps, nipple discharge, skin dimpling, or unusual redness. You don't have to be old enough for a mammogram to have a concern evaluated!
2. Learn your family history. Breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and certain prostate cancers can be linked to inherited genetic changes. Talk with relatives on both sides of your family and share that information with your healthcare provider. Your family history may indicate a need for earlier screening.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is about more than wearing pink. It's about understanding your risk, recognizing changes, and taking action. And don't forget about those whose lives have already been affected by cancer. Reach out to a survivor or someone currently undergoing treatment. A simple message, thoughtful gesture, or offer of support can make a meaningful difference. After all, awareness is important, but action is what truly matters! 

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Week of October 12, 2026

Flipping the Pyramid:  A Breakdown of the New Dietary Guidelines. Part III

Can I just say that I am really proud of myself for sticking to our article series?! I am all for starting a task, but finishing one is not my strong suit, so this is already a win for me. But I digress. 

In the last article, we began looking at how we can take the dietary guidelines and put them into action. As mentioned, these guidelines aren’t simply for health professionals. They’re intended to help all Americans make informed choices about what they eat. Recommendations on paper are one thing figuring out how to use them in your own kitchen is another! 

I ended the article with the recommendation to “Read Your Ingredient List.” This small step is to help you begin to acquaint yourself with what is in the food you are eating. Can you identify what each ingredient is? If the list is long or filled with ingredients you don’t recognize, can’t pronounce, or wouldn’t typically have in your kitchen, look for a simpler alternative. 

Today, we’re going to continue with some simple ways to Turn the Guidelines into Action. 

• Include Fruits or Vegetables at Every Meal. Did you know that about 90% of Americans aren’t eating the daily recommended amount of fruits and vegetables? America, we can do better than this but consuming 3 cups of vegetables can feel like a daunting task. Focus on including fruits or vegetables at every meal. This is a simple actionable item that will help improve your overall consumption. Remember that fresh, frozen, canned, dried, or 100% juice all count as a serving. 
• Eat 2-3 Meals at Home Each Week. I realize that this is easier said than done. With busy schedules, lacking time, lack of resources, and at times lack of culinary knowledge, preparing a meal at home is the last thing we want to do at the end of the day. But the research shows that preparing meals at home improves diet quality, lowers body fat percentage, and reduces the risk of certain chronic diseases. Start by preparing 2-3 meals at home each week and keep it simple! Tacos, hot ham and cheese, chicken and rice, scrambled eggs, or even quesadillas all require minimal time and ingredients.
• “Come to the Table.” This last tip isn’t necessarily referenced in the dietary guidelines but more so comes from personal experience. It is so easy to view dinner as another box to check, but it is so much more than just the physical act of eating. Sitting down at the table with no phones, TV’s or additional distractions has been shown to improve mental health and even improve family relationships. I used to hate that my mom made us sit down at the table each night, but looking back I realized that it set my positive relationship with food in motion. Make it a priority to sit down and eat dinner at the table 1 time this week.

So, there you have it, we have officially flipped the period! From talking through what the guidelines are and how they come to be, to discussing this newest rendition, to finally walking through how to put these guidelines into action, I hope that this series has shed some light on the Dietary Guidelines and made them feel a little more doable in your everyday life.

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