Week of June 15, 2026
Cuming County 4-H Youth are Invited to the Wisner Lions Club Rodeo
The Cuming County 4-H Council would like to invite all active Cuming County 4-H members to the Wisner Lions Club Rodeo, Wisner River Park, on Friday, June 26. Youth wearing an official Cuming County 4-H t-shirt will be admitted at no charge. Sponsored by the Cuming County 4-H Council.
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SOURCE; Melissa Hagemeister, Extension Associate
RELEASE DATE: June 15, 2026
Cuming County 4-H Culinary Challenge & Cook-Off Contest
Entries for the Culinary Challenge and Cook-Off Contest are due Monday, July 20th by 12:00 noon. All recipes will be uploaded in the google form. Registration is: https://go.unl.edu/culinaryandcookoff
The contests will be held on Thursday, June 23rd beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Wisner-Pilger High School. We will begin with the Culinary Challenge & Cook-Off Contest will follow. Ribbons will be awarded at the conclusion of the events. For more information on rules and scoresheets, please visit cuming.unl.edu.
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SOURCE; Melissa Hagemeister, Extension Associate
RELEASE DATE: June 9, 2026
This year’s 4-H Clover Kid Camp will be held on Monday, July 6th. Check-in will be 8:30 – 8:45 a.m. and the camp will begin at 8:45 a.m. and conclude at noon. Registration is due Thursday, July 16th and due online by 4:30 at: https://go.unl.edu/cloverkidcamp
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SOURCE; Melissa Hagemeister, Extension Associate
RELEASE DATE: June 9, 2026
- If you are interested in the Fremont 4-H Expo Ambassador program, please get your applications submitted by Friday, June 19th. The deadline for submission is JUNE 19
- Application Link below: https://go.unl.edu/ambassador2026
- The Fremont 4-H Expo Shooting Sports contest will be held on July 10 at Christensen Field in Fremont. This year’s contest will feature BB Gun and Air Rifle competitions each divided into three age categories. The registration DEADLINE is July 1
- There have been a few schedule changes for the 2026 Fremont 4-H Expo so make sure you check out the 2026 Schedule!
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SOURCE: LISA Poppe, Extension Educator
RELEASE DATE: June 8, 2026
Summer annual forages such as sudangrass, sorghum-sudan hybrids and pearl millet planted this spring soon could be ready to graze. There are some grazing guidelines to help avoid potential hazards.
The first guideline is to never turn hungry animals into sudangrass or sorghum-type pastures. The reason why is because they may eat so rapidly that they could get a quick overdose of prussic acid and die. All sudangrass and sorghum-type hybrids can produce a compound called prussic acid that is potentially poisonous. Prussic acid, which also is called cyanide, is nothing to fear, though, as long as you use a few precautions to avoid problems.
The highest concentration of prussic acid is in new young shoots, so let your grass get a little growth on it before grazing to help dilute out the prussic acid. Let sudangrass get 15 to 18 inches in height before grazing. Sorghum-sudan hybrids usually have a little more prussic acid risk, so wait until they are 18 to 24 inches tall.
Pearl millet does not contain prussic acid so if you plant millet these grazing precautions aren’t needed. Pearl millet can be grazed when it reaches 12 to 15 inches tall.
Nitrates also can accumulate in these grasses, particularly when there are droughty conditions and/or excess nitrogen fertilization. Avoid grazing these grasses too short, since nitrate concentration is highest in the lower parts of the stems.
Summer annual grasses respond best to a simple, rotational grazing system. Divide fields into three or more smaller paddocks of a size that your animals can graze down to about eight or so inches of leafy stubble within 7 to 10 days. Repeat this procedure with all paddocks. If grass in some paddocks gets too tall, it could be cut for hay.
A well-planned start, a good rotation, and a little rain can give you good pasture from these grasses all the rest of the summer.
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SOURCE: Jerry Volesky
RELEASE DATE: June 22, 2026
Have you noticed tall weeds with umbrella-like clusters of white flowers in pastures, ditch banks, and along roadsides? It may be poison hemlock, a plant that is highly toxic to people and livestock.
Poison hemlock commonly grows in moist soils along streams, roadsides, fencelines, and low areas in pastures. It has finely divided, fern-like leaves and smooth, hollow stems with distinctive purple spots. This biennial grows as a low rosette its first year before producing a tall flowering stalk during its second.
Scout pastures before turnout, especially when forage is short or low in palatability. Livestock generally avoid poison hemlock but may consume it when desirable forage is limited or when turned into a pasture hungry. Adequate forage, water, salt, and minerals can reduce abnormal grazing behavior, but do not make an infested pasture safe.
All parts of poison hemlock are toxic, and relatively small quantities can cause severe poisoning or death. The plant also remains dangerous after drying, making contaminated hay a potential risk.
Control is most effective during the rosette stage in fall or early spring before plants bolt and flower. Avoid mowing or spraying while livestock remain in the area. Cutting or herbicide injury may make plants more palatable and easier to consume, so exclude livestock until treated plants are dead and no longer accessible.
Pasture and rangeland herbicide options include products containing 2,4-D, dicamba, or both, along with DuraCor®, Chaparral®, Graslan® L, Cimarron® Plus, and Escort® XP. Streamline® is labeled for certain noncrop sites, but its label prohibits grazing or feeding forage or hay from treated areas.
Consider impacts on clovers and other desirable broadleaf plants, along with grazing, haying, manure, and reseeding restrictions. Always confirm that the product is labeled for the intended site and follow all label directions.
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SOURCE: Ben Beckman
RELEASE DATE: June 22, 2026
Summer annuals such as pearl millet, forage sorghum, sorghum-sudans, corn and BRM (brown midrib) forages can response well to fertilizer applications after their first cutting harvest. However, if moisture is a limiting factor, then fertilizer applications likely should be split and/or significantly reduced, since forage yields will only increase to the first limiting nutrient level.
Under irrigation management, 40 to 60 pounds of nitrogen fertilizer per acre may be applied after haying the first cutting or grazing of summer annual forages to stimulate regrowth. Sudangrass and sorghum-sudangrass will especially benefit from fertilizer applications after each cutting when irrigation reduces potential moisture stress. Further, average summer forage hay dry matter contains 15 pounds of phosphorus; 40 pounds of potassium and 25 pounds of sulfur per ton. Actual nutrient content can vary based on forage species, time of year and potential stress.
For rain-fed (dryland) forage production, high rates of nitrogen during drought stress may increase the risk of nitrate accumulation in the forages. So, dryland forage fertilizer rates this year’s drought conditions may be significantly lower. If dry weather conditions continue, growers may reduce normal fertilizer rates by over 50%. In some cases, producers may decide to split apply fertilizer and adjust rates based on rainfall amounts.
In UNL on-ranch forage studies, pearl millet forage was higher in sulfur content compared to other summer forages. So, consider sampling forage leaves; field soil; and hay to determine if sulfur may be a limiting factor on long-term millet producing fields.
More details regarding summer annual forages management are available online at: https://cropwater.unl.edu.
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SOURCE: Todd Whitney
RELEASE DATE: June 22, 2026
Common Sense Farming and Ranching
Alfredo DiCostanzo, Beef Systems Extension Educator
University of Nebraska
Week of June 15, 2026
Ranching like it’s 1982
For the states of Texas and New Mexico, detection of the first cases of New World screwworm (12 so far) reminds some of us around then what it was like to ranch before New World screwworm (NWS) was eradicated. The last reported case occurred in Texas in 1982, but the US had worked to eradicate the fly, since 1961. Now, this fly is back in the US and much has changed in farming and ranching since then.
The reader may recall from a previous column (December 19, 2024) that New World screwworm is a name given to the maggot (not a worm) of a fly (blow fly; Cochliomyia hominivorax) which lays eggs in the borders of open wounds or at the edge of orifices of mammals. Maggots emerge from eggs 12 to 24 hours after being laid (a single fly lays about 340 eggs) and begin feeding immediately. As maggots feed on live tissue, the wound is enlarged and deepened.
Mexico reported the first case of NWS in November of 2024. Importation of feeder cattle was suspended at the US-Mexico border immediately. Later, in February of 2025, this suspension was lifted until early May of 2025 when the suspension was reinstated as cases of NWS increased in Mexico. Importing live cattle, and other animal species, is suspended until further notice.
Fast forward to June 4 when the first case of NWS was reported in Texas. Since then, additional cases have been reported there and in New Mexico.
At some point, based on prediction models and prior knowledge of this fly’s reach into the US, most cattle farms and ranches in southern Texas, southern Louisiana, most of Florida, southeast California and southwest Arizona might have to deal with the fly and its effects on cattle and other animals including wildlife. States bordering these states and others beyond will likely develop specific interstate traffic regulations for movement of cattle and other animals from affected states.
For individuals farming and ranching in southern states but, for that matter, in any state, the threat of finding this pest is a tough but basic reminder of basic animal husbandry practices.
At the time NWS was endemic in the southern US, cattle ranchers regularly monitored their herds. Special attention was given to newborns, bull calves recovering from castration, or cattle recovering from dehorning or those recently branded.
Most cowboys carried insecticide and grubicide powder bottles in their chap pockets as they rode their herds. Having insecticide or grubicide powder alone was not enough. Cowboys then knew how to catch their bovine patient with a lariat in the thick, thorny brush common to those latitudes.
Preventive measures involved handling large herds regularly for observation or cattle dips. Because tick or other insect bites attract NWS flies, the threat of NWS motivated efforts to eradicate or control cattle ticks and other flies.
Although we all prefer not to have to deal with the NWS fly, its presence on US soil is demanding of us greater vigilance and control. At a time when cattle are so valuable, this will motivate us to deploy ranching practices like it was 1982.
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Week of June 1, 2026
Preparing the yard for heat events
As we close May, we were reminded of how warm summer gets. Some folks explain away their tolerance (or intolerance) for heat based on humidity. Yet, when it is all said and done, no matter how you look at it, hot is hot! This is important as we consider that cattle spend 24 hours in the elements, but humans that feed and care for them are also out there at least 8 of the hottest hours of the day.
As we move closer to steadily high temperatures of the summer, it may be a good time to list yard preparations in anticipation of heat events (listed in no special order):
- Checking water troughs, floats, and water flow
- Ensuring that floats permit water troughs to fill to at least 80% capacity
- Removing any remaining windbreak barriers including windbreaks, bale stacks, and weeds
- Scraping and reshaping dirt around water troughs and feedbunk aprons
- Re-fill low spots in pens with dirt or a combination of dirt and fly ash
- Re-hang sagging gates and repair fences where cattle may escape
- Patching feed bunks
- Reminding everyone of their assignments in response to heat events
- Spray for flies on premises and aerially on cattle
- Inspect and repair cattle sprinklers and waterlines
- Place mobile shades in pens and roll out fabric on permanent shade structures
- Keep an eye on temperature, wind, and humidity: the cattle comfort index (CCI) is available at (https://hprcc.unl.edu/sde/index.php#) and “feel-like” temperature conditions are available on most weather apps on cell phones. (As temperatures reach 80 degrees and humidity approaches 75%, heat stress begins to affect humans and cattle.)
- Don’t hesitate to use bedding to move cattle around yards, particularly on high areas or away from sprinklers
- Servicing scales and greasing cattle chutes, alleyways, and tubs
- This may be a great time to do one final thorough cleaning (blowing dirt and debris off cabs and beds), greasing, and inspection of all loading, mixing, and delivery equipment
- Replacing any burnt light bulbs in the yard, cattle shacks, shops, or offices
- Items to have available for use (in vehicles, around cattle working facilities, the shop or office): water containers (refill daily), electrolyte drinks, cups, fans, clean rags (to wet face and arms regularly), cellphones, two-way radios, device chargers, extra clothes, sunscreen, sun-protecting headgear, sunglasses, muck boots, brushes, water trough cleaning solution, eye and/or face protection, eyewear cleaning solution, and hearing protection
- Review and update health protocol with veterinarian, obtain prescriptions for prescribed antibiotics (oral and injectable), dewormers, and supportive therapies
- Review cattle health protocols with appropriate personnel and post them where everyone can see them. Ensure that everyone knows what situations require veterinary oversight.
- Remind everyone of Beef Quality Assurance practices including drug withdrawal and euthanasia procedures
- Purchase and store at least 2/3 of all tags, needles, vaccines, biologics, implants, antibiotics, dewormers, and supportive therapy needed for the summer
- Clean and lubricate veterinary equipment and ensure that it is in working condition. Calibrate dosing equipment. Replace any equipment that does not perform to standards.
- Check that veterinary refrigerators are cooling product between 36 and 46 °F and ensure that coolers used chute-side keep product in this temperature range also
- Remind everyone to rotate stock so that product closer to expiration date is used first. At this time, eliminate any expired or opened product.
- Go through First Aid Kit and remove and replace expired products
- This is also a good time to post emergency procedures for various situations that may be encountered: loose livestock, injured livestock or workers, extreme weather events, power outages, etc.
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Week of May 18, 2026
Chances the US cowherd will expand in 2026
What are the chances the US cowherd will expand in 2026? Reports from around the country referring to trends established in late 2025 indicated modest intentions. The main indicator was 500,000 fewer heifers harvested between July and December of last year (38% of fed cattle harvest)
This trend may be softening in early 2026. The proportion of heifer harvest relative to steer and heifer harvest (fed cattle harvest) climbed back to 39.4% for the months of January through March of this year. Heifer harvest in early 2026 is at par with heifer harvest a year ago during the same period.
If the last months of 2025 provided indication of heifer retention what might be holding back herd expansion?
- Because of limited supply of feeder cattle, feeder cattle prices continue to be attractive and might be preventing the desire to hold heifers back.
- More importantly, weather patterns established during late 2025 continue to challenge producers’ interest to expand.
Severe to extreme drought is affecting Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska. Moderate to severe drought is affecting western Kansas counties. Conditions in Southwestern South Dakota are not different from those of Western Nebraska. From the High Plains states, only North Dakota seems to be near normal for precipitation.
Large cow-calf production Southeastern states, including Florida and Georgia, are particularly affected by extreme to exceptional drought. Severe and extreme drought is also affecting three important cow-calf production states in the South: Oklahoma and Tennessee and one Midwest state: Kentucky.
The reality is that although there is incentive to expand the US cowherd, forage and feed supplies will be limited or unavailable for the remainder of 2026 unless late spring and early summer rains occur. These conditions may cause additional herd contraction instead of growth in this sector.
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Rural Health
Hannah Guenther, Extension Educator
Week of June 22, 2026
The Best Health Habit I Almost Skipped
Like so many, my exercise routine used to rely heavily on cardio. I loved the runners high, the ease of throwing on my shoes and hitting the pavement, and, in a world where calories are king, seeing how many calories I could burn during my workout. It was challenging for me to commit to lifting weights because it was hard. I wasn't drenched in sweat like I was after a run, and I struggled to truly understand what lifting weights was doing for my body and my long-term health.
That is, until I started to see, feel, and experience the benefits for myself.
I don’t think I need to spend too much time on the benefits of strength or resistance training, but in case you weren’t already aware weight bearing exercises (lunges, weightlifting, squats, pushups, etc.) has been recognized to have benefits to all ages. It supports bone health, sleep, cardiovascular health, and metabolic health.
What changed for me was realizing that lifting weights doesn’t have to be an hour in the gym, it can be 20 minutes at home in a way that works for me and my schedule. Here is a little glimpse into my workout routine and some tips to help you start building resistance training into your schedule.
My routine looks like; Monday: Full Body, Tuesday: Walk/Run, Wednesday: Arms + Walk, Thursday: Walk/Run, Friday: Rest, Saturday: Legs, and Sunday: Rest or Walk.
Each weightlifting session is 20-30 minutes in length.
Ready to get started? Here are some tips to start resistance training.
- Identify your goal. I truly believe that having a long-term goal in mind is the key to accomplishing any large task. For me, I want to set a healthy example for Charlotte right now and I want to be active later in life. (I have a goal to hike Machu Pichu in Peru!)
- Find the time. Write down everything you do for a day and how long. This includes making coffee, scrolling Facebook, to calling a friend. Identify 30 minutes that you could utilize consistently for exercise.
- Strength Training Your Way! As I mentioned, there are multiple ways to start resistance training, what works best for you? If you have weights at home, dust them off and put them to use. No weights? No problem. Start with bodyweight exercises such as lunges, squats, pushups, or step-ups. The best workout is the one you'll actually do.
- Track your Progress. And no, I'm not talking about the scale. (I could write a whole other article about my thoughts on the scale, but I'll save that for another time.) When you begin lifting weights, your body composition may change. The scale may not tell the full story. Instead, pay attention to your energy levels, how your clothes fit, how easily you carry groceries, or whether you're able to do more than you could a few weeks ago.
Strength training isn't just for athletes or gym-goers. It's for everyone, at every age. Whether you're lifting dumbbells, carrying feed buckets, hauling groceries, or picking up grandkids, strength matters. And it's never too late to start building it.
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Week of June 8, 2026
Healthy Habits After Treatment
June is Cancer Survivorship Month and one that touches many. Today, there are more than 18 million cancer survivors in the United States. Thanks to advances in prevention, screening, and treatment, more people are living longer after a cancer diagnosis than ever before. In honor of all the cancer survivors in our lives and communities, let’s focus on one small step that has a big impact on continued health and wellbeing after diagnosis.
Nutrition is an important part of cancer survivorship. While there is no single food that can prevent cancer from returning, healthy eating habits can help support recovery, improve energy levels, maintain a healthy weight, reduce inflammation, and lower the risk of other chronic diseases. Here are some simple tips to help you form healthier eating habits.
- Fill Half your Plate with Fruits and Vegetables: Fruits and vegetables provide your body with nutrients and antioxidants that help support your body’s healing and recovery. Aim to include a variety of colors on your plate! They are truly nature’s multi-vitamin.
- Choose Fiber-Rich Foods: Whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables provide fiber, which supports digestive health and may help reduce inflammation.
- Limit Highly Processed Foods: Convenience foods can fit into a healthy diet, but focusing on more whole foods most of the time can provide greater nutritional benefits. Choose the cheese instead of the boxed cheese flavored crackers.
- Stay Hydrated: Water plays a role in nearly every function of the body. Keep a water bottle nearby and sip throughout the day. And remember most gas stations will let you refill your water bottle for free!
Ready to get into the kitchen? Here is a simple recipe packed with nutrients and is great on its own or paired with protein. In a mixing bowl combine 2 cups cooked quinoa, ½ cup chopped red bell peppers, ½ chopped red onion, 1 can white beans (drained and rinsed), 1 cup chopped spinach, ¼ bunch chopped parsley, 1 container of feta cheese, 1 tbsp olive oil, and 1 ½ tbsp red wine vinegar. Toss to combine and serve with grilled protein of your choice!
For more information on the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Survivorship Program, go to: https://www.nebraskamed.com/cancer/cancer-survivorship-program
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Week o f May 25, 2026
Simple Summer Suppers
So recently, I have fallen into a serious rut. My cooking utensils have cobwebs, I haven’t touched my multi-cooker in months, and I shudder at the thought of turning on my oven. In terms of cooking and creating new recipes, I’m just kind of over it for lack of a better word. Nothing really sounds good and frankly if it weren’t detrimental to the health of me and my family, we would be on diet of chips, salsa, and popsicles. To continue to provide nutritious meals for my family, I have had to simplify greatly with meals that are simple, require little preparation. Here is my list of simple summer suppers that require few ingredients, minor preparation, and are nutritious.
1. Air Fryer Brats
Temperatures are continuing to rise. One of my favorite parts of summer is using the grill as our primary cooking appliance, but when it’s really hot – firing up the grill is avoided at all costs. The air fryer allows us to enjoy items that we would typically grill on very hot days including brats. Place brats in the basket of the air fryer, making sure they are not overcrowded or touching. Cook at 375F for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. After cooking time is complete, use a cooking thermometer to ensure brats have reached an internal temperature of 145F. Serve with sliced cucumbers, garden tomatoes, and sweet corn for a simple summer supper.
2. Egg Tacos
Meals not only need to be simple and easy to prepare but also have a preparation time of under 15 minutes. We have been running around quite a bit this summer, so I usually have a matter of minutes to whip up dinner before my family revolts – enter egg tacos. We keep them simple with corn tortillas, scrambled eggs, cheese, and salsa. I like to add some spinach into my eggs for an added vegetable. Serve with some fresh fruit for an easy twist on breakfast for dinner.
3. Swiss Mushroom Burgers
If temperatures are manageable, we will try to fire up the grill. Our go to this summer has been Swiss mushroom burgers. While burgers are cooking to an internal temperature of 160F, sauté sliced mushrooms on the stove or add to a grill basket. When done cooking, add mushrooms to burger and top with Swiss cheese. While the grill is on, cook up vegetables for a simple side dish. Zucchini, sweet corn, peppers, asparagus, and Brussel sprouts cook beautifully on the grill. A great meal planning tip is that whenever we grill, cook up more protein and vegetables than needed for the evening so that you can enjoy leftovers throughout the week.
4. Black Bean Tostadas
Without a doubt one of my favorite simple summer meals is a black bean tostada. Layer a tostada shell with refried black beans and top with cheese. Put into the microwave for 45 seconds to melt the cheese. Top with shredded cheese and salsa – that’s it! So simple, so delicious, and whipped up within 5 minutes.
5. Cereal
It would be wrong if I didn’t include this final simple summer supper. Cereal. Yep, that’s it! We try to always keep whole grain cereal on hand with low fat milk. Topped with summer berries, it’s a delicious, nutritious, and refreshing summer supper!
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