Week of September 21, 2026
As temperatures cool this fall, don’t be too quick to shut irrigation off on alfalfa, especially if the soil profile is dry.
Alfalfa water use drops considerably as temperatures cool. During peak summer growth, plants may use around a third of an inch of water per day, while fall demand may drop closer to a tenth of an inch. While that may seem like a reason to stop irrigating, it’s worth a closer look.
Fall irrigation in alfalfa has two benefits, but both depend on having room in the soil profile for additional water. Because alfalfa is a perennial and can continue growing into the fall until a hard freeze, adequate soil moisture can help plants maintain healthy roots and prepare for winter. Fall irrigation can also rebuild soil moisture depleted during the growing season. Alfalfa has a deep root system, and water stored deeper in the profile can provide a valuable reserve when growth and water demand increase again next summer.
Irrigate based on soil moisture, not the calendar. If the profile is already full, adding more water provides little benefit. If soil is dry, fall can be an efficient time to rebuild those reserves before freeze-up.
Also keep soil texture in mind. Coarser soils may take water quickly but hold less, while finer-textured soils generally hold more water but may take it in more slowly. And don’t forget to keep local irrigation restrictions in mind.
For more information, see Nebraska Extension NebGuide G1778, Irrigation Management and Crop Characteristics of Alfalfa.
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SOURCE: Ben Beckman, Extension Educator Livestock Systems
RELEASE DATE: September 21, 2026
Did you spray thistles this past spring or summer? If so, it may be worth revisiting those areas. New plants or regrowth may have shown up, and late September through early November can be a good time for thistle control in pastures and hayland.
For biennial thistles like musk, plumeless, bull, and Scotch thistle, look for small, flat rosettes close to the ground. Controlling these rosettes now can prevent plants from bolting, flowering, and producing seed next year.
Canada thistle is a little different. This creeping perennial spreads through both seed and an extensive root system. Fall is one of our best opportunities for control because actively growing plants are moving nutrients back into their roots for winter, helping systemic herbicides reach that underground system.
Several herbicides are labeled for thistle control, including GrazonNext HL, Milestone, Chaparral, DuraCor, and Tordon 22K. Product effectiveness varies by thistle species, so match the product to the weed and site being treated. For current options, rates, and restrictions, check Nebraska Extension’s EC130 Weed Management Guide and always follow label directions.
Remember, one fall treatment probably won’t eliminate an established problem. Scout again next spring and continue timely control to prevent seed production and reduce the infestation over time.
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SOURCE: Ben Beckman, Extension Educator Livestock Systems
RELEASE DATE: September 21, 2026
Late summer is often when annual grasses like foxtail, sandbur, and barnyardgrass become especially noticeable in pastures. They commonly show up where grass stands are thin, animal traffic is heavy, or overgrazing has left open space.
By this time of year, control options are limited. Annual grasses are difficult to selectively remove from established grass pastures, and many plants are already producing seed. If seeds have not matured, mowing may help reduce seed production.
Long-term control starts with maintaining a healthy, competitive pasture. Proper stocking rates and adequate recovery between grazing periods help desirable grasses fill open space and reduce opportunities for annual grasses to establish.
Where annual grass remains a problem, identify the species and plan ahead. For many summer annual grasses, herbicide control means using a labeled pre-emergence product next spring, timed before germination. Once plants emerge, selective control in a grass pasture becomes much more difficult.
Annual grasses may be easy to notice now, but late summer is often too late for much direct control. Focus on limiting seed production, improving pasture competition, and planning for earlier control next year.
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SOURCE: Ben Beckman, Extension Educator Livestock Systems
RELEASE DATE: September 21, 2026
Common Sense Farming and Ranching
Alfredo DiCostanzo, Beef Systems Extension Educator
University of Nebraska
Week of September 21, 2026
Should I background spring calves in 2026?
In recent weeks, feeder cattle prices softened while corn grain prices are trending higher. There is an expectation that corn grain prices will remain at up to $1.00 higher per bushel than in 2025-2026. So, should a cow-calf operator background their spring-born calves?
At the time this column was written, Corn Grain Futures are at over $5.00/bu, while Spring 2027 Corn Grain Futures trade at over $5.50/bu. Feeder Cattle Futures are at $319/cwt for November while January 2027 Feeder Cattle Futures are at $310/cwt. If we were selling a 750-lb steer in November, we would expect to receive $2,392; a 750-lb steer selling in January would be expected to bring $2,325. In short, the market for 750-lb feeder calves is currently trending laterally.
If you are a cow-calf operator or someone purchasing lightweight cattle to background and sell after the first of the year, the price per hundredweight will likely be higher. An online tool I often use to determine the value of cattle gain is available for free at Beef Basis (https://beefbasis.com/).
The value of gain tool on this website permits price predictions for calves between two dates for a given weight and market. This website tracks the Feeder Cattle and Corn Grain Futures markets using basis to adjust to local sale barn conditions.
Value of the gain resulting from using this tool does not ensure a profit margin but is helpful in making decisions. Using this tool to predict the price of a 500-lb steer to wean and sell at Bassett the first week of November projects a $434/cwt price or a gross return of $2,170 per head. Assuming this scenario represents a cow-calf operation that weaned 500-lb steers, then each steer is projected to bring $2,170. Alternatively, holding this steer on a backgrounding diet gaining 2.36 lb daily (165 lb) to sell the second week of January results in a projected price of $369/cwt or $2,454 per head. The differential in gross return is the value of the gain between the two market dates and weights. This value is $283 per head.
Back home, what this means is that this producer can only spend $283 per head to put on 165 lb of gain. In other words, the cost of gain can only be as high as $170/cwt if they are to break even.
Under these cattle and feed prices, the cost of a backgrounding diet (dry matter basis) containing 50% corn grain ($5/bu), 32% hay ($200/ton), 15% dried distillers grains ($200/ton), and 3% of a supplement ($450/ton) would be $200/ton (as is). If cattle consume 17 lb dry matter feed per day (about 19.50 lb fresh feed per day) to gain 2.40 lb (feed conversion of 7.1 lb feed dry matter per lb gain), then feed cost of gain would be $0.71 per lb (total feed cost of gain would be $117/head). Other costs such as labor, fuel, oil, equipment, etc. should be expected to be about $0.75 daily or $52/head.
Adding these costs to the value of the calf at weaning, $2,170, results in an investment of $2,339 per head (rounded). This still leaves over $100 net return to the operation.
Although these are projections based on anticipated prices and value change, and a positive outcome is projected, a producer considering this option should pencil in their own local feed price and projections of non-feed cost including veterinary and medicine and potential death loss. However, these calculations indicate the potential to return a profit during current cattle markets.
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Week of September 7, 2026
Contrasting two beef-producing regions
I had the opportunity to guide a group of Argentinians on a tour of beef producers. I spent a bit of time with two of them whom I had the opportunity to interview. A few items we discussed, from which I discovered interesting contrasts that deserve attention.
Farming and ranching are cultural and born from a family business in the US while they are business only in Argentina. This was one of the main differences they pointed out between our two countries. In the US, farmers and ranchers participate as a family. In Argentina, a young person participates in farming and ranching only if mom or dad own a farm or ranch, which they frequent only sometimes during the month as they live in the city. In Argentina, access to services in rural areas including education, health care, communications, and other infrastructure prevents rural development and forces even families wishing to live on their ranch or farm to remain in the city. This has created a greater divide between agriculture and the consumer than what we see in the US.
Another significant difference we discussed is how business safeguards in the US protect the buying-selling transaction. We had the opportunity to spend time at West Point Livestock. There, they learned that the seller receives payment immediately for cattle they sold. Business in Argentina, on the other hand, takes a bit longer. The same transaction would result in a longer term to cover the check, about 90 days.
We are fortunate to live in this country where the appropriate protections exist so that businesses may thrive. Also, as I have said before, the connection between family and agriculture is key to the future of agriculture in the US. While safeguards keep business moving forward with as few glitches as possible keeps trust in the transactions and protects intentions for agriculture to grow forward.
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Week of August 24, 2026
Appraising crops through cattle feeding
The economic approach to assigning economic value to a crop grown for the feedlot (it could be in association with a family member or another partner unit) is based on a simple principle. Subtract the value of off-farm expenses from the gross return (generally receipts of cattle sold, but manure value as fertilizer should also be included here) and assign the balance to the cropping operation.
From the gross value of the economic return (cattle sales), one subtracts the cost of all other items used in the cattle feeding process including cattle, yardage (which includes labor, fuel and oil, repairs, utilities, facilities depreciation, etc.), veterinary medicine expenses, purchasing and selling costs including trucking, and feed or supplements (distillers grains, micro-ingredients, supplements, additives, etc.) purchased off the farm. The balance is then assigned to the crop operation to pay for feed raised on the farm.
Following this approach, the feedlot activity results in zero return. Therefore, one must calculate an acceptable return to the feedlot activity, generally prime lending rate plus 2 points. Currently, that value is 10% annual return. This return is applied to the feedlot activity using the investment in cattle feeding (using the figures from the feedlot closeout for example) and feeding period say 210 days or 58% of a year, which translates to 5.75%. If feeding a single lot for 210 days results in a 1-million-dollar investment, then a reasonable net profit to the feedlot activity is $57,500.
This return must be subtracted from the balance left over from the calculation of gross return minus off-farm expenses to ascribe a proper feedlot activity return. Once this is accomplished, the balance (positive or negative) belongs to the farming activity.
The next challenge is the proper allocation of value from this balance to each crop using in the feedlot activity. Using the energy contribution of each feed ingredient to the diet, the allocation to each crop raised on the farm is obtained.
The examples I am using included three lots of cattle fed between the fall of 2025 and this summer. Cattle performed well in the feedlot, gaining at 3.7 lb daily for cattle starting at 600 to 700 lb and finishing at around 1,500 lb. As expected, feed conversion was great, under 6.4 lb feed per lb gain.
When assigning economic value to the farming activity after allocating off-farm costs and feedlot profit, corn ranged from $6.50 to $8.90/bushel or between 166% to 224% the value at the local grain market. At an average yield of 200 bushels to the acre and cost of $1,000 per acre, the farming operation received $1,300 to $1,780 per acre and made between $300 and $780 per acre because of the feedlot activity.
Similar values were assigned to high-moisture corn (between 170% and 230% of their market value). Interestingly, both crops used to provide fiber in the diet benefited greatly. Corn silage and hay value were over 216% and 144%, respectively, greater than their market value. This would imply that corn silage was valued at over $80 and hay at over $200 per ton, respectively.
This exercise can be applied to backgrounding or even cow-calf operations. Regardless of application, and despite the poor conversion efficiency (or any other perceived negativity including methane emissions), these are examples of how cattle operations improve the value of land and contribute to economic development.
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Rural Health
Hannah Guenther, Extension Educator
Week of September 14, 2026
Healthy Harvest
We have officially started harvest 2026. As many of you know, harvest season is a stressful time of year as famers work against the clock and Mother Nature to get crops out of the ground as quickly and efficiently as possible. One thing that can get put on the back burner during a stressful season is our health. Eating healthy during harvest is a challenge for many reasons including the lack of time to sit down for a meal, the issue of location and dining in a field, and stress leading us to crave high fat and high salt foods. With tension running high and stress management is pertinent and fueling your body properly is a great line of defense in terms of handling and managing stress. Today I am going to share with you some field-friendly fruits and vegetables, small swaps to meals you already enjoy, and finally some quick healthy recipes to include in your farmers cooler this harvest.
Field Friendly Fruits & Vegetables
One of the biggest challenges I face during harvest is making sure that Adam is eating fruits and vegetables. Sugar snap peas, carrots, cherry tomatoes, sliced bell peppers, radishes, and cucumbers are all able to be eaten raw and with one hand, making them great options for the field. In terms of fruit, try to choose options that don’t have to be peeled and aren’t overly juicy. Apples, grapes, berries and pre peeled oranges are all great fruit options. Another option that Adam has approved of is fruit or vegetable juice. 100% fruit or vegetable juice, like V8, counts as a serving of fruit or vegetables and is a great option during harvest. Get creative and strive to include a fruit or vegetable with each meal.
Small Swaps
Sometimes making a healthy choice is simply making a small swap to meals you already enjoy. If you are cooking with ground beef, try to use lean ground beef like a 90/10 option. If you are eating a burger, sandwich or wrap, choose a whole wheat bread – this will give you added fiber and vitamins. These small swaps allow your farmer to enjoy a meal that they know and love while reaping the nutritional benefits of a healthy balanced meal. One of my favorite meals to deliver to the field is a BLT wrap – it’s a portable, nutritious take on one of Adam’s favorites. Start with a whole wheat tortilla and spread a thin layer of mayo before loading on lettuce and tomato. Add two slices of cooked bacon and roll up. Serve with a piece of fresh fruit and a small bag of chips for a healthy harvest meal.
Egg Muffins
Without a doubt one of the hardest meals to get to my farmer is breakfast! He is out the door before I can get him a breakfast burrito or a piece of fruit. That said, I make sure that there is an easy grab and go breakfast waiting for him. Egg Muffins are loaded with protein and vegetables and are easy to eat, making it the perfect harvest breakfast. Start by cracking 6 eggs into a bowl and whisk together with 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, and ¼ cup low fat milk. Add ¼ cup cheese and 1 cup broccoli florets. Mix together and pour the egg mixture into a greased muffin tin about 2/3 full. Bake at 375° F for 18-20 minutes until eggs reach an internal temperature of 160° F. Eating on the run? Cut an egg muffin in half and roll up in a whole wheat tortilla for an easy, grab and go breakfast.
I want to end this article with a little disclaimer. I am in no way the token harvest farm wife that sends Adam out to the field with nutritious dining options every day. There are days it’s a mad dash to get his hands on whatever he can eat while driving a tractor and then there are also days when healthy food doesn’t sound good and he really just wants a cheeseburger from town. This all just goes to say that harvest is not the best time to completely overhaul your diet, but it is a great time to get creative and make small swaps towards a healthier eating pattern. When you eat better, you feel better, and more readily prepared to handle stressful situations.
If you would like more information about a healthy eating pattern and nutritious field meals for your farmer and family, go to go.unl.edu/foodfield to stay up to date with the Nebraska Extension’s Food in the Field Nutrition Program that seeks to better feed those who feed us in the field and everywhere in between. Have a safe and healthy harvest!
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Week of August 31, 20206
I truly can’t remember if I’ve shared this in a previous newspaper article, but I recently graduated with a degree in Public Health. My educational path has been unique, to say the least. I started with a degree in Dietetics and later earned a master’s degree in education. But as my career in Extension grew and evolved, I began to realize there was a gap in my own education.
I have devoted much of my professional career to improving the health and well-being of rural Nebraskans. And the more I worked in this space, the more I realized that food and nutrition are only one piece of a much bigger puzzle.
Our health is influenced by what we eat, but it is also shaped by where we live, where we work, the air we breathe, the water we drink, the resources available in our communities, and even how far we must travel to see a doctor. In other words, our health is influenced by the places where we live, work, learn, and play.
That is public health.
When you say “public health” in our current climate, people may have a lot of different thoughts. For many, their mind immediately goes to vaccines or infectious disease. And while those are certainly pieces of public health, the field is so much bigger than that.
So today, I want to answer a seemingly simple question: What is public health?
Public health focuses on prevention. Public health is right under your nose, keeping you safe and preventing illness and injury every day. Did you buckle your seat belt today? That is a public health intervention designed to reduce traffic-related injuries. Have you noticed the lack of people smoking in restaurants? Smoke-free policies are a public health intervention that reduces secondhand smoke exposure. Have you enjoyed our walking trail in town? Creating spaces that encourage physical activity is public health, too.
Public health looks beyond individual choices. We love to tell people to “eat healthy” or “exercise more,” but what if the nearest grocery store is 30 miles away? What if there isn't a safe place to walk or access to a gym? One of the things that I love the most about Public Health is that it looks at the circumstances and environment that an individual is currently in and how that impacts their choices.
Public health is often invisible when it's working. This area of work is truly a silent hero because we reap the benefits every day without calling it out directly. Eating food from a restaurant that is meeting food-safety standards, safety requirements in the workplace - we benefit from public health systems constantly without necessarily calling them “public health.”
Dietetics taught me a great deal about how our individual choices influence our health. Education taught me how to help people learn and make changes. Public health helped me understand the bigger picture: the communities, systems and environments surrounding those choices.
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Week of August 17, 2026
Flipping the Pyramid: A Breakdown of the New Dietary Guidelines. Part II
Checking in, how are we doing after Part I? If you missed my last article, let’s get you caught up to speed. Every 5 years the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) get updated based on the current nutrition landscape, administration, research, etc. The most recent rendition flipped the script (literally) inverting the food pyramid. These guidelines influence everything from federal nutrition programs to how health professionals talk about nutrition with the public.
In today’s episode of breaking down the new DGA, we’re going to review a few more of the key recommendations and start talking about how you can put these guidelines into practice in your daily life.
The Current Guidelines: In part I, we learned that protein, whole grains, and a focus on whole foods are key components. In addition:
- Fruits & Vegetables: eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables throughout the day has remained a consistent recommendation. Remember that fresh produce is great but frozen, dried, or canned fruits and vegetables with limited added sugar also count!
- Full Fat Dairy: Previous guidelines emphasized low-fat dairy, while the new guidance allows full-fat options as part of the recommended three daily servings. This reflects evolving research around dairy fat and health. Moral of the story? Choose the dairy options that work for you and your family.
- Whole Foods: Did I mention the focus on whole foods? One of the loudest messages in the new DGA is to prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods more often and limit highly processed foods.
Turning Guidelines 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! Here’s one simple place to start.
- Read Your Ingredient List. One of the easiest ways to eat more whole foods is to check ingredient lists. 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. Take ranch dressing. A store-bought bottle may have a long ingredient list, while a homemade version can be made with just a handful of familiar ingredients.
Homemade Ranch Dressing
In a bowl or mason jar, add ½ cup mayo, ½ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream, ½ cup milk, 1 tsp dried dill, ½ tsp dried parsley, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and ¼ tsp black pepper. Combine and enjoy!
I swear, I just get going and I am already out of words. In Part III, we will continue talking about how to put these guidelines into action with simple tips of how to bring the DGA into your kitchen!
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Weekly News
Common Sense Farming & Ranching
- Should I background spring calves in 2026?
- Contrasting Two Beef-Producing Regions
- Appraising Crops through Cattle Feeding