Week of June 15, 2026
4-H Enrollment Deadline Approaching
June 15th is the last day to drop or add 4-H projects for the year 2026. If you have not enrolled or re-enrolled in 4-H, you can do that by visiting v2.4honline.com. You can update your enrollment until June 15th. After that deadline, no changes can be made if you want to bring projects to the Cuming County Fair in 2026.
June 15th is also the deadline for ALL 4-H livestock projects! Contact the Extension Office with any questions.
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SOURCE: Melissa Hagemeister, Extension Associate
RELEASE DATE: May 4, 2026
The Cuming County Extension Board will meet for their June meeting on Monday, June 22, at 7:00 p.m. in the Cuming County Courthouse Meeting Room. The agenda for the meeting is available for review at Nebraska Extension in Cuming County
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SOURCE: Alfredo DiCostanzo, Extension Educator
RELEASE DATE: June 8, 2026
Cuming County Livestock Judging Contest
WHEN: Monday, June 22
WHERE: WISNER RIVER PARK
CHECK IN : 4:30 pm ; Start time 5:00 pm
Awards will be given to the top three in Junior, Intermediate, and Senior divisions.
Contact Hunter Schroeder for questions 402-380-6250
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SOURCE: Melissa Hagemeister, Extension Associate
RELEASE DATE: June 9, 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
Break-Even Forage Production: Is Your Pasture Paying Its Way?
Is your pasture paying its way? This is a question I have heard lately with regards to changing input costs.
Before your cattle hit the field, here's a quick way to check if your pasture covers its costs. Let’s run the numbers:
Suppose you fertilize a sub-irrigated meadow on cool- or warm season grasses. Let’s assume after we fertilize, this will boost our forage yield by 0.75/ ton per acre.
Let’s assume hay is valued at $120/ton, that extra 0.75 tons is worth $90/acre, so you must spend less than that on fertilizer to break even. If hay prices rise to $150/ton, your break-even fertilizer investment increases to $112.50/acre.
But that’s just yield. In continuous grazing systems, livestock typically harvest only 25–35% of the forage, the rest is lost through trampling, fouling, or things of that nature. This dramatically eats into your return on your investment.
To get your money’s worth, combine fertilization with good grazing management, with things like rotational grazing across at least 4 paddocks. This not only improves forage utilization; it helps cover those fertilizer costs.
Here’s a quick formula, if your total cost per acre is $150 ($X), and your hay value is $120/ton (Y), then:
Break-even yield = $150 ÷ $120 or X÷Y or roughly 1.25 tons per acre
Make sure you're getting that much forage after accounting for utilization. If you're falling short, consider cutting costs, boosting efficiency, or renting extra grazing ground to balance the budget.
For additional information about this topic go to beef.unl.edu.
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SOURCE: Shannon Sand, Extension Educator Ag Economics
RELEASE DATE: June 15, 2026
Managing Windrow Disease in Alfalfa
Rained-on hay plagues all of us eventually. The 'windrow disease' that often follows presents lingering problems.
Windrow disease — that’s the name given to the striped appearance in fields where alfalfa windrows remained so long that regrowth underneath was delayed. Usually, it’s due to rained on hay.
Windrow disease presents special challenges. Weeds often invade, requiring spraying to maintain quality and protect stands. During the next growth period, plants that were not smothered regrow rapidly, while plants underneath the windrow suffer delays. Part of the field often will begin to bloom while windrow-stressed plants are still short and tender. So, when do you harvest? When the first plants begin to bloom, or do you wait until injured plants are ready?
I suggest using two factors to tell you when you should cut — the health and vigor of your stand and the nutrient needs of your livestock. For example, does your alfalfa stand young, healthy, and regrowing well? If not, wait to cut until stunted plants begin to bloom so you can avoid weakening them even more.
But, if your alfalfa is in good shape, then cut when it will best meet the needs of your animals. Dairy cows need alfalfa that is cut early, so harvest when the first plants reach bud to early bloom stage. Regrowth of injured plants may be slow after cutting, but this sacrifice is needed for profitable milk production. Beef cows, though, do not need such rich hay. So, if the hay will be fed to beef cattle, let stunted plants recover, and then cut when they are ready to bloom.
Hopefully, by next cut, growth will be more uniform, plants healthy, and production back to normal.
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SOURCE: Jerry Volesky, Extension Specialist Range & Forage
RELEASE DATE: June 15, 2026
Summer Annual Grasses in Alfalfa
By mid-summer, summer annual grasses like foxtail, sandbur, and crabgrass are already up and growing—and they’re starting to cause issues in perennial hay or pasture fields.
At this point in the season, pre-emergent herbicides are no longer an effective control option for already growing summer annual weeds. Our best bet is to focus on post-emergent control and timely harvest management. In Roundup Ready® alfalfa, a labeled glyphosate product is a solid option—just be sure to treat while weeds are still small and before the alfalfa canopy blocks spray coverage.
In conventional alfalfa, grass-selective herbicides like Select®, Assure®, or Poast® can still work on smaller grasses. Follow the label closely for height limits and grazing or harvest restrictions.
If weeds are already well established, burn-down products like Gramoxone® may be your best shot. Apply immediately after cutting—before much alfalfa regrowth occurs—to knock back annual grasses with limited damage to the stand.
In mixed alfalfa-grass fields, your herbicide options are even more limited. The only post emergent product we might consider is Pursuit®, which may stunt perennial grasses. This doesn’t disqualify it as an option but be aware it may open the door for more weed pressure.
This late in the season, cultural controls like adjusting harvest timing and maintaining a dense, vigorous stand may do more for long-term control than a spray pass. And remember—no herbicide will make up for poor timing.
Summer grasses are a challenge, but with a sharp eye and well-timed management, you can still limit their impact and protect your hay quality.
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SOURCE: Ben Beckman, Extension Educator Livestock Systems
RELEASE DATE: June 15, 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 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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Week of May 11, 2026
Tan Lines Fade, Skin Damage Doesn’t
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United State with a 90% survival rate when treated before spreading to lymph nodes. With much more time spent outside in the sun, it is important to keep sun safety in mind. Here is a brief overview of skin cancer, self-screening practices, and finally some tips to protect your skin this summer.
Skin is the largest organ of the body and is exposed to a variety of elements every day. Risk of skin cancer is increased from the following: excessive sun exposure, tanning beds, fair complexion, family history, smoking (smokers are 2 times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma), having multiple moles, and skin that burns easily. Many will claim that their dark or olive complexion protects them from the risk of skin cancer, but skin cancer does not care about the color of your skin, everyone is at risk for developing skin cancer!
As mentioned, skin cancer has a high survival rate when detected early! There are two methods of screening: self and clinical. Self-screening requires taking inventory of your skin to take note of any changes. Try to self-screen once a month and use the ABCD’s. Look for Asymmetry, irregular Border, uneven Color, and finally check the Diameter to see if it has changed in size. If you have a mole that is questionable, make an appointment with a dermatologist or your healthcare provider to do a clinical screening. I recently started getting annual skin checks and I truly look forward to them. It’s an easy way to take control of my health through preventative care.
With the heat of summer upon us, let’s talk through some tips to practice sun safety:
- 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. is the window of time with the strongest rays, if you are at risk of skin cancer you will want to avoid sun exposure during this time.
- SPF 30 is high enough sunscreen to block 90% of UV rays, but you need to apply 30 min before going outside and reapply every 2 hours in water.
- Sun Protective Clothing is a great option for individuals who work outside year-round. Long sleeves, sunglasses, and a hat that covers ears and the back of your neck is a great summer uniform for sun safety!
At the end of the day, sun safety doesn’t have to mean avoiding summer fun. It’s about building small habits that protect your skin for the long run. Whether it’s throwing on a hat, seeking shade, scheduling outdoor time wisely, or remembering sunscreen before heading out the door, those simple choices can make a big difference. Your skin is with you for life, so take care of it!
For more information you can go to: https://www.nebraskamed.com/cancer/skin
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Weekly News
- 4-H Enrollment Deadline Approaching
- Extension Board to Meet
- Cuming County Livestock Judging Contest
- Cuming County 4-H Youth Invited to the Wisner Lions Club Rodeo
- Cuming County 4-H Culinary Challenge & Cook-Off Contests
- 4-H Clover Kid Camp
- Fremont 4-H Expo
- Break-Even Forage Production: Is Your Pasture Paying Its Way?
- Managing Windrow Disease in Alfalfa
- Summer Annual Grasses in Alfalfa