Weekly News and Columns

Week of August 10, 2026

Extension Board to Meet

The Cuming County Extension Board will meet for their August meeting on Monday, August 24, 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:  August 10, 2026

The Cost of Overgrazing 

There is a saying “take half and leave half” with regard to grazing. However, with the weather events this past year, some producers are concerned about long-term overgrazing since this can reduce grass production and profits for years.  Overgrazing often leads to higher feed costs, lower carrying capacity, and more expensive pasture recovery over time.

Lower forage production means fewer grazing days. In this case, producers may have to purchase hay or supplemental feed earlier than planned and reduce or lower stocking rates in future years. It can also cause weeds; pest invasion; soil erosion; additional management costs; and delay pasture recovery for years to regain original grazing capacity.  

For example, if overgrazing reduces forage production by 20%, on a 100-acre pasture producing two tons of forage per acre; the range loses equivalent to 40 tons of forage.   Replacing that forage with purchased hay can quickly add thousands of dollars in feed costs.

The best option to avoid overgrazing is to be proactive. Some things producers can do are rotate livestock before plants are grazed too short; monitor forage availability throughout the season; adjust stocking rates during the season; and increase the rest period between grazing and when livestock are returned to the pasture.

The cheapest forage you will feed is the grass already growing in your pasture. Protecting that resource through proper grazing management can improve profitability today and preserve productivity for years to come.

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SOURCE: Shannon Sand

RELEASE DATE:  August 10, 2026

Storing Silage

Corn silage harvest may seem like a long way off, but preparation for a successful harvest begins now.  Improper silage storage and fermentation can result in losses up to 20% prior to feeding. Plan your storage now to keep excessive storage losses from happening to you.

Preventing oxygen from entering your silage should be a top priority when considering silage storage. Bagged silage is a versatile option that allows the storage location to move year to year and comes with a build in oxygen barrier but can carry a high price tag and may not be appropriate for large harvest amounts.  Placing the silage in a bunker is another that can increase oxygen exclusion, but make sure to check these structures for cracks and repair any that are found to maintain their integrity.  If silage is a feedstuff on your operation, the reduction in losses that a permanent structure paired with covering the pile provides can offset the costs when spread out over several years.

Silage piles are the more traditional approach and can allow for greater volumes of silage to be stored in a smaller area without the cost and permanent nature of bunkers. Oxygen exclusion in piles that lack a permanent structure can be enhanced with some planning.  Before harvesting, line the sides with bales and place oxygen-limiting plastic down the sides and for several feet under the bottom to seal the sides of the pile.  At a minimum, placing plastic on top of the pile is an investment worth the time, labor, and money.  By covering the pile, we can reduce oxygen from moving into the pile from the top and reduce precipitation exposure.

Corn silage is a valuable feed resource and keeping oxygen out of your silage requires planning now. Pick an appropriate location for harvest and feed out success and store correctly to minimize feed losses.

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SOURCE: Ben Beckman

RELEASE DATE: August 10, 2026

Common Mullein Control 

Common mullein is an invasive biennial weed that can spread rapidly into pastures. First year seeds prefer to germinate and form rosette plants in disturbed or tilled soils. Then, second year mullein plants enter the bolting stage, developing yellow flowering seed head spikes. Due to recent mild winters, mullein winter survival has been high.

For controlling small infestations, hand-pulling or digging can be effective, especially before plants produce seeds. Make sure to remove the entire rosette or sever the root below the soil surface. Repeated mowing when plants are in the bolting to early flowering stage can reduce seed production; but mowing low-growing rosettes is generally not effective. Remember that spring seed germination can be problematic for years after weed seed is produced.

Herbicide control can be a challenge due to the dense, woolly mullein leaves hindering absorption and single mode of action herbicide usage has led to some herbicide-resistant populations. Effective control usually requires chemical application either during the first-year rosette stage OR prior to seed development during the second-year bolting stage. Note that non-ionic surfactant or crop oil concentrates must be included with most herbicide applications to overcome the woolly mullein leaves.

The most effective labelled control products in UNL studies, which must be applied to rosettes prior to spring bolting, include Remedy®, Tordon®, Milestone®; Graslan®; MezaVue™; and Chaparral™. A fall application can control common mullein before it overwinters, but the herbicide will not persist and control new spring seedlings.

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SOURCE: Samantha Daniel

RELEASE DATE:  August 10, 2026

4-H Special Edition - Norfolk Daily News

Nebraska Extension in Madison County is excited to be producing the 51st Annual 4-H Special Edition newspaper insert for National 4-H week in partnership with the Norfolk Daily News. This special insert is distributed to over 12,000 homes during the first week in October and has a digital reach of 1.5 million pageviews every month. What an exciting way to share our 4-H stories! All 4-H members are invited to submit articles on their 4-H experiences with the theme "Ready Today, Leading Tomorrow”.

If you write an article, Please save your article as a text file or paste the article directly into an email. Also, submit at least one photo of you while doing your project or with your final project. Close-up, action shots with one or two people are generally preferred. Include information to run under the photo. Identify the people (left to right). Describe what is happening in the photo. Please save the photo as a JPEG file. Also, when ending your article, please include your county of participation. (ex. Madison County, Cedar County, etc.) You can email the article and photo to Kiley Truex at ktruex@norfolkdailynews.com with the subject line stating: 4-H Special Edition 2026.

The deadline for submission is Friday, September 11, 2026.

Contact the Extension Office with questions!

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SOURCE: Melissa Hagemeister, Extension Associate

RELEASE DATE:  July 6, 2026

Rental Rates for Nebraska in 2026 

What does it cost to rent pasture this year? The final 2026 Nebraska Cash Rental Rates Survey results are now available.

Average monthly pasture rental rates increased between 2% and 8% compared to last grazing season, continuing the upward trend across Nebraska.

The North reporting district, primarily the Sandhills, reported the highest average rate at $82.10 per cow-calf pair per month. The Northeast and Central districts followed at $77.35 and $74.60, while the Northwest district, including much of the Panhandle, had the lowest average at $56.45 per pair per month. Most other areas of the state averaged between $61 and $70 per pair each month.

Keep in mind these are averages. Actual rental rates depend on factors such as pasture quality, fences and water, management responsibilities, cattle size, and local demand.

Whether you're renting pasture or leasing it to someone else, a written lease is one of the best risk management tools available. Be sure it clearly outlines the stocking rate or number of cattle, grazing period, payment terms, and how unexpected events like drought will be handled.

To view the complete 2026 Nebraska Cash Rental Rates Survey, visit the Center for Agricultural Profitability website.

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SOURCE: Shannon Sand, Extension Educator Ag Economics

RELEASE DATE: July 27, 2026

Common Sense Farming and Ranching

Alfredo DiCostanzo, Beef Systems Extension Educator

University of Nebraska

Week of August 10, 2026

Resilient American agriculture begins with thriving youth

As the 2026 edition of the Cuming County Fair ends, a casual observation, of great influence in the future of American agriculture, is watching young people thrive as they participate in 4-H, FFA or other fair-sponsored events or while they simply act as kids.  The thunderstorms and rain that came on Saturday, to the delight of all, particularly children, provided the perfect element to watch children thrive. 

It did not take very long for many children to enjoy the water present in many situations.  Water, either coming down from the sky, puddling and running down the street, or even through downspouts provided the perfect element for children to enjoy. Many children came running joyfully right down the stream of water draining the main thoroughfare.  At times, running simply was not enough; many children resorted to rolling in it.  Their giggles and laughter contagiously carried to many bystanders watching them from under buildings’ eaves.  One, more adventurous youth, decided to drink water discharging from the downspouts of the Watson Livestock Arena roof.  (Note to all concerned parents or health experts: by this time, it had rained sufficiently to rinse the metal roof of the building clean).  Once he tasted it, he looked around satisfied that he had tried one new thing in his young life.

For many other youths, who chose to remain indoors, a pickup game of soccer on the sands of the Watson Livestock Arena gave them the opportunity to flex their muscles and use their lungs.  For any adult witnessing this game, it was difficult to tell who belonged to what team or even where the goal posts were.  Never mind what we adults thought, the children had their own rules. Or did they?  At some point, perhaps imitating some so-called professional teams’ behavior during the recently completed World Cup, tempers flared. It took an adult referee to talk sense back into the situation.  With great skill, this individual diffused the situation; peace was promptly restored and children gained new experience.

What, might you ask, does any of this have to do with resiliency in American agriculture?  Although I do not hold a degree in psychology or child development, when children act as children, exploring, testing, learning, and interacting with their peers, they develop their own sense of self while learning to manage inter-personal relationships.  This is crucial to the development of a well-adjusted adult. 

Someday, like their parents, some of these youth will take the reins of their parents’ businesses or begin their own.  The experiences they accumulate as young people, including their days at the Cuming County Fair, will be the basis for their success as adults. In the meantime, I am grateful the Cuming County Ag Society, the Cuming County Fair Board, Cuming County 4-H, Cuming County Extension, and many volunteers and parents make this experience possible.  American agriculture is resilient because it invests in its youth.

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Week of July 27, 2026

Cow size and efficiency 

Much is written about what it costs to keep a cow in America and how size affects costs. Recently, we reported on cow weight increases over time associated with heavier carcasses from fed cattle. 

If cows are getting heavier, at least relative to the weights of cows originally studied in the 1980’s, what are the implications on their energy requirements for maintenance? I had the opportunity to investigate how the requirements of cows resulting from modern genetics changed. In addition, I studied whether breed, region of the country, stage of production, and metabolic activity affected their energy requirements. 

The good news is that despite a trend for heavier cows, their energy requirements for maintenance per unit of metabolic size have not changed. Neither region of the country nor whether cows were the product of beef or beef x dairy crosses affected energy requirements. This is good news unless of course as cows got heavy, weaning weight of their calves did not increase to compensate for greater energy needs.

Using data from auction markets reporting to USDA between 2019 and 2026, we determined calf weights for Northwest, Northern Plains, Midwest, Northeast, Southwest, Southern Plains, and Southeast regions of the country. Except for calves in the Southern Plains, cows in northern states had calves that weighed 40 lb more than cows in other southern states.  Yet, cows in northern states were also heavier (they should be weaning heavier calves to compensate for greater maintenance requirements).

Relative to their requirements, however, cows produced calves in either region at the same efficiency. It takes 4,600 to 4,900 lb of TDN (or from 8,300 to 8,800 lb hay) to produce a weaned calf weighing 510 or 550 lb in southern or northern states respectively.  Calculating the ratio of weaned calf to TDN results in an efficiency of energy capture of 11%.  Data from cows tested in the 1980’s resulted in similar efficiency of energy capture. 

We can safely conclude that although cows have gotten heavier, their offspring is also heavier offsetting the net increase in energy requirements of the modern beef cow.  Some of us believe this increase in weight was necessary to permit their offspring to reach harvest weights needed to maintain beef production at the current (and perhaps) future cowherd inventories. 

Relative to the efficiency of energy transformation of solar panels from solar to electric (around 25%), the humble cow may be considered only half as efficient.  Yet, production of calves to weaning (and beyond) incorporates use of forage fiber of little use to other livestock or humans.  Therefore, this system relies on energy sources that result from photosynthesis transforming forage nutrients into nutritious and flavorful beef protein and other beef nutrients. 

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Week of July 13, 2026

Cow efficiency in America

Federico Podversich*, Connor Biehler† and Alfredo DiCostanzo†

*Post doctoral fellow, South Dakota State University, †Extension Educator, University of Nebraska

Recently, in preparation for a national talk on cow energetics, my co-authors and I compiled and analyzed weights of cull cows sold through US auctions reported by USDA since 2019.  Because the task of compiling cow weights directly from farms and ranches in the US would be impossible, and any attempt to obtain representative samples would likely end up in extreme bias, we considered weights of three classes of slaughter cows (USDA Breaker, USDA Boner and USDA Lean) to represent the weights of cows in US herds. 

We all wish we could have had access to records prior to 2019 to generate a longer trajectory for our analyses, but changes in USDA Market News reporting prevent incorporation of data prior to April of 2019.  Regardless, as most readers will surmise, this endeavor generated a tremendous amount of data, over 1.5 million records.  The real test of this challenge is to understand what we learned from this exercise and what it means to American beef production.

For some time, many industry analysts have recognized how efficient the American beef producer is.  Yet, as carcass weights of fed cattle increase, many wonder whether cow weights are also increasing and what effect that has on cow production efficiency. 

For our analysis, cow weights derived from local sale barns reporting were pooled by state and then by region.  Regions were divided into seven, representing distinct production geographical and ranch and farm management production areas, namely Northwest, Northern Plains, Midwest, Northeast, Southwest, Southern Plains, and Southeast. We expected that environmental conditions in southern regions would result in lighter cow weights. Production conditions in most northern states, although affected by climate (and terrain), generally result in better feed supply.

As expected, cows sold in northern states were on average 166 lb heavier than those sold in southern states.  Average weight of cows sold in northern states was 1,350 lb while those sold in southern states weighed 1,182 lb.  This reveals that farmers and ranchers in each of these regions are managing genetics of their herds to fit environmental conditions unique to the regions where they raise cattle. 

During the period between April 2019 and May 2026, carcass weights of fed cattle increased from a low of 827 lb in May 2019 to 946 lb in May of 2026. That is an increase of 119 lb over 7 years. 

Using the cow weight data, we tested whether cow weights have increased since 2019.  Using the average for the entire country (ignoring regional differences), cull cow weights increased from 1,263 lb in 2019 to 1,289 lb in 2026.  That is an increase of 26 lb over 7 years. 

Averaging each increase (carcass from fed cattle and cow weights) results in a net yearly change in carcass weights of 17 lb and a net yearly change in cow weight of 4 lb. 

Although one cannot directly associate cull cow weights to fed cattle carcass weights (example, current cow weights represent cows whose offspring has not been harvested), the average US beef cow genetics is responding to market demands. 

It is also evident that cow production efficiency is increasing: one lb increase in cow weight represents 4 lb increase in carcass weight.

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Rural Health

Hannah Guenther, Extension Educator

Week of August 3, 2026

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

Every five years, nutrition gets a makeover. New headlines pop up, social media debates begin, and it can seem like the rules for healthy eating have changed yet again. If you're wondering whether you should still be following MyPlate or if there's a new pyramid to learn, you're not alone. While the illustrations have certainly changed over the years, the purpose of the Dietary Guidelines has remained the same: to provide evidence-based recommendations that help Americans make healthy food choices. In this article series, we'll unpack the newest guidance, starting with what the Dietary Guidelines actually are and why this upside-down pyramid is getting so much attention.

What are Dietary Guidelines? Food based dietary guidelines are recommendations regarding specific nutritional principles based on current evidence and over 100 countries around the world have them! The goal is truly to promote human health and reduce chronic disease in their specific country. These guidelines typically use visual tools to make it easier for audiences to understand. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) are created by the United States Department of Agriculture as well as the Department of Health and Human Services. They are written every 5 years and utilize a scientific advisory committee to review current nutrition research. 

Why do we have Dietary Guidelines? Although dietary guidelines aren’t typically a part of our daily life at home or in the kitchen, they do play a huge role in influencing the National School Lunch Program and other federal programs. The Guidelines shape what we teach in schools, how we develop educational programs, and the recommendations we share with individuals and families who want to improve their health and lower their risk of chronic disease.

The Current Guidelines: So let’s talk about the current pyramid, including what are the current recommendations are and how you can implement the Dietary Guidelines in your daily life: 

• Protein: one of biggest changes in the pyramid is the push towards protein. Protein is a key nutrient throughout the life cycle. It is important to VARY YOUR PROTEIN sources to include fish, nuts, and eggs in addition to red meat. 
• Avoid Processed Foods: if you look at the pyramid you will see that it a made up primarily of WHOLE FOODS, this is to emphasize the importance of reducing ultra processed foods.
• Whole Grains: although grains are at the bottom of the pyramid that doesn’t mean that they should be avoided! Whole grains are an important part of the diet and prioritizing fiber is key. 

We've only scratched the surface of the new Dietary Guidelines – hence the series! In Part II, we'll dive into the remaining recommendations and discuss practical ways to put them into action in your own kitchen. 

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Week of July 20, 2026

Back to the Basics of Food Safety

What a terrible time to be afraid to eat fresh produce! Summer is the peak season for fresh produce, but the most recent news of parasitic diarrhea has everyone a little more cautious about consuming fresh produce. It is easy to want to head straight to the fridge and throw out everything and while outbreaks certainly deserve our attention, they also serve as a good reminder that the same food safety habits we practice every day are still our best defense.

Rather than focusing only on one illness, let's take a step back and review a few simple ways to protect yourself and your family from foodborne illnesses.

Wash Your Fresh Produce: Whenever food safety makes the headlines, one of the first questions people ask is, "Should I wash everything?" Fresh fruits and vegetables should always be rinsed under cool running water before eating, cutting, or cooking. That includes produce with peels like melons, avocados, and oranges. Even though you don't eat the outside, your knife can carry germs from the peel onto the fruit or vegetable inside.

The one exception? If the package says "pre-washed," "triple-washed," or "ready-to-eat," it's already been cleaned and doesn't need another rinse. In fact, washing bagged salads again may actually introduce bacteria from your sink or countertops if they aren't clean. 

And don’t forget to skip the soap. Fruits and vegetables are porous and can absorb soap residue. Plain running water is all you need.

Keep Raw Meat Separate: One thing that doesn’t require washing is your raw protein! Raw meat, poultry, and seafood naturally carry bacteria that are destroyed during cooking. Washing raw chicken or other meats doesn't remove those bacteria. Instead, it can splash contaminated water around your sink, countertops, dishes, and even nearby foods. The safest approach is simple: move meat directly from the package to the pan, wash your hands afterward, and use a food thermometer to ensure it reaches a safe internal temperature.

The #1 Tip!: If there is one habit that prevents more foodborne illness than almost anything else, it's washing your hands. Wash with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before preparing food, after handling raw meat, after using the restroom, after touching pets, and before sitting down to eat. Need a timer? Hum "Happy Birthday" twice, and you'll be right around 20 seconds.

For more information on food safety go to: https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/

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Week of July 6, 2026

A Long List of Healthy Summer Snacks

Oh, my goodness, this summer has been crazy. I know I am not alone in this feeling. Between balancing Charlotte’s schedule, the hay’s schedule, and trying to spend as much time outside and at the lake, it’s been crazy. We are never in one place for very long, which means that sitting down to meals is a challenge. During the summer months, our house relies heavily on healthy snacks to fuel Charlotte, Adam, and me between activities and events. So here is a long list of healthy, summer snacks! 

1. Carrots with Ranch

So, we all know and love the traditional take on carrots and ranch, but have you tried the new ranch carrots that have taken over the internet? Simply place baby carrots into a sandwich bag and sprinkle with ranch dip seasoning. Toss around until coated, adding more as needed, and enjoy! It’s a fun take on carrots with ranch that’s portable and delicious. 

2. Homemade Granola with yogurt

Great for breakfast or a snack, Charlotte and I both love yogurt with granola for a hot weather snack. Store bought granola can be high in added sugar and very expensive. Here is a simple recipe to make at home. Add 3 cups of cheerios and 2 cups of oats to a large bowl. Add ¾ cup chopped nuts of your choice and 3/4 cup of dried fruit. In a smaller bowl, mix 1/2 cup oil, 1/3 cup honey, 1 tsp vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Pour of cereal mixture and toss until completely combined. Pour into a greased baking dish and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Let it cool completely before breaking up into bite sized pieces and storing in the refrigerator. 

3. Fruit Kabobs

I can slice up a peach and some watermelon and place it in front of Charlotte, but one more step takes a simple fruit snack up a notch! Grab a kabob stick and layer various fruits. We like to include peaches, watermelon, and pineapple or whatever local fruit we can get our hands on! 

4. Popcorn

Did you know popcorn is a whole grain? Whole grains are digested slower which means a slow –sustained release of energy carrying you through all your summer activities. Our favorite addition to regular popcorn is a sprinkle of Mike’s Seasoning! 

5. Cucumber with Mike’s seasoning

While on the topic of Mike’s, one of the most refreshing summer snacks is simple sliced cucumbers topped with Mike’s seasoning. So simple, so delicious. 

6. Banana Smoothie 

If we have enough time, I try to whip up a simple banana smoothie that is portable and delicious. Simply add 1 banana to a blender, with 2 tbsp honey, 1 cup low fat milk, and ½ cup of ice. You can get creative by adding a scoop of peanut butter or some cocoa powder! 

7. Chips and Cheese

Chips and dip is forever my snack of choice – blame it on my Texas roots. Charlotte takes her chips up a notch with the addition of melted cheese on top of her chips. I love it and love that charlotte can make this one all on her own! 

8. Frozen Banana Bites 

Two ingredients and perfect for a hot day! Slice up a banana and spread with peanut butter. Place another banana slice on top to from a sandwich. Place it on a paper plate and freeze for 3-4 hours. Place in a Ziplock bag and store in the freezer until ready to eat! They go great with a glass of cold milk. 

So next time you hear “I’m hungry”, hopefully this long list of healthy snacks comes in handy! 

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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. 

1. 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!)
2. 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. 
3. 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.
4. 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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