Week of July 7, 2025
Partners in Prevention Screenings Offered
Are you up to date on your cancer screenings? Join us for the Partners in Prevention Cancer Screening Event on Saturday, July 12th from 9 AM to 12 PM at 430 N Monitor Street in West Point, Nebraska.
This free event offers breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancer screenings, along with HPV vaccinations, oral health education, and helpful tips on nutrition, sun safety, and weight management. No insurance required — services are confidential and open to all ages.
Meet with onsite clinicians to learn what screenings are right for you — and don’t miss Rolanda the Inflatable Colon!
Protect your health. Take a step toward prevention. See you on July 12th!
SOURCE: Hannah Guenther, Extension Educator
RELEASE DATE: July 7, 2025
You’re Invited to the Cuming County 4-H Pool Party & Volleyball Extravaganza!
The Cuming County 4-H Council would like to invite all active Cuming County 4-H members and leaders to a pool party at the Donald E. Nielsen Aquatic Center on Wednesday, July 16 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. to celebrate the 4-H season. Pool entry fees and Jersey Sweet Ice Cream treats are being paid for by the Cuming County 4-H Council.
From 7:00-9:00 p.m. there will be sand volleyball (Neligh Park) for active 4-H members age 12-18. Come and have fun. A little competition is good for the soul. Treats will be served as well.
-30-
SOURCE; Melissa Hagemeister, Extension Associate
RELEASE DATE: June 30, 2025
Cuming County 4-H Cook-Off Contest
On Thursday, June 26, 2025, Cuming County 4-H hosted their annual Cook-Off Contest and Culinary Challenge at the Wisner-Pilger Jr.-Sr. High School. The 4-H Cook-Off Contest is an event where 4-H youth can create unique dishes with different meat groups, Poultry, Beef and Pork. Following the event, ribbons were awarded and the top participant in beef, poultry, and pork were recognized. All medals and trophies will be handed out at Fashion Revue on Friday, August 8th.
The results of the 4-H Cook-Off contest are as follows:
Poultry Division:
Beckett Hansen - Chicken Smash Burgers, 1st purple. Purples to Emma Jacobsen - Marry Me Chicken Pasta, Nora Lewis - Ranch Chicken, and blue ribbon Colton Schrad - Easy Thanksgiving Anytime.
Pork Division:
Daltyn Hansen - Blackstone Grilled Kielbasa & Tortellini, 1st purple. Other purple ribbon winners Olivia Jacobsen - Slow Cooker Texas Pulled Pork and Colton Schrad - BBQ Meatballs.
Beef Division:
Daltyn Hansen, No peek Beef Tips & Gravy, 1st purple. Other purple ribbon winners were James Bloedorn - Cheeseburger Pie, Lindsey Borgelt - Great Grandma Dorothy’s Salisbury Steak, and Colton Schrad - Creamy Bacon Ranch Alfredo Pizza.
Overall, Champion Cook-Off Contest – Daltyn Hansen, No Peek Beef Tips & Gravy and Overall Reserve Champion Cook-Off Contest – Beckett Hansen, Chicken Smash Burgers
-30-
SOURCE: Melissa Hagemeister, Extension Associate
RELEASE DATE: June 30, 2025
Cuming County 4-H Culinary Challenge
The Culinary Challenge was held on Thursday, June 26th at the Wisner-Pilger Jr.-Sr. High School in conjunction with the Cook-Off Contest. This contest has youth prepare a table setting with a theme and prepare one recipe to go along with their menu. Youth design a fun theme and include a favorite recipe. The contest is divided into Junior, Intermediate, and Senior divisions. Ribbons were awarded at the conclusion of the contest. All medals and trophies will be handed out at Fashion Revue on Friday, August 8th.
The results from the Culinary Challenge are as follows:
Junior Division:
Champion – James Bloedorn (Chocolate Pie)
Purples – Harper Haymart (Sorting Hat Cupcakes); Hadley Goeden (Apple Volcanoes; Brynn King (Puppy Chow)
Intermediate Division:
Champion – Annamae Bloedorn (Tartlet Shells)
Purples – Olivia Jacobsen (White Chocolate Raspberry Bundt Cake); Nora Lewis (Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts)
Senior Division:
Champion – Lindsey Borgelt (Lindsey’s Vanilla Cake)
Purple – Emma Jacobsen (Emma’s Mac & Cheese)
-30-
SOURCE: Melissa Hagemeister, Extension Associate
RELEASE DATE: June 30, 2025
Summer Cow-Calf Association Tour
The Cuming County Cow-Calf Association is inviting you to an educational event on Tuesday, July 15. This event is open to cattle producers in Cuming and surrounding counties.
We will travel to the UNL Eastern Nebraska Research Extension and Education Center (ENREEC) at 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, NE 68033-2234. Please meet north of the Cuming County Courthouse at 10:15 a.m. to carpool. We will have lunch in Wahoo (TBD).
This is an opportunity to tour the new feedlot facilities after a year of operation. We will do the beef cattle feedlot tour at 1:00 p.m. followed by a tour of the cow-calf and forage area at 3:00 p.m.
Please RSVP by calling University of Nebraska Extension in Cuming County at 402-372-6006 or email mlueckenhoff1@unl.edu by July 11th.
-30-
SOURCE: Alfredo DiCostanzo, Extension Educator
RELEASE DATE: June 30, 2025
The Cuming County 4-H Council will meet on Tuesday, July 15, at 7:00 p.m. in the Cuming County Courthouse Meeting Room. The full agenda for the meeting is available for review at the Extension Office.
-30-
SOURCE: Melissa Hagemeister, Extension Associate
RELEASE DATE: June 30, 2025
Cuming County 4-H Youth Compete at the Premier Communications Event
The Nebraska 4-H Premier Communication Event features a variety of state-level communication contests. The two-day event is held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln East Campus. The event is designed to provide youth with an opportunity to:
- showcase their learning and skills in communication
- explore issues related to the communication industry
- discover college and career opportunities
- meet other 4-H youth from across the state
Youth participate in a variety of contests focused upon communication, presentation, and public speaking. In addition, youth will have chances to explore East Campus, participate in learning sessions and tours, and have fun with friends!
Cuming County had seven youth compete in numerous events. To compete at the Premier Communications Event, youth had to receive a purple ribbon at the local 4-H Communications Contest, which was held in March in West Point.
Results …
Public Speaking –
- Harper Haymart (Jr) – Blue
- Speech title – “Why I Want to be in 4-H”
- Bentley Sateren (Int) – Blue
- Speech title – “4-H Party”
- Carlie Stutzman (Int) – Purple & 3rd place
- Speech title – “New Things”
Public Service Announcement –
Theme:Ready Through 4-H … & Beyond
- Bentley Sateren (Int) - Purple
- Campbell Snodgrass (Sr) – Purple
- Joshua Snodgrass (Sr) - Purple
Illustrated Presentation -
- James Bloedorn (Jr) – Purple
- Title – “Skinny Pancakes”
- Annamae Bloedorn (Int) – Purple Ribbon and 3rd place
- Title – Tying it Back to 4-H”
Video Communication -
- James Bloedorn (Jr) – Purple & Top 5
- Title – “Some Possible Futures in 4-H”
Impromptu Speech -
- Annamae Bloedorn (Int) – Purple & 2nd place
- Carlie Stutzman (Int) – Purple & 3rd place
Pictures sent are from the families of the 4-H members.
-30-
SOURCE: Melissa Hagemeister, Extension Associate
RELEASE DATE: June 30, 2025
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 planted 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.
-30-
SOURCE: Jerry Volesky, Extension Educator
RELEASE DATE: June 30, 2025
Wheat harvest usually pegs the half-way point in the Nebraska crop growing season. As hot days shutdown wheat growth; though, there are still adequate growing season days left for new plantings of forage or cover crops following wheat harvest if soil surface moisture is not a limiting factor.
Warm season forages such as sudangrass, teff, pearl millet, foxtail millet and forage sorghum are summer annuals that peak their production in July and August. These species usually peg hay forage yield potential at two to three tons per acre if planted soon after wheat harvest. Irrigated early maturing corn or solid seeded soybeans can also be viable silage or hay options if planted at higher seeding rates.
Oats and turnips planted in late July to early August can be another option for fall grazing if hard freezes are delayed. However, if irrigation is not an option, then forage sorghum is likely a better choice.
Sunflowers can also be a good short-season silage option; since this crop can survive light frosts. The biggest concern with planting sunflowers, though, is potential volunteer wheat surviving in sunflowers due to limited herbicides.
In 2025, almost all Nebraska wheat fields experienced Wheat Streak Mosaic disease yield losses. Since volunteer wheat and rye cover crops can host wheat curl mites and vector this disease to newly planted wheat fields; be kind to your neighbors and control volunteer at least two weeks prior to fall wheat plantings emergence.
On sandy soils, foxtail millet and pearl millet might be better for summer hay production due to drying faster and not regrowing after cutting; thus, preserving moisture for subsequent crops.
Cane hay has traditionally been grown for high tonnage, but it usually has lower feed value and dries slower than hybrid sorghums and millets. Teff provides excellent quality as a soft, leafy forage especially appealing for horses, but has lower tonnage compared to other summer annuals.
More information regarding forages following wheat is available at: https://cropwatch.unl.edu
-30-
SOURCE: Todd Whitney, Extension Educator
RELEASE DATE: June 30, 2025
Sub-Irrigated Meadow Hay Harvest
July traditionally means the beginning of the haying season for Sandhills subirrigated meadows. A key point related to the quality of meadow hay is harvest date. Crude protein and energy concentration decline as plants become stemmy and mature. As this happens, the types of livestock that can be fed that hay with little or no supplements become more limited.
A good practice can be to record harvest dates for different meadow fields. Quality of hay cut in early July could vary significantly compared to hay cut in late-July or August. Including notes if hay was impacted by rain before baling can also be useful. This information, along with hay tests can be useful when making hay feeding decisions this winter and next spring. Also remember that earlier meadow harvest will provide a longer regrowth period and extra growth for fall grazing.
Within some meadows, there can be variation in hay quality depending on plant species that are present. Sedges and rushes are most common in the wettest and lower parts of meadows and these species are lower in quality compared to grasses.
The extra rain received in parts of Nebraska this year has been mostly welcome. But excess rain can make some meadows impossible to even get in to cut the hay. When hay is in demand, waiting until the ground dries and firms up enough to drive haying equipment over it is an option, but the quality of this late cut hay will be lower.
-30-
SOURCE: Ben Beckman, Extension Educator
RELEASE DATE: June 30, 2025
4-H Clover Kid Camp will be held on Thursday, July 17th in the Dinklage Building at the Cuming County Fairgrounds. This camp is open to youth ages 5-7. 4-H youth will have priority when registering. Registration will be completed online and is due July 10th. Payment is required to be dropped off or mailed to the Extension Office and be postmarked by the deadline. Registration link: https://go.unl.edu/cloverkidcamp
-30-
SOURCE: Melissa Hagemeister, Extension Associate
RELEASE DATE: April 14, 2025
- The Fremont 4-H Expo Shooting Sports contest will be held on July 11 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 2025 Fremont 4-H Expo so make sure you check out the 2025 Schedule!
https://go.unl.edu/4hexposchedule2025
- The Sheep will check in on Thursday morning with the show starting at 11 am. The Dairy Cattle Show will be on Thursday morning with check-in beginning at 8:00 am. The Dog Show has been changed to Thursday.
-30-
SOURCE: LISA Poppe, Extension Educator
RELEASE DATE: June 16, 2025
Common Sense Farming and Ranching
Alfredo DiCostanzo, Beef Systems Extension Educator
University of Nebraska
June 30, 2025
Summer breeze: the title of a song also spells relief for cattle
Summer Breeze is the title of a single released in 1972 by Seals and Croft for their album by the same name. Disclaimer: I know very little about music. I simply looked this information up on the Wide World Web.
Although for some of us transplants from locations where the feel of a stiff breeze are windspeeds barely above 10 mph, high plains wind patterns are a welcome feature in the summer. For cattle (and other creatures including humans), the summer breeze represents a major source of relief when temperatures climb above 80 degrees and humidity increases.
The first heat wave of 2025 brought temperatures over 90° F with plenty of high heat warnings for anyone doing work outdoors. Yet, thanks to stiff summer breezes, the expected outcomes on cattle health with such extreme heat did not materialize.
The average temperatures for Wednesday June 18 to Monday June 23 were 64.9°, 73.0°, 85.7°, 89.1°, 86.5°, and 72.8° F, respectively. Heat warnings were warranted. From June 20 to June 22 (Friday through Sunday), maximum temperatures reached from 94° to 98° F. Thankfully, wind speeds averaged from 16 to 20 mph with maximum speeds of 26 to 32 mph.
Calculating the results of these observations as Cattle Comfort Index values (CCI, a measure of comfort felt by cattle based on temperature, relative humidity, windspeed and solar radiation available now at the High Plains Regional Climate Center at https://hprcc.unl.edu/stationtool/explore.php#) provides an idea of how comfortable cattle were during that weekend (a reference to interpreting CCI values is listed in the table below).
Stress level | Low end | High end |
None | < 77 | |
Mild | 77 | 86 |
Moderate | 86 | 95 |
Severe | 95 | 104 |
Extreme | 104 | 113 |
Extreme severe | > 113 |
|
Using average values for temperature, humidity and windspeed, and assuming zero cloud cover (full solar radiation), cattle were the least comfortable on Saturday when the CCI reached 95 (considered severe heat stress). On Friday or Sunday, CCI values were 93 for both days. These values correspond to mild heat stress.
For cattle penned outdoors, windspeed might be the only relief factor during days when temperature and/or humidity increase. Reduction of solar radiation (shade) would be the other relief factor. Under 70% solar blocking (what most cattle shades provide), while keeping all other climate observations equal, CCI values would have been further reduced to 91 on Saturday or 88 for Friday and Sunday.
While it is clear the summer breeze is our ally to prevent excessive heat stress on cattle, it is important to appreciate how much breeze reaches cattle. When a steer is standing, the height at the withers is close to 5 feet. Height at the head for a steer laying down with their head upright is only 3 feet. This means that any barriers at this height would prevent airflow from cooling cattle even on windy days.
This emphasizes the importance of removing wind barriers around pens whether it is left over windbreaks (structures or bales) and weed growth. Mowing or chemically controlling weeds around pens also aids in reducing fly populations.
Lastly, any factors contributing to cattle bunching together such as flies or limited shade will also reduce airflow. Therefore, fly control on cattle and premises and sufficient shade provision or use of bedding to spread cattle around on high wind areas of the pen are also recommended to ensure summer breezes bring on heat stress relief.
# # #
June 16, 2025
Mid-year cattle market correction?
As quick as the blink of an eye, mid-year 2025 is here. For the cow-calf, backgrounder and finishing segments of the industry, prices have trended positively, even out of season for fed cattle. The week after Memorial Day brought the highest fed cattle price from the Nebraska Weekly Weighted Average at over $240/cwt live and nearly $385/cwt in the meat. Feeder cattle prices also held up through that week. Cull cows are trading at $160/cwt.
As I have indicated previously, this is payday for the cattle industry and it is a time for cattle feeders, grow yards, and cow-calf operators to maximize income. Who knows how much more time we have before prices correct themselves by some external factor or growth in cattle inventory.
Interestingly, last week brought a market correction: a correction generated by an extremely unexpected action. Whether as a response to the riots in LA where demonstrators took to the streets, in many cases violently, to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids or to further make a case about immigration enforcement, ICE raided several agri-businesses, most notably Glenn Valley Foods in Omaha. (Glenn Valley Foods is a meat processor which produces roasts, steaks diced products, and Philly steaks for sale to food service, retailers, and consumers.) Enforcement action brought intense uncertainty particularly to agricultural operations right here in Cuming County.
Collectively, estimates of participation by immigrant labor in agricultural operations is slightly above 40%. One might argue that for livestock operations, especially cattle feeding, the proportion of immigrant labor may be larger. Within this population, a variety of options exist to work legally in this country. Yet, the raid at Glenn Valley Foods, an operation that relies on E-Verify (Home | E-Verify) to confirm eligibility of employees to work in the U.S., and subsequent arrests of individuals who allegedly used stolen identities demonstrated that even with a government-based verification system fraud still occurs.
This action led to slow operations at this and other meat processors and packing plants. Packing plants in Omaha slowed or postponed cattle harvests for at least one shift last week. Concerns about potential ICE raids at cattle feedlots also created uncertainty and confusion.
Although the Nebraska Weekly Direct Slaughter Cattle - Negotiated Purchases is not out for last week yet, Northern fed cattle trade was reported par with the previous week. If that holds for Nebraska, one might say that this was due to the disruption brought by the uncertainty generated by ICE raids. Prices reported by the Nebraska Weekly Direct Slaughter Cattle report demonstrated a positive trend since the start of 2025.
It is not hard to imagine that a market bearish reaction was caused by ICE raids and the possibility of more raids coming. After all, we are entering peak season for heat and humidity events. Nobody wishes to be caught with more cattle on feed than the crew can handle.
Similarly, because of cattle prices, packers have been operating in the red for some time. It is difficult to plan operations when partial crews show up for work because some are arrested or remain home in fear of being arrested.
Thankfully, at least for now, President Trump’s stance on immigration led to an updated guidance on workforce enforcement: to hold on all worksite enforcement investigations/operations on agriculture (including aquaculture and meat-packing plants), restaurants, and operating hotels. Under this guidance, case investigations for such crimes as human trafficking, money laundering, drug smuggling in these industries will continue.
In the world of politics, pundits like to point out policy decisions and their reversal by politicians as a sign of weakness. I, on the other hand, applaud the reversal of this policy.
Shortly after the ICE raid in Omaha, the executive board of NE Cattlemen’s meeting, incidentally, gathered for the mid-year meeting, reached out to their contacts in Washington informing them of the implications of continued raids and uncertainty created by what appeared a tougher stance on enforcement. Concurrently, the Cuming County Feeders Association worked directly with Nebraska Cattlemen and Senator Ricketts.
As the pundits put it: “President Trump bowed to pressure from businesses that have been warning of economic devastation.” As anyone with less interest in politics or political posturing sees it, taking a measured approach at enforcing immigration is necessary for smooth transition to a solution.
The situation that was created early last week is not good for the industry and has implications far beyond removal of suspected illegal immigrants. The obvious one: food supply or hospitality service to individuals doing business or enjoying their vacation would be disrupted, particularly as summer vacation season begins.
Closer to home, full enforcement of immigration laws would lead to livestock not being cared for properly. At a time when we expect heat and humidity to increase, short-handed crews might not be able to properly care for cattle.
Lastly, we shall hope these disruptions become incentives for lawmakers to create a solution to the immigrant worker visa issue. With an inherent labor shortage, I cannot think of any other more pressing issue.
# # #
Week of June 2, 2025
Cow breeding mathematics
As bulls are getting prepared for pasture turnout with cows, or producers are busy setting up cows and heifers for a date with the artificial insemination (AI) technician, it makes sense to re-evaluate the mathematics of getting cows bred. This is particularly important when feeder calf prices are at levels we have not seen before.
As I work through this exercise, I will emphasize that it is a theoretical approximation to real life. Therefore, I will skip direct reference to market conditions for the sake of simplifying the exercise. However, the important information to be gleaned from these exercises is their relative effect on gross revenue. This information can then be used to make decisions.
For starters, a feeder calf selling in the fall of 2026 should be valued at $2,000 weighing 550 lb. The cost of keeping a cow (feed, veterinary, breeding, taxes, depreciation, labor, etc.) is $1,500 regardless of whether they wean a calf or not. I will assume that birth weights are 80 lb and calves are weaned at 210 days of age.
The remainder of the calculations will be based on each pregnancy, calving and weaning event but, to approximate reality, a pregnancy and weaning success rate must be built into the exercise. For the sake of this exercise, I am going to assume a 90% weaning rate. This is equivalent to a 495 lb effective weaning weight (550 lb multiplied by 0.90). In other words, the revenue from each calf sold is $2,000 but because only 90 calves out of each 100 cows exposed are sold, gross revenue is $1,800 per calf.
There would be 10 cows sold (assuming no cow died) out of 100 cows exposed because they failed to become pregnant or because they failed to wean a calf. If cows weigh 1,500 lb, then 15,000 lb of cull cow selling at $1.50/lb would bring an extra $22,500 to the operation.
So, far gross revenue is $202,500 ($180,000 from 90 calves sold plus $22,500 from 10 cull cows sold) or $2,250 per calf sold. Subtracting $150,000 for cow costs results in a net return of $52,500 or $583 per calf sold.
This scenario should approximate what cow-calf operations are achieving or expecting to achieve under current market conditions. These figures alone should be taken as incentives to produce more pounds at weaning.
Incidentally, this same incentive is observed in finishing operations where 3 lb of live gain transform to 2.25 lb of carcass gain currently valued at $8.21. With daily feeding costs around $2.50 and yardage at $0.55, the margin (over $5/head daily) is reason enough to push cattle to heavier weights.
A similar situation is currently playing out in cow-calf operations.
If a cow pregnancy lasts 281 days and there are 365 days in the year, maintaining productivity at one calf per year requires that a cow become pregnant within the first 84 days after delivering a calf. If we dismiss the first 28 days after calving as recovery time, then a cow has 56 days to become pregnant.
Recognizing that estrous cycles last 21 days, then a cow has barely 2 plus opportunities to become pregnant in 56 days.
If a cow fails to become pregnant or she loses a calf before weaning the loss in gross revenue is $2,000 per calf. Selling a cull cow, although currently attractive, reduces the production line. Purchasing a replacement for this cow would cost between $3,000 and $4,000 in addition to the $1,500 unpaid expenses because there was no calf to sell.
Alternatively, what is the incentive to ensure that each cow becomes pregnant as soon as possible in the 56-day window? If calves wean at 550 lb and are born weighing 80 lb, then they must be gaining 2.25 lb daily (470 lb in 210 days). The difference in value, based on weight, between a calf conceived on day 1 versus a calf conceived on day 56 is 125 lb. At $3.63/lb the value difference is $455.
This means that cow-calf producers have an incentive of $8.12 daily to ensure that cows conceive as early in the breeding season as possible. Put in other words, a cow-calf producer can spend as much as $8.12 daily to ensure that cows conceive as soon as possible.
How will you ensure that cows become pregnant within this period? A few come to mind:
- Bull soundness examinations
- Pre-breeding bull management to prevent negative interactions during breeding
- Appropriate vaccination programs for cows and bulls
- Separating first-exposed- and first-calf heifers from the main herd and ensuring they are gaining weight to achieve a body condition score greater than 5 at breeding
- Timed-artificial insemination followed by pregnancy detection by ultrasound at 30 days post-insemination
- Considering age and condition of bulls and terrain to determine cow-to-bull ratio
- Managing breeding pastures to prevent negative bull interactions
- Pregnancy detection by ultrasound as soon as possible after bull removal
# # #
Rural Health
Hannah Guenther, Extension Educator
Week of July 7, 2025
Partners in Prevention Screenings Offered
Are you up to date on your cancer screenings? Join us for the Partners in Prevention Cancer Screening Event on Saturday, July 12th from 9 AM to 12 PM at 430 N Monitor Street in West Point, Nebraska.
This free event offers breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancer screenings, along with HPV vaccinations, oral health education, and helpful tips on nutrition, sun safety, and weight management. No insurance required — services are confidential and open to all ages.
Meet with onsite clinicians to learn what screenings are right for you — and don’t miss Rolanda the Inflatable Colon!
Protect your health. Take a step toward prevention. See you on July 12th!
# # #
Week of June 23, 2025
Partners in Prevention: Community Cancer Screening Event – July 12th
As many of you know, I recently transitioned from my role as a county-based Food, Nutrition, and Health Extension Educator into a new position as a statewide Rural Health Extension Educator. This shift allows me to focus more deeply on improving health outcomes for rural communities across Nebraska.
Data shows that individuals living in rural areas are at higher risk for chronic diseases—including cancer. While we work toward reversing these statistics, one of the most effective ways we can make an impact right now is by increasing cancer screening rates. Early detection significantly improves cancer survival rates.
That’s why I’m excited to invite you to the Partners in Prevention Community Cancer Screening Event, taking place Friday, July 12th, in West Point. This event is hosted in collaboration with the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Elkhorn Valley Public Health, Franciscan Healthcare, and Nebraska Extension.
This event is free and open to all, and eligible participants will have access to the following screenings:
- Colorectal cancer (FIT kits)
- Prostate cancer (PSA test)
- Breast cancer (mammography)
- Lung cancer (LDCT scans)
- HPV vaccinations – the only known vaccine that helps prevent up to 8 types of cancer!
If you are not eligible for screenings, there are still many opportunities to get involved and learn about cancer prevention. Educational booths will provide information on topics like healthy eating, sleep, and sun safety. Representatives will also be available to discuss health insurance options if you're currently uninsured – this event is truly for anyone.
Plus—don’t miss the chance to view your sun damage under a Sun Scope and walk through a life-size colon exhibit!
Date: Friday, July 12th, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Franciscan Healthcare, West Point, NE
For questions or more information, feel free to reach out to me at Hannah.guenther@unl.edu. Mark your calendars—this is one event you won’t want to miss!
# # #
Week of June 9, 2025
How to Create a Healthy Food Environment at Home
We always had a fruit bowl in our kitchen growing up. It was on the counter in the corner or occasionally on the breakfast table. It was always full of oranges, apples, bananas, pears, plums or peaches based on what was in season. Whenever my sisters and I would ask for a snack, my mom would always point to the bowl. It wasn’t the fruit gushers or fruit roll up we were hoping for, but we knew if we wanted a snack that the fruit bowl was always going to be our first stop. I didn’t know this at the time, but my mom was setting the tone for the food environment in our home. It is no small task to try to help those in your family to make healthy eating choices, but you can create a healthy food environment in your home that will help make the healthy choice the easy choice. Here are 4 ways you can create a healthy food environment at home:
1. Stock Your Fridge, Freezer, and Pantry
One of the best things you can do to help create a healthy food environment is to make sure that you have nutritious foods in your fridge, freezer, and pantry. When you open up the fridge and see a half empty jar of olives, a gallon of milk, and an apple, it’s easy to rely on convenience and fast foods to feed those around us. Try to make a “go to” grocery list, that you know can be used to make a variety of nutritious meals and aim to grocery shop once a week to keep the fridge, freezer, and pantry stocked.
2. Cut & Prep for Easy Grab and Go Options
You may want to enjoy some fresh fruit for a healthy snack, but you may be unwilling to take the time to wash, cut, and prep the produce leading to you grab those chips instead. To create healthier grab and go options, take some time after you shop to cut and prep fresh produce. Make sure to wash all produce under water before cutting according your preference. Picky Eaters in your home? A carrot is just a carrot, but a carrot peeled and cut on the bias feels like a brand new item! Try cutting fruits and vegetables in new ways and shapes to make them fun and enticing for young eaters.
3. Fill the Fruit Bowl
Another thing that I have learned from my mother was the fruit bowl. I always try to have a bowl of fruit front and center in the kitchen as a first stop for a healthy snack. I like to take it one step further by moving chips, fruit snacks, and other processed items behind pantry doors. Out of sight, out of mind and Charlotte is more likely to choose fresh fruit instead of a fruit snack. This also works in the fridge. Move healthier items to the forefront of the fridge like applesauce, yogurt, string cheese, lunch meat, fresh fruits and vegetables while keeping less healthy options towards the back.
4. Come to the Table
The final way to you can help improve your food environment is where to eat your meals. Try to sit down at the table as a family for most meals. Turn off the television and put away phones so that you are not distracted by technology. When you remove the distractions, you are able to focus more on the task at hand – eating! This also allows for more time spent communicating with family. Research has shown that sitting down to meals at the table as a family not only impacts nutrition but also relationships and communication skills. To get the conversation started come prepared with table questions! They can be as a simple as “what was for lunch at school today?” or as a meaningful as “what is one thing you are thankful for?” It is a simple way to start meaningful conversation with your family.
Take some time to review your food environment at home and see if there are any ways that you can better help your family make healthier eating choices.
# # #
Weekly News
- 4-H Clover Kid Camp
- Partners in Prevention Screenings Offered
- Fremont 4-H Expo
- You're Invited to the Cuming County 4-H Pool Party & Volleyball Extravaganza
- Cuming County 4-H Cook-Off Contest
- Cuming County 4-H Culinary Challenge
- Summer Cow-Calf Association Tour
- Cuming County 4-H Council
- Cuming County 4-H Youth Compete at the Premier Communications Event
- Grazing Summer Annual Forages
- Forages following Wheat
- Sub-Irrigated Meadow Hay Harvest
Common Sense Farming & Ranching
- Summer Breeze: the Title of a Song also Spells Relief for Cattle
- Mid-year Cattle Market Correction?
- Cow Breeding Mathematics