Weekly News Releases and Columns

Week of December 2, 2024

NEWS RELEASES

Farmers Tax Guides

Farmers can better understand their 2024 tax returns with help from a guide available through the IRS. The 2024 Farmers Tax Guide has illustrated examples, a sample return, and explains how the federal tax laws apply to farming.

The 2024 Farms Tax Guide is available for free to download from the IRS website https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p225.pdf

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RELEASE DATE: November 18, 2024

Confronting Cropping Challenges Program to be Offered in December 2024

The Confronting Cropping Challenges (CCC) is a Nebraska Extension program focused on the current and emerging cropping issues that impacted the northeastern area of the state during the 2024 growing season. This program is also intended to help producers make decisions for 2025. After the CCC, producers have the option to recertify their Private Pesticide Applicator License for those licenses expiring in 2025. This is the eighth year for the program, and responses from previous years have been very positive.

This year, the program will be offered in four locations across northeast Nebraska in December. The CCC is a 2.5-hour program starting at 1 p.m. central time. To receive Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification Training, attendees will need to participate from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. central time as well.

Locations and Dates:
• Tuesday, Dec. 3 at the Eastern Nebraska Research Extension and Education Center near Mead
• Wednesday, Dec. 4 in Leigh at the Colfax County Fairgrounds — 4-H Building
• Tuesday, Dec. 10 in Randolph at the City Auditorium
• Thursday, Dec. 12 in Neligh at the Antelope County Fair Grounds — Event Center

If you need to renew your private pesticide applicator license in 2025, please attend the whole program. Even though this training is being offered in 2024, you will not lose a year of certification on your license. Please note that this training will only offer recertification of private pesticide licenses. Those needing initial training will need to attend one of the other training courses offered in early 2025.

The cost for the program is $10 if you are only attending the CCC program. If you are being recertified for your Private Pesticide Applicator License, the cost will be $70. The additional $60 is the same as you would pay to be recertified at a traditional private pesticide applicator training.

For those attending either in Randolph or Neligh, in addition to the CCC program, there will be an opportunity to attend a workshop to learn how to better utilize manure nutrients to "$ave Money and Resist Stress". This workshop will discuss how much manure to use as well as ways that manure can build your soil to help resist drought and excessive precipitation. The manure workshop will cost $25 and includes a meal. In Randolph, the manure workshop will follow the CCC program, and in Neligh, the morning will start with the manure program and be followed by CCC. Due to the meal, pre-registration is required for the manure workshop.

Pre-registration for all programs is available online.

For more information, contact your local Nebraska Extension office.

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Manure for Crop Producers Workshops Offered December 10 and 12

The annual Confronting Cropping Challenges programs are being held at Ithaca, Leigh, Randolph and Neligh during the first two weeks of December. These programs are highly-interactive and allow farmers to reflect on this year’s experiences and focus on solutions for future years – and as an added bonus, they can get their private pesticide license recertification.

The manure team will be holding a manure workshop in conjunction with the Confronting Cropping Challenges programs at two of the locations. The workshop will help row-crop farmers Save Money and Resist Stress and is designed for crop producers using manure on their cropland. You do not need to own your own livestock to attend. Participants can choose to attend either the Confronting Cropping Challenges program, the manure workshop, or both.

During the manure workshop, we’ll discover how to use manure to reduce the need for commercial fertilizer not only in the first growing season, but potentially for years to come. We’ll also talk about where commercial fertilizer can complement manure to get the best bang for your buck and help build your soil to reduce crop stresses during droughts and periods of excessive rainfall. To do all this, we’ll calculate the available nutrients in manure, learn how much manure to use on a field, discover how manure might make your farm more profitable and resilient in addition to enjoying a meal together!

The Confronting Cropping Challenges programs will run from 1-4 pm at each location, with Ithaca on December 3, Leigh on December 4, Randolph on December 10 and Neligh on December 12. The manure workshops will only be available in Randolph and Neligh and will include a meal. In Randolph, the workshop will follow Confronting Cropping Challenges and run until around 8 pm. In Neligh, the manure workshop will begin at 9 am and will end just prior to Confronting Cropping Challenges.

 Pre-registration for all programs is available online now and is requested by November 27 to include you in the meal count!

 This workshop utilizes an immersive curriculum that is highly tailored to those in attendance making it very effective and able to be applied to your operation later. We hope to see you at either Randolph or Neligh in December.

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Nebraska Extension succession planning series for women in agriculture kicks off  in January

Lincoln, Nebraska, November 15, 2024 — A multi-state extension workshop series for women in agriculture will offer strategies to evaluate and improve farm estate and transition plans.

"Leaving a Lasting Legacy for Midwestern Farm Women: A Succession Planning Series," will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Central time on Jan. 21, Jan. 28, Feb. 4 and Feb. 11 at sites across Kansas, Nebraska and Indiana. The series is being produced through a collaborative effort by extension programs at Kansas State University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Purdue University.

Topics covered will include motivation for succession planning, communicating with family, the financial aspects of estate and transition plans, and the legal aspects of putting a plan in place. A keynote speaker will be simulcast to every workshop location during each meeting, with time for questions and a hands-on activity for participants. A meal will be provided on each date.

"Planning for what happens to your things when you're gone can be daunting, but it's so important, especially in agriculture, so that the transition to the next generation goes smoothly," said Jessica Groskopf, director of the Nebraska Women in Agriculture program. "This series will help women learn best practices and new strategies to help the transition and estate planning processes so they can take that back to their farm or ranch and help lead the way in creating or reevaluating their plans."

Groskopf said the program's structure is intended to strengthen networks of women in rural areas, which can provide opportunities for building trust and sharing information. "Connections are so important to rural women," she said. "We have seen the benefits that come from knowing your peers, having a place to share difficulties, and mitigate the isolation that so many of us in agriculture often feel."

The registration fee for in-person attendance is $60 before Jan. 13 and increases to $75 on or after Jan. 13. A virtual option is available for $75. Participants are encouraged to attend all four sessions. More information and registration is available on the Nebraska Women in Agriculture website, https://wia.unl.edu/succession25.

This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number2023-70027-40444.

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ATTENTION: Agriculture, Calendar Editors
CONTACT: Jessica Groskopf, Director, Nebraska Women in Agriculture Program, 308-632-1247, wia@unl.edu

Alfredo DiCostanzo
Livestock Systems Extension Educator
University of Nebraska

Week of December 2, 2024

The value of cattle health maintenance

Sometime in early 2022, it was clear that economic conditions were setting up for high cattle prices. Cow inventory demonstrated a significant decline. Drought in 2022 and 2023 complicated this situation: extensive cow culling was needed to bring inventories to par with feed and forage supply. In 2024, there was some drought recovery early in the year; but as fall approached drought threatened one more time.

As we close the year, forage supplies were generally sufficient to carry herds and grow cattle on grass into the start of winter. What weather holds for the winter of 2024-2025 is not well defined but most meteorologists propose it will be cold and dry.

These conditions spell extension to the run on high cattle prices begun in late 2021. Closure of the border to importation of Mexican cattle resulting from the discovery, in Mexico, of screwworm flies and injuries, will permit domestic feeder cattle prices to remain high and, perhaps, reach new highs.

Some indicators point to intention to hold replacement heifers back to rebuild the herd. This is good news in the long term, but keeping heifers for replacement will eventually contribute to reducing feeder calf supply further increasing the value of growing cattle. As intentions to rebuild the herd become definitive, the value of replacement cattle and brood cow will increase also.

Brood cows or feeder calves that were worth no more than $1,500 per cow or $155/cwt, respectively, in late 2021. Recently, brood cows are selling for more than $2,000 per cow and feeder calves are bringing over $325/cwt. These are increases of 47% and 210%, respectively.

On a per-head basis, brood cows are worth $500 or more today and feeder calves are worth nearly $1,000 more. In other words, the value of cattle inventories on farms, feedlots and ranches is dramatically up from what it was in 2021. This is good news as long as cattle remain healthy and do not succumb to disease or conditions brought on by weather events (heat or cold stress).

Perhaps, focusing on the value of this inventory provides an incentive to revisit disease prevention practices to ensure cattle are performing at the levels we intend for them to perform, and that morbidity and mortality is kept at a minimum. Keeping in mind that cattle are valued more today than they were in late 2021 should be an incentive to maintain them healthy and productive.

Before deciding to spend more money on keeping cattle healthy and productive, it is a good idea to take time to review facilities and facilities management and disease-prevention practices and their implementation with a veterinarian or cattle consultant to focus or re-focus management practices. High cattle prices should motivate cattlemen to evaluate current or alternative feeding and management practices and to consider making investments in areas that support nutrition, health and cattle comfort.

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Week of Novmeber 18, 2024

Managing yards for cattle comfort in winter

We are approaching late November and dry fall weather, so far, has permitted late season clean up. Yet, we have had two or three rounds of precipitation recently. Although much needed, to restore soil moisture, even less than 0.5 inches of precipitation created some challenges for cattle in the yards, and the humans (and horses) taking care of them.

Looking at temperatures and precipitation for winter of 2024—2025, the US Drought Monitor calls for equal chances that each temperature and precipitation will be above or below normal (not much help here if you ask me!).

Although there is no set recipe for managing yards for cattle comfort, particularly when precipitation has been inconsistent after a long dry spell, the following is a list of scenarios and suggested approaches for managing pen surfaces.

Precipitation (as snow or rain) with intermittent dry spells. Other than a dry winter, this may be the next easiest scenario to manage; the operator has two choices: 1) proactively bed if they expect that a cold spell will follow or that the 10-day forecast calls for additional precipitation or 2) do nothing.

Generally, manure is permitted to accumulate during dry spells; yet, during precipitation events, dry manure in high traffic areas will rapidly absorb moisture. This will lead to rapid accumulation of mud on concrete surfaces (feed and water trough aprons and cattle alleys) resulting in difficult situations for cattle, horses, humans, and machinery to get around the pen. Therefore, some operators and many cattle feedlot consultants recommend removal of dry manure shortly before precipitation is expected. This action needs not be confined to concrete surfaces. The base of yard mounds or other sloping areas of the pen may also be scraped to remove dry manure.

What might one do with manure that is scraped? Although there is a temptation to haul it away and apply before the precipitation event, some might consider keeping and piling manure as 2- to 4-foot-high mounds (32 square feet per head is ideal) onto loafing areas (concrete or dirt; away from feed and water troughs). These mounds will serve as high and "dry" areas for cattle to get away from rapidly forming mud and away from traffic patterns in the pen.

Once prepared, these manure mounds can also serve as the base where dry bedding is applied when the precipitation event is expected to last several days or to be followed by temperatures dropping below freezing for several days.

Precipitation (as snow or rain) followed by extended cold or additional precipitation periods. This scenario is expected to occur during December or the following January, as was the case in 2024. Most normal winters in higher latitudes are defined by one or two heavy precipitation events followed by extreme cold temperatures. Thawing from cold temperatures is generally not expected until January, briefly, followed by continued cold temperatures and precipitation in February and March.

These are the conditions that set up cattle (and cattle feeders) for performance below expectations and worse than break even closeouts.

When facilities managers refer to the need to bed cattle on dirt or concrete, they generally refer to these conditions. This is when investing in bedding and managing bed packs make sense.

How much bedding might be needed to establish the base of a pack?

The initial need to bed a given area surprises most operators. This is because a base must rise at least one foot above the existing surface (bare concrete or manure mound). This requires a minimum of 10 to 14 lb. per head for the initial application. This is equivalent to two large round corn stalk bales for a 250-head pen.

Should the bedding be processed? For most applications where high traffic will occur (pens stocked heavier, concrete-surfaced pens, cattle nearing finishing weights, and, most importantly, unsurfaced pens), the answer is no. This is because processed bedding will incorporate itself into the existing surface by hoof action.

Two key elements of building bed packs, even outdoors, are to continue to keep the areas around the pack free of mud accumulation (it prevents cattle from tracking it onto the pack) and to continue to add bedding to keep it dry.

Scraping around bed packs prevents manure from freezing onto large balls that prevent cattle access to the pack or to water and feed troughs. Adding additional bedding after scraping can be done with a bale processor or grinder if the base pack is built sufficiently or in pens where there is ample space or lightweight cattle. As a reference (for bedding inventory) prorated over a long period, one might expect to use 4 lb of bedding daily per head.

How often are operators expected to scrape and/or bed? During most winters when cold spells set in, scraping should occur at least once weekly. Bedding generally should take place the same day after scraping. If scraping stops during subzero temperatures, it cannot be resumed until at least 4 to 7 days of temperatures above freezing. This can create difficult conditions for cattle to get around. When scraping frozen chunks of manure, these can be placed on the bed pack before adding dry bedding.

Managing cattle in the yards for comfort, like offering them feed daily, is more of an art than science.

Week of November 4, 2024

Cattle prices: are we approaching the peak?

Two years ago, when cattle prices began an upward trend, I looked closely at the shape of the cattle price peaks that occurred during the last cycle highs. Peak year (or years) were flanked each by an upward (before the peak) and downward (after the peak) trend.

Before reaching the actual peak, these upward trends could have been mistaken by the actual peak. As time progressed, and USDA data collection permitted, these highs were indications of peaks to come in 2014 and 2015. Starting in 2012, for feeder cattle prices, and 2013, for fed cattle prices, prices surged to new highs in each year following.

In contrast, a sharp drop in feeder and fed cattle prices occurred between 2015 and 2016. Prices for the years after 2016 followed post-peak lows resulting from larger cattle inventory.

I describe these price surges leading to or away from the peak as the shoulders of cattle price peaks. The questions are: 1) Are we still riding the shoulders of the price peak? If so, 2) For how long?

Some might venture to ask an additional question such as how high will it be?

Let's address the first question.

Feeder cattle prices began the current price increase in 2022. It is now 2024, and they remain higher than in 2022 and 2023. Similarly, fed cattle prices, although at times trading laterally, are higher than in 2022 and 2023.

During the period between January to September of 2024, 39.8% of fed cattle harvested were heifers. This figure is unchanged from the same period in 2023. Incidentally, fed cattle harvest kept up pace with 2023 as well.

The reality is that there are no signs indicating heifer retention has begun. Because over 70% of U.S. herds calve in the spring, retention of heifers weaned in the fall would indicate intentions to expand the herd. Unless a large proportion of spring-born heifers is retained this fall, it is safe to say that heifer retention is now on hold until fall of 2025.

Therefore, I believe cattle prices are still riding the left shoulder of the price peak. This leads me to believe that we will expect another full year of high- or high-trending feeder cattle prices.

Fed cattle prices respond to other signals: sustained consumer demand, even as retail beef price increases, and feed price, namely corn grain, amongst others. So far, demand for beef is not slowing down and corn grain is expected to remain in the low $4's per bushel.

A third factor: beef supply could affect fed cattle prices.

Beef supply? From where? You might ask.

In 2015, imported lean trimmings, to mix with fat from homegrown fed beef, led to a swift decline in fed cattle prices. This strategy is out of the hands of the beef cattle producer, but it remains a real option; one to watch by following imports of lean trimmings.

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Hannah Guenther

Week of November 25, 2024

Potato, Potahto

Potato, Potahto. No matter what you call them, potatoes are a great nutritious vegetable that is many times overlooked or removed from the diet. Whenever I say that potatoes are a part of a healthy eating pattern, I am almost always get a “really?!” in response. French fries and chips aren’t the only way to enjoy this humble ingredient. Potatoes are not only affordable, but are incredibly versatile in rounding out your main dish or becoming center stage of your next meal. So today, we are going to talk all about how to buy and store potatoes, nutritional value of potatoes, and finally some fun, nutritious ways to enjoy potatoes.

When purchasing potatoes, you have options! Between russet, Yukon Gold, Red Skinned, or sweet, it’s hard to know where to begin! Russet potatoes have a neutral flavor and are great for baking or mashed potatoes. Yukon Gold and Red Skinned are usually smaller in size and sweeter in flavor. They are great boiled, mashed, or my favorite, roasted. Finally we have the sweet potato which is the most unique in flavor and color. Just like their name, sweet potatoes are sweet and more fibrous in texture. They are great roasted, baked, or mashed. Once you have decided what kind of purchase, look for firm, clean potatoes while trying to avoid discoloration, bruising or greening. Once you bring your potatoes home, you want to store them in a cool, dark place with adequate ventilation. When you are ready to eat, scrub potatoes under water and remove all dirt. Cut off any sprouts or greening you see.

But why are my potatoes turning green? This is a natural process by the potato when exposed to too much natural or fluorescent light. If it is only a little green, you can cut it off to remove. If the potato is completely green, it needs to be discarded. The greening potatoes contain a toxin that can make you sick.

So let’s start cooking, but before that let’s discuss the nutritional value of potatoes. In 1 medium potato, you will find 110 calories, 0 grams of fat, 26 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein along with 30% of your daily vitamin C and 15% of you daily potassium needs.  They are a starchy root vegetable that can provide your body with carbohydrates needed to fuel daily life and physical activity. Now, what about sweet potatoes? Sweet potatoes have nearly the same calories, carbohydrates, and protein as a regular potato, but they are higher in fiber, vitamin A, and Vitamin C. As you can see, potatoes by themselves are pretty healthy! But loading them up with butter, sour cream, and brown sugar is going to contest the nutritional value. Let’s discuss some healthy and delicious ways to enjoy potatoes.

Whether they are potatoes or potahtoes, they are a part of a healthy eating pattern and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways!

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Week of November 11, 2024

Nebraska Extension Joins #NC2 the Nebraska Cancer Coalition's Breathe Easy Get Screened Lung Cancer Campaign

Key Takeaway: Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in Nebraska. If you are between the age of 5-18, are a current smoker or quit in the past 15 years, have a history of smoking for 20+ years, have smoked 1 pack a day for 20 years or 2 packs per day for 10 years – you should get screened for lung cancer.

In 2024, the American Cancer Society estimates 1,190 new cases and 700 deaths from lung cancer in Nebraska. The stage of diagnosis strongly affects outcomes. The most recent Nebraska data indicates that the 5-year relative survival rates for lung cancer are 63% for early-stage diagnoses, while rates for later-stage cases fall to 35% for regional diagnoses and 3% for distant diagnoses. The American Lung Association reported that in 2023, only 3.7% of Nebraskans at high risk for lung cancer were screened.

"Lung cancer screening is critical, as symptoms often only become prevalent in later stages of the disease when it's much more difficult to Breathe Easy and battle the disease. It's important for Nebraskans with a history of smoking to talk to their health care provider about screening as soon as possible," said NC2 President Dr. Alan Thorson.

"Speaking with your primary care provider about cancer screening is something we encourage all Nebraskans to do. Take ownership of your heath and don't be afraid to advocate for yourself," stated Dr. Mike Romano, MD. "Physicians and healthcare providers appreciate patients who do so."

Screening for lung cancer with a yearly low-dose CT scan for those at high risk can reduce the lung cancer death rate by up to 20% by detecting tumors at early stages when they are more likely to be curable according to the American Lung Association (ALA). Lung cancer screening is recommended by the CDC for people ages 50-80 years with a 20+ pack-year smoking history who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. It is critical that we spread the word that in order to Breathe Easy, Nebraskans should get screened for lung cancer.

For more information go to necancer.org/lungcancer.

The Nebraska Cancer Coalition (NC2) is a nonprofit organization that serves all ninety-three counties in Nebraska. NC2's membership and partners include health systems, providers, associations, cancer survivors and individuals. Together we aspire to achieve our mission of connecting people and resources to strengthen cancer prevention, detection, and quality of life in Nebraska. NC2 works towards implementing the goals and objectives of our strategic plan. Our vision is to ultimately conquer Cancer Together.

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Week of October 28 2024

Stay Healthy this Halloween

I feel that it is necessary to start this article by saying that I am not a Halloween person. I do love a chance to get into character, but as a whole Halloween is just not my holiday. That being said, I'm trying. I watched Hocus Pocus for the first ever and even made a batch of pumpkin bread. So in honor of spooky season, I am going to share with you some fun and creative ways to stay healthy this holiday so we can all have a healthy Halloween!

Poison Apples

No, I'm not saying handout poison apples but I do think apples are a great treat without any tricks. Buy a large sack of apples and make a sign advertising poison apples (sans poison) for the trick or treaters. Put each apple in a Ziploc bag to stay safe and encourage trick or treaters to wash all fresh fruit prior to eating. I know that you might be thinking that they will be avoided, but you may be surprised how many kids will appreciate the crunch of fresh fruit after munching on candy all night.

Ghostly String Cheese

For a personalized protein snack, dress up string cheese with a sharpie! Simply draw two eyes and an open mouth to turn your string cheese into little ghosts. They are individually wrapped and will help balance out that sugar rush.

Jack 'O' Clementines

Keep that sharpie out for one more trick. Buy a bag of cutie clementines from the grocery store and turn them into mini pumpkin by drawing jack-o'-lantern design on the fruit. Since the peel protects the fruit, you oranges will still be safe to eat!

Candy Corn Parfait

I'm an absolute sucker for candy corn and it is the inspiration of this snack that would be perfect for a seasonal snack this Halloween. In small clear cups layer cut pineapple, mandarin oranges, and top with vanilla yogurt. It looks like candy corn, tastes sweet, but is healthy and full of vitamins.

Mummy Pizza

This final snack is a great way to get in the holiday spirit and get kids in the kitchen. Cut English muffins in half and spoon on a thin layer of pizza sauce. Pull and layer string cheese horizontally across the English muffin. Add two slices of olives for your mummy's eyes and put under the broiler for 30s- 1 minute until the cheese has melted. It's a yummy mummy!

Sharing germs is SCARY! Stay safe this Halloween by regularly washing your hands after touching objects or people. Try one or all of these recipes or suggestions for a healthier Halloween!

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