Nebraska Extension Educator - Holt/Boyd Counties - LaDonna Werth
Nebraska Extension Educator - Holt/Boyd Counties - Amy Timmerman
Nebraska Extension Educator - Brown/Rock/Keya Paha Counties - Brittany Spieker
Nebraska Extension Educator - Holt/Boyd/Garfield/Loup/Wheeler Counties - Bethany Johnston
Nebraska 4-H Assistant - Holt/Boyd Counties - Debra Walnofer
February 3: Face-to-Face Private Pesticide Training/Beef Update, 9:30am, Holt County Courthouse Annex, O’Neill, NE, pested.unl.edu
February 3: DUE by Noon: 2025 4-H Special Garden Project Seed Order, https://go.unl.edu/holtboydspecialgardenseeds
February 3: DUE by Noon: 2025 4-H Special Agronomy Project Seed Order, https://go.unl.edu/2025holtboydspecialagronomy
February 10: Face-to-Face YQCA Training, 7:00pm, Holt County Courthouse Annex, O’Neill, NE https://yqcaprogram.org/
February 12: Commercial and Noncommercial Recertification Applicator Training, Holt County Courthouse Annex, O’Neill, NE, pested.unl.edu
February 28: Chemigation Training, 9:300am, Holt County Courthouse Annex, O’Neill, NE, pested.unl.edu
March 3: Face-to-Face Private Pesticide Training, 1:30pm, Boyd County Courthouse, Butte, NE, pested.unl.edu
March 5: Commercial and Noncommercial Recertification Applicator Training, Holt County Courthouse Annex, O’Neill, NE, pested.unl.edu
March 6: Face-to-Face Private Pesticide Training, 9:30am, Holt County Courthouse Annex, O’Neill, NE, pested.unl.edu
March 6: Chemigation Training, 9:30am, Antelope County Courthouse Basement Meeting Room, Neligh, NE, pested.unl.edu
March 7-8: Returning to the Farm Workshop Series, Central Community College, Hastings, NE, https://cap.unl.edu/rtf25/
Helping Children Feel Good About Themselves
All of us, including children, see ourselves in a certain way. We have a mental picture of ourselves. For children, this picture includes who they are, what they can do and how they think others see them. It may be good or bad or some of each. For example, a child may feel that he or she does well in school, not so well at sports, or is good at getting along with friends.
How children feel about themselves is important for a healthy, productive life. Children who feel good about themselves usually get better grades in school. They seem better at taking on hard jobs, they try their best and they usually succeed. Also, children who have a positive picture of themselves tend to make better friends because they seem more sure of themselves.
Children’s feelings about themselves are very important to their future. And parents can play an important role in helping children develop and maintain these positive feelings.
Feeling Alone
Children in single-parent families often think nobody else’s family is like theirs. They feel that they are different. As a parent, it is important to remind them that there are many single-parent families. Tell them about friends and others whose families are headed by a single parent. This may not work the first time, but it will help to remind children that they are not “the only ones.”
Children in single-parent families, especially as a result of divorce, may also wonder if their parents still care for them and love them. Children need lots of words of love and hugs that say “I care.” Remind children that friends, grandparents, relatives, teachers and others all care about them.
LaDonna Werth
Extension Educator
Phone: 402-336-2760
E-mail: LWerth2@unl.edu
Children may even blame themselves for a death in the family or a divorce. They may think that it wouldn’t have happened if they had just behaved better. Children need to be comforted and told that they are not to blame for death or divorce.
Building Self-Esteem
In order to see themselves in a positive way, children must be able to see their strong points. Self-praise is basic to positive self-esteem. Children don’t praise themselves without help - it won’t happen automatically. Parents can help children think in positive terms by helping them see their strong points and talents. For example, at dinner or at the end of the day, ask your child, “What did you accomplish today?” If you know about a success, you could say, “How do you feel about what you’ve done today?” or “I bet you feel good about what you did!”
Teaching children to praise themselves does not mean that you are teaching the child to brag. Bragging puts other people down: “I’m the fastest kid in my class.” “I’m better at math than anybody else.” Self-praise compares the past to the present (then and now). For example, “I can run a lot faster this year than last year,” or “I’ve really gotten better in math.”
Realistic Goals
A child’s self-esteem is helped by success and harmed by failure. Help your children set goals that they can really reach. Help them feel successful. Children need goals that fit and work into their lives. Help your child meet a goal by taking small steps. Only one child can be the fastest runner in the class. But every child can run around the block one minute faster than before, and most children can work toward that goal a little bit at a time. Five seconds faster next week, five seconds faster the next week and so on.
Children also need to know how to deal with failure. Sometimes even the best children will not be able to meet some goals. Help your children learn something about themselves even when they fail. The only total failure is when they don’t learn anything from failure. When children don’t do well at school, they can learn to study more for tests or they may try some new study skills. When children do not succeed, help them look at what they did and find ways to do things differently next time. Remember to praise them for trying.
Being perfect is never the goal. And trying to be perfect all the time is a sure way to fail. Just help children try to do better.
Feeling “Down”
Like all of us, children have those days when they don’t feel good about themselves. Nothing has gone right at school or a best friend said something mean. Let your children know that you care about how they are feeling. Try to spend time alone with each child every day. It could be when you’re in the car and the child is in the front seat with you. Or as you put each child to bed. Many parents find it important to have a little time alone with each child.
Coping With Tough Times
Children also have those days when they feel frustrated. They tried to do something good and it didn’t work. Children must learn how to handle these times so that they don’t dislike themselves and let themselves become the enemy. When your children are feeling down, see if they would like to do something special for themselves. Remind them to treat themselves with kindness and love. People will treat you better if you treat yourself well.
You may know of other ways to remind children that they are worth caring about. Sometimes it helps them to be with other friends or family members that they like. Or perhaps they can think of something to do for someone else. Many times it helps to think about the needs of others and to help another person. It reminds us that we are important and have much to offer, even on a bad day.
Discussion Questions
The following questions can be used to talk about children’s feelings about themselves.
- Do you ever feel like you’re the only kid who lives with only one parent or whose parents live apart? When do you feel like that? What can we do to make you feel less alone?
- It’s important to know what you’re good at and to remind yourself about these good qualities. What do you think you’re good at? Do you ever remind yourself?
- Have you ever failed at something and then felt like you weren’t good at anything? What did you do?
- Some kids feel better when they play with their friends, even if they are feeling down or bad. What can you do when you’re not feeling good?
Activity
On a big sheet of paper, have your children draw pictures of themselves. On the pictures, they should draw all the things that they are good at - sports, school work, chores, getting along with others and so on. Hang the picture in your child’s room or on the refrigerator.
Source: Robert Hughes, Jr., Ph.D., former Professor, Department of Human Development & Family Studies, College of Human Environmental Sciences, University of Missouri
Pasture and Forage Minute: Winter Hay Nutrition and Tax Preparation
Winter Hay Worries
Grass tetany and nitrate poisoning are issues that we typically associate with animals grazing. However, both issues can be a problem in winter when animal diets are limited by what they are fed. Is your herd safe from possible hay worries?
Tetany occurs when an animal’s diet doesn’t have enough magnesium to meet nutritional needs. Complications with milk production and increased magnesium demand can make this imbalance even worse during lactation.
Grass, alfalfa and cereal grains harvested for hay can all be low in magnesium. Getting a hay test with mineral analysis can easily show if this is an issue we need to worry about. If tests come back showing less than 0.15% magnesium, the hay is deficient. Other mineral interactions that can worsen tetany are low calcium (<0.40%) and high in potassium (>2.5%).
If your test comes back with issues, consider switching over to a high calcium and magnesium mineral. Most options use magnesium oxide, which is bitter tasting and can reduce animal consumption. Consider mixing with a protein or energy supplement or mixing with distillers grain or soybean meal to improve consumption if it’s not at target levels (for a 10-13% magnesium mix, this is 4 oz. per head).
Another concern to keep an eye on is nitrates. Forages high in nitrate that were harvested for hay will not see a significant reduction in nitrate levels after curing. Any hay that we suspect being high in nitrate should be tested and, if high, fed as a reduced portion of the diet to prevent an issue with toxicity.
Amy Timmerman
Extension Educator
Phone: 402-336-2760
E-mail: atimmerman2@unl.edu
Tetany and nitrates in the winter aren’t problems that often jump right to a producer’s mind, but they can be a serious issue, especially when an animal’s diet is limited to what they are fed. Properly testing hay and adjusting mineral and diets to minimize risk can keep your winter hay worries at bay.
1099 Tax Forms for Ag Producers
Farmers and ranchers regularly pay for services from individuals who are not their fulltime employees. Typical compensation includes wages or other payments to self-employed workers and contractors, and rent paid to landowners. Under IRS regulations, a 1099 form should be issued to certain non-employees who perform services and are paid over $600 in a calendar year.
Reporting this information to the IRS helps ensure the receiver pays appropriate taxes on the income. This requirement can be broken down into three elements: (1) $600 or more paid during the calendar year; (2) to someone who is an individual, LLC, partnership, or trust; and (3) for services. These forms are sent early in the calendar year, so recipients have adequate time for tax preparation.
Source: Ben Beckman - Extension Educator, Shannon Sand - Agricultural Economics Extension Educator (CropWatch – January 28, 2025)
Can Pine Needles Cause Abortions in Cows?
Can pine needles cause abortions in cows? The short answer is “yes.”
Pine needle abortion can cause significant losses for producers, but simple strategies can reduce the risk. Check and repair fences around ponderosa pine trees to prevent losses in your herd, especially during the second and third trimesters. By excluding pregnant cows, you can avoid devastating losses.
Here are two real-life examples of producers who experienced premature calf losses.
Example 1: The Prairie Blizzard. The four lone pine trees were all that remained from the pioneers who tried to settle on the prairie. During a recent blizzard that dropped over a foot of snow, it took several days for ranchers to reach their pregnant cows with hay. With drifts underfoot, the cows were tall enough to reach up and eat the pine needles out of the trees during the blizzard. A week later, half the cows prematurely lost their calves.
Example 2: The Old Farmstead. A neighbor purchased an old farmstead, which included a pasture where a shelterbelt of trees surrounded the buildings- pine and cottonwood trees. The buildings and wire fence that kept the cows out of the old shelterbelt had fallen down in disrepair, so the neighbor pulled the fence. His bred heifers ran there that winter, and more out of curiosity, nibbled on the pine needles. Several heifers aborted that winter.
Bethany Johnston
Extension Educator
Phone: 402-336-2760
E-mail: bjohnston3@unl.edu
Both producers lost calves to pine needle abortions, as the cows and heifers “slinked” or calved too early, and the fetuses died.
Why do pine needles cause abortions in cows?
Since the 1920’s, cattlemen wondered if ponderosa pine needles were causing abortions in their herds. In the 1980’s to 1990’s, researchers were able to determine that ponderosa pine needles did indeed cause abortions in pregnant beef cows.
Compounds in the Pinus ponderosa (or ponderosa pine tree) needles interferes with blood flow to the uterus and fetus, leading to premature births or fetal death.
Both green or dried needles from ponderosa pine trees, if ingested by pregnant cows, can be harmful. Cows would need to eat 3-5 pounds of needles for several days to trigger an abortion. The later the trimester, the more susceptible cows are to “pine needle abortions.” The third trimester, especially the last 30-60 days, can cause more abortions than early in the pregnancy. Low temperatures also seemed to increase pine needle consumption.
What animals are not affected by eating pine needles?
Cows that are not pregnant, steers, and bulls are not affected if needles are ingested, as well as pregnant elk, sheep, or goats.
How to prevent pine needle abortions
What are solutions to avoid pine needle abortion? The simplest solution is to fence out ponderosa pine trees so that cattle cannot reach the needles to ingest them.
Another strategy is to adjust the calving season, so cows are calving in the summer or late fall, when they are less likely to eat pine needles in their second or third trimester.
Source: Bethany Johnston, Nebraska Extension Educator (BeefWatch – January 29, 2025)
Food Safety Tips for a Winning Super Bowl Sunday
Super Bowl Sunday isn’t just about football—it’s also about the food and the commercials! Whether you’re hosting the ultimate party or bringing a dish to share, the last thing you want is for food poisoning to fumble your fun.
So, while you're cheering for your team and enjoying those delicious snacks, here are some key food safety tips to ensure your Super Bowl spread stays safe, fresh, and worry-free.
1. Keep Hot Foods Hot, Cold Foods Cold
One of the most important rules of food safety is keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Hot foods—like chili soup, wings, or meatballs—should be kept at or above 140°F to prevent bacteria from multiplying. A slow cooker is a great way to keep these foods at the right temperature for hours of snacking.
Cold foods—such as dips, salads, or cheese platters - need to be kept below 40°F. To do this, you can place your cold foods on a bed of ice or use a cooler to keep them chilled. Remember, foods that sit in the temperature danger zone - between 40°F and 140°F - are prime targets for bacterial growth. And nobody wants a foodborne penalty on game day!
Pro Tip: Invest in a food thermometer. It’s a simple tool that will help ensure your hot foods are cooked to a safe temperature.
Brittany Spieker
FNH Extension Educator
Phone: 402-387-2213
E-mail: bspieker2@unl.edu
2. Follow the Two-Hour Rule
The two-hour rule is a must-know for game day. Perishable foods - anything that needs refrigeration - should not be left out for more than two hours. After that, it’s time to get those foods off the table and into the fridge.
Don’t risk it - when in doubt, throw it out! If food has been sitting out too long, it’s best to say goodbye to avoid getting sick later on.
3. Avoid Cross-Contamination
Cross-contamination is one of the easiest ways bacteria can sneak into your food. It happens when raw meats - like poultry or seafood, for example - come into contact with ready-to-eat items like vegetables or dips. To prevent this, keep raw meats separate from fresh produce and cooked foods, and use different cutting boards, utensils, and plates for each.
And remember, always wash your hands thoroughly before working with food and after handling raw meat to stop bacteria from spreading.
Pro Tip: If you’re serving fresh fruits and vegetables, be sure to rinse them thoroughly before serving. They may appear clean, but they can still carry bacteria or other contaminants that could affect the safety of your spread.
4. Leftovers—Store and Reheat Safely
After the game, there’s nothing better than enjoying your leftovers. But be sure to store them safely. You have two hours to get foods into the fridge, and don’t just toss everything into one big container. Dividing leftovers into smaller, shallow containers helps them cool down faster and keeps them safer.
When you’re ready to enjoy those leftovers, reheat them to at least 165°F. A quick check with a thermometer will make sure they’re heated safely and ready for round two of the game-day fun.
Final Thoughts
With these easy food safety tips, you can enjoy all your favorite Super Bowl foods without worrying about a fumble in the kitchen. Keep hot foods hot, cold foods cold, avoid cross-contamination, and follow the two-hour rule. Store your leftovers properly and always have a thermometer on hand. It’s that simple!
News Release
How to Transition Your Farm or Ranch to the Next Generation
What happens if your family’s ranching or farming operation is unable to transfer to the next generation? Now is the time to start (or finish) your transition! On February 26 & 27 workshops will be held at Broken Bow and Burwell to help families navigate the common landmines including legal, financial, and communication issues.
The aim of the program is to provide reliable information to assist families to put together succession plans, or review their existing plans. Experienced experts will cover issues around agriculture law, management, finance, and communication.
Anxiety and the “what ifs” can immobilize transition. Farmers and ranchers will understand the consequences of the “what ifs” and how to avoid them. Some examples include: What if I don’t have a written lease; what happens if there is no will; what if the on-farm heir(s) needs to buy out siblings; what if the older generation need long term care; what if I must pay taxes?
Joe Hawbaker, estate planning attorney, will also cover tools for long term viability of the ranch. There are a variety of tools, such as business entities, options, lease rights, preemptive rights and buy-sell agreements, that could help your transition go smoothly.
Transition of the land is important, but farmers and ranchers should work to transition the business as well. Dave Goeller, financial planner and retired Nebraska Extension transition specialist, will cover succession versus equality, and compensation versus contribution. Many families struggle to split assets fairly between on-farm and off-farm heirs, while continuing the farm/ranch as a business. Goeller will discuss the “family” side and what to consider when dividing assets.
Following the workshops at Broken Bow and Burwell, participants can discuss their individual operations at one-on-one confidential consultations with Hawbaker and Goeller through Nebraska’s Rural Response Hotline’s free monthly clinics.
Below are workshop dates and locations.
Feb 26: Broken Bow, 4-H Building at Fairgrounds, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. CT;
Feb 27: Burwell, Legion Hall, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. CT.
Sign up today! This program walks you through the confusing process of estate planning free of charge. Registration is appreciated for a meal count one week prior, but walk-ins are welcome! Register by calling the Rural Response Hotline at 1-800-464-0258 or call the local Extension Office (Broken Bow 308-872-6831 or Burwell 308-346-4200).
Workshops are hosted by Legal Aid of Nebraska and Nebraska Extension. Thanks to Pathway Bank, Heartland Bank, and Farm Credit Services of America for their sponsorship.
News Release
Ready, Set, Spread: Manure Application Workshops Near You
Turning manure nutrients into better crop yields while protecting the environment will be the focus of ten Nebraska Extension workshops being held across the state this February and March, including a location at Chambers Community Center, Chambers, NE on March 13 from 9am – 4pm CT.
“Our workshops have traditionally been focused on livestock producers because they’re required to attend manure training regularly, but we’ve made an effort to include the crop farmers that are often the recipients of the manure because the information we share is just as valuable to them and their bottom line,” said Leslie Johnson, Nebraska Extension’s Animal Manure Management Extension Educator. “The workshops will still meet the educational requirements for permitted livestock operations laid out by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy’s title 130.”
Participants who attend the day-long event will receive NDEE Land Application Training Certification. The land application training certification requires participation in the full day program, which includes lunch. Sessions will include an update on regulations and discussions on how to best use manure on cropland. Anyone is welcome regardless of the need for certification. Crop farmers and smaller livestock operations will also learn useful information to apply to their operations.
Sessions will focus on what fields should be chosen to best utilize manure nutrients and other benefits. Each session will be highly participant led with limited seating. Participants will be given a scenario and asked at the end of each activity to determine whether the field will benefit from manure application or whether there are considerations that make the field less desirable for manure application. Based on the activities, participants will then rank each field within the scenario to determine a priority ranking for the entire scenario. Activity topics will include manure nutrient value, transportation cost, soil health, water quality, as well as neighbors and odors. Regulations and record keeping pertaining to manure storage and application will also be addressed during each session.
Sessions include:
- Geneva – February 6
- Gothenburg – February 18
- Norfolk – February 26
- West Point – March 4
- Wisner (Spanish) – March 6
- Columbus – March 12
- Chambers – March 13
- Scottsbluff – March 18
- Scottsbluff (Spanish) – March 19
- Valentine – March 20
Because of participation limits and meals provided in each session, registration is required and is requested by 1 week ahead of each event. If registration numbers exceed expectations, more sessions may be added. To ensure your attendance, register at water.unl.edu/lat. The cost of the sessions will be $75 per operation requiring certification or $25 per person with no expectation of certification.
The workshops are sponsored by Nebraska Extension's Animal Manure Management Team, which is dedicated to helping livestock and crop producers better utilize manure resources for agronomic and environmental bentfits. For additional information on the workshops and other resources for managing manure nutrients, visit manure.unl.edu or contact Leslie Johnson at 402-584-3818 or leslie.johnson@unl.edu.