Nebraska Extension Educator - Holt & Boyd Counties - LaDonna Werth
Nebraska Extension Educator - Holt & Boyd Counties - Amy Timmerman
Nebraska Extension Educator - Holt, Boyd, Garfield, Loup, & Wheeler Counties - Bethany Johnston
Nebraska Extension Educator - Brown, Rock, & Keya Paha Counties - Brittany Spieker
Nebraska 4-H Assistant - Holt & Boyd Counties - Debra Walnofer
Aug 28 – Sep 7: Nebraska State Fair, Grand Island, NE
September 12: 2026 4-H Shooting Sports Shotgun Championships, Heartland Public Shooting Park, Alda, NE
September 19: 2026 State 4-H Outdoor Archery Championships, Heartland Public Shooting Park, Alda, NE
September 20: State 4-H Outdoor 600 Target Tournament, Heartland Public Shooting Park, Alda, NE
October 3: Nebraska Shooting Sports Instructor Update, Imperial, NE
October 3-4: Nebraska Shooting Sports Instructor Certification Workshop, Imperial, NE
Homework: Too Much or Not Enough
The mothers in my office do not look forward to the starting of school because of the busy balance of homework, music lessons, other after-school activities, and sports activities. But as students head back to school it is definitely time to think about homework. Here is the cycle: teachers assign and grade it; parents remind their students about it and maybe assist with homework; teenagers especially complain about it, enjoy it, or forget it, and maybe complete it. Researchers agree that homework is an essential ingredient of a student's school success.
How much time is being spent on homework?
A recent study found that students in middle and junior high school spend about 45 minutes while elementary school students on the average spend about 35 minutes on homework. Another study had another tale to tell, 41% of elementary school students and 37% of middle/junior high students do not do any homework on a typical day. This second study showed that on the average, elementary school students spend 63 minutes on homework, and the middle/junior high students spend 77 minutes per day.
Who does homework?
Seventy-five percent of students whose mothers had a college degree do homework, versus 49%-59% for students whose mothers have less education. Private school students (87%) are more likely to spend some time doing homework than those in public school (58%).
How much is too much-and how much is not enough?
Doing little or no homework in school can have negative long-term effect on children. Recent media attention suggests that many American children are spending too much time completing homework assignments. This may be true for some students in this country. However, cross-cultural comparisons reveal that American children complete much less homework than children in other countries, such as Japan and Tawain.
It is critical to examine homework time in the relationship of students' after-school activities, as well as leisure activities such as watching television. Many children do no homework because their after-school time is consumed by other activities, such as sports teams and music lessons. Homework may act as an additional stressor in the student's busy life as well as their parent. On the other hand, students who do little or no homework may be participating more in passive leisure activities, like watching television. Parental monitoring is the key in determining how homework fits in the balance of family life.
Homework can enhance learning and achievement and develop independent work and study habits. Teachers and parent should try to be sensitive to the multiple demands on the students' time, while at the same time recognizing the potential benefits of homework.
Source: University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension, The Ups & Downs of Adolescence, Homework-Yuck! August 2000. Mary Gosche, Human Development Specialist, Cape Girardeau County and Southeast Region, University of Missouri Extension
Humidity and Temperature Impacts on Corn in 2026
Key Takeaways
- Delayed pollen shed: High humidity, without a drop in humidity during the day, can delay pollination or prevent pollen from leaving anther sacs.
- Reduced pollen viability: Heat over 95°F depresses pollen production. Temperatures above 95°F several days in a row can decrease the volume of pollen shed and the time pollen is viable to fertilize silks.
- Faster maturity: High nighttime temperatures during kernel fill burn sugars to keep the plant cool at night instead of allowing them to be stored in the plant for other plant functions. This can impact kernel fill and also speed maturity, which isn’t ideal for yield.
It’s been another interesting year weather-wise, with a number of concerns about tip-back, lack of pollination and how quickly corn is maturing.
Taking a deeper dive into the weather data for June, July and August is telling. York has had the highest average dew point in the state since June 21, even higher than Falls City, which is typically the most humid place in Nebraska. Figures 1 and 2 shows the daily maximum/minimum humidity charts for 2026 and 2025, respectively. The red lines indicate days when the relative humidity did not drop below 60%. That has happened frequently in the York County area this summer, on par with last year.
During corn pollination, relative humidity typically drops as temperatures rise around mid-morning. This allows the anthers, which hold the pollen, to dry and release pollen between mid-morning and mid-afternoon. However, persistently high humidity can interfere with this process.
Tom Hoegemeyer, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) adjunct professor, wrote a CropWatch article in 2011 that details how high heat and high temperatures impact corn pollination. He explained how persistently high humidity can interfere with pollen shed:
“Corn pollen is produced within the anthers, the pollen-producing structures of the tassel. The plant releases new anthers each morning, starting near the top of the tassel on the first day of pollen shed and proceeding downward over several days. The process of releasing pollen from the anthers is called "dehiscence." Dehiscence is triggered by the drop in humidity as the temperature rises. However, when it is extremely humid and the humidity falls very little, dehiscence may be delayed until late in the day or not occur at all. If there is a breeze while the humidity is still very high, the anthers may fall to the ground before pollen is released. If the temperature rises too high before pollen dehiscence occurs, the pollen may have reduced viability when it is shed.”
A lack of wind can also affect pollen shed by limiting the drying of anther sacs and dispersal of pollen. We don’t normally think about a lack of wind in Nebraska, but Figure 3 shows that wind speeds were abnormally low during July.
There may have been specific windows during this pollination season when little to no pollen was released from anthers, which could have impacted silk fertilization — especially when humidity never dropped below 70% and with a lack of wind. Just a day or two difference in flowering, planting, seedling emergence, or other factors can make a substantial difference in kernel set, both in irrigated and non-irrigated fields. Silk receptivity to pollen also can be reduced as silks elongate, become older and dry out.
In that same 2011 article, Tom also described the impacts of high heat on corn pollination and grain fill:
“When soil moisture is sufficient, one day of 95–98°F has little or no impact on yields. However, after the fourth consecutive day, there tends to be a 1% loss in yield for each day above that temperature. After the fifth or sixth day, there tends to be even greater potential for yield loss. While it is difficult to make yield loss predictions from heat and drought stress in any year, the stress does add up and takes a toll on the crop.”
Another important factor is the synchrony between silk emergence and pollen shed. In most hybrids today, silks emerge with or before pollen shed. Challenges can occur if silks emerge and become too long before pollen shed, or when tight upper leaves wrap around the tassel and restrict pollen shed. Silks can become less receptive to pollen as they age, particularly if they dry out under high temperatures, drought stress, and low relative humidity.
Kernel Fill Impacts
We’ve received several comments about how rapidly corn is progressing toward maturity this year. In many fields, there was minimal time spent in the milk and dough stages. According to “How a Corn Plant Develops,” the milk stage (R3) 18–20 days after silking, followed by the dough stage (R4) around 24–26 days after silking, and the beginning dent stage (R5) around 31–33 days after silking.
Looking at weather data, the end of July and much of August brought nighttime temperatures above 70°F. As a C4 plant, corn maxes out on photosynthesis when temperatures rise above 86°F and burns sugars to cool itself when nighttime temperatures exceed 70°F; corn prefers minimum temperatures around 50°F. Using sugars for cooling diverts them from growth and development, pushing the plant toward maturity more quickly. This also reduces the sugars from photosynthesis that can be stored for other plant functions.
Some producers have asked if the rains in recent weeks would help slow down kernel fill. While the recent rains helped bring the irrigation season to an end and provided needed moisture for non-irrigated crops to finish, warm nighttime temperatures are still the driving factor for faster kernel fill.
The weather is outside of our control, but hopefully this helps explain some of the questions being asked. We’ll hope for cooler nights going forward and a strong finish to the growing season.
Source: Jenny Brhel - Extension Educator, Eric Hunt - Agricultural Meteorology and Climate Resilience Extension Educator, Tom Hoegemeyer - Former Adjunct Professor of Practice (CropWatch – August 28, 2026)
Feed Prices Favor Limit-Feeding Stockers a High Energy Diet
For cattle producers that are set up to feed calves in a bunk, limit feeding a high energy diet may be a cost-effective option for growing calves this fall and winter. While limit feeding is not a new concept, current forage prices relative to grain/co-products may make it an attractive alternative to feeding high roughage growing diets. For instance, hay priced at $200/ton with a total digestible nutrients (TDN) value of 52% equates to approximately $0.22 per pound of TDN.
However, $4.35/bu corn (88% TDN) comes out to about $0.10 per pound of TDN, while wet distillers grains priced at $75/ton (108% TDN) is around $0.11 per pound of TDN.
Research at Kansas State University has looked at limit feeding calves a high energy diet at 2.2% of body weight compared to a full-fed high roughage diet (2.8% of body weight) for a 90-day backgrounding period. Both diets included 40% wet corn gluten feed (dry matter basis) and varying amounts of corn, alfalfa, prairie hay, and a supplement. Stockers limit fed the high energy diet were more efficient and gained 2.5 lb/d whereas stockers full-fed the high-roughage diet gained 2.9 lb/d. Backgrounding system had little to no effect on finishing performance or carcass characteristics.
Advantages of Limit Fed, High Energy Diets
There are several advantages to a limit feeding approach for growing calves:
- Reduced mixing time and loads of feed due to less forage in the diet.
- Less feed falling out of bunks and being wasted, reducing rodent issues.
- More efficient use of bunk space. If time, labor, and pen design allow, consider leveraging the amount of bunk space in a pen by feeding one group of calves in the morning and then rotating in a second group in the evening.
- Improved health management of calves. Healthy calves will be eager to approach the bunk at feeding time, making lethargic, sick calves easier to spot.
- Improved pen conditions and maintenance due to less manure. Research from Kansas State University has shown a 40-45% reduction in manure output when limit feeding stockers. That is huge!
Tips for Limit-Feeding Stockers
When getting calves started on feed, place long stemmed hay in bunks prior to calves arriving. For the first day’s feed delivery of the limit fed diet, start calves at an intake of approximately 0.75% of body weight (dry matter basis) and work up to 2.2% of body weight within about 14 days. As calves grow, be sure to adjust the amount of feed delivered so that target gains can be maintained. Feeding at a consistent time each day and providing adequate bunk space (at least 15 inches per head) can help prevent digestive upsets and set calves up for success.
For assistance with evaluating cost differences of feedstuffs, consider using the Feed Cost Cow-Q-Lator. The Nebraska Extension Beef Team is always available to help producers evaluate feeding options and develop rations to meet cattle nutrient needs.
Source: Erin Laborie, Nebraska Extension Educator (BeefWatch – September 1, 2023; Updated August 26, 2026)
News Release
Center for Agricultural Profitability Offers Free Financial Analysis Services for Nebraska Farmers and Ranchers
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln's Center for Agricultural Profitability is offering free, confidential, one-on-one financial analysis services to help Nebraska farmers and ranchers better understand their financial position, evaluate business options and plan for the future.
The service is designed for agricultural producers seeking support with farm or ranch finances, debt management questions, lender communications or short- and long-term business planning. Individual consultations are tailored to each operation's unique circumstances and goals.
Financial Analysis Economist David Haupt works directly with producers to review financial information, discuss challenges and opportunities, and identify practical strategies and resources to support informed decision-making.
"Understanding the financial health of an operation is critical in today's agricultural environment," Haupt said. "These consultations provide producers with an opportunity to take a closer look at their numbers, explore options and develop a plan that supports the long-term success of their business."
Through one-on-one consultations, producers can receive assistance with:
- Reviewing balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
- Evaluating debt management options.
- Developing or reviewing farm and ranch budgets.
- Assessing cash flow projections and repayment capacity.
- Preparing for lender conversations or loan applications.
- Considering the financial impacts of production, marketing, and risk management decisions.
- Identifying resources and next steps to support financial stability.
The financial analysis service is intended to provide clear, practical guidance that helps producers make informed decisions for their operations. While the service does not replace legal, tax or lending advice, it can help producers better understand their financial position and prepare for discussions with lenders, accountants, and other advisors.
Nebraska farmers and ranchers interested in scheduling a consultation can book an appointment online at https://go.unl.edu/financial-analysis.
For additional information, contact David Haupt through the Center for Agricultural Profitability at dhaupt2@unl.edu.