Holt Boyd News Column for the Week of December 21, 2025

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

December 22: Face-to-Face YQCA Training, 9:00am-10:15am, Holt County Annex, O’Neill, NE, Registration is required - https://yqcaprogram.org/

December 24-26: CLOSED: Holt and Boyd County Extension Offices

January 7: Free Farm and Ranch Succession Workshop, 9:00am-1:00pm, Holt County Courthouse Annex, Register: 1-800-464-0258

January 14: Beef Production & Private Pesticide Applicator Update, 10:00am-2:00pm, Mid-Plains Community College, Valentine, NE

January 19: Beef Production & Private Pesticide Applicator Update, 10:00am-2:00pm, Southeast Meeting Room Auditorium, Stuart, NE

January 19: Online Calving College, 7:30pm-8:45pm, Register by Jan. 12: https://cvent.me/GOYAra, More info: go.unl.edu/calving_college

January 26: Online Calving College, 7:30pm-8:45pm, Register by Jan. 12: https://cvent.me/GOYAra, More info: go.unl.edu/calving_college

January 27-28: What Did It Cost to Produce: Farm and Ranch Unit Cost of Production, 9;00am-4:00pm, Burwell Legion Hall, Burwell, NE, Pre-register one week in advance by calling Holt County Extension at 402-336-2760 or email Bethany Johnston at bjohnston3@unl.edu

February 2: Online Calving College, 7:30pm-8:45pm, Register by Jan. 12: https://cvent.me/GOYAra, More info: go.unl.edu/calving_college

February 9: In-Person Calving College, 7:30pm-8:45pm, Valentine, NE. Register by Jan. 12: https://cvent.me/GOYAra, More info: go.unl.edu/calving_college

February 11: In-Person Calving College, 7:30pm-8:45pm, Valentine, NE. Register by Jan. 12: https://cvent.me/GOYAra, More info: go.unl.edu/calving_college

• Check packaging to determine the maximum number of strings that may be linked together.
• Keep your holiday trees well-watered and away from heat sources. Dry and neglected trees can easily catch fire from a short in electrical lights or lit candles, lighters and matches.
• Turn off electrical light strings, candles and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.
   

Here are some additional safety tips to follow when decorating, as recommended by ESFI: 

• Before you begin, read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions concerning installation and maintenance of all electrical decorations.
• Inspect each decoration before plugging into an outlet. Cracked, frayed or bare wires and loose connections may cause a serious electric shock or start a fire. 
• Prevent shock by plugging outdoor decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
• Avoid plugging in too many holiday lights and other decorations into a single outlet. Overloaded outlets can overheat and cause a fire.
• Be careful not to mount or hang light strands in any way that might damage the cord’s insulation.
• Use only lights and electrical decorations that have been certified by a recognized independent testing laboratory such as UL, CSA or ETL. Using these certifications also protects you from counterfeit products that are on the market.
• Before using electrical products outdoors, make sure the product is approved and marked “for outdoor use.”
• Send warranty and product registration forms to manufacturers so they can notify you promptly in case of a recall or safety concerns.
• Turn lights and other decorations off when you leave or go to bed. This will also save you money on your energy bills.
• Only use extension cords that are in good condition. Keep all outdoor cords protected from the elements. Indoor extension cords can overheat if they are under furniture or carpeting or behind baseboards. Extension cords are designed to be a temporary solution to power needs. Use caution with extension cords as improper use can pose serious shock and fire hazards.
• Watch children around decorations. Because decorations are often brightly colored and mouth-sized, children are at risk for choking and electrocution. Keep such items off of the ground and out of reach.
• Never leave a child unsupervised while cooking or near a gas or electric stove. Unattended cooking is one of the leading causes of home fires during the holidays.
   

Space heaters are the top cause of deaths in home heating equipment-related fires. ESFI gives some important tips for using portable electric heaters:

• Plug portable space heaters directly into an outlet; do not use an extension cord.
• Keep space heaters at least three feet away from any combustible materials.
• Don’t use space heaters in rooms where children are unsupervised because they may stick their fingers or other objects through the protective guards, causing burns or shocks.
• Plug space heaters into ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets to prevent the chance for shock. A GFCI outlet should also be used in any area where water may come in contact with electrical products.
• Check the cord before plugging in the heater – if frayed, worn or broken, do not use.
• Keep all heaters out of high traffic and exit areas.

Remember that this is a time for family and friends, so relax and use your head when planning how you want to celebrate the season.

Source: Barbara Buffaloe, LEED A.P., M.S., former Extension Associate & Resident Instructor, Architectural Studies, University of Missouri Extension

However, don’t confuse droplets of white milky sap that may be found on poinsettia stems or leaves with whiteflies. Poinsettias are in the Euphoria family and normally have white, milky sap.

Do not choose a plant that is displayed inside a paper or plastic sleeve that reaches above the top foliage. Although the plant should be placed in a sleeve before it's taken home to protect the branches from being broken, plants allowed to remain in the sleeve for a long period of time often experience yellowing and dropping of the lower leaves due to ethylene buildup around the foliage.

Transporting Plants Home
Holiday plants have been growing in a warm greenhouse before arriving at the store, and they are sensitive to cold temperatures. Poinsettias and other holiday plants can be damaged by temperatures below 50° F.

So whether you buy a plant from a greenhouse or florist, or are giving a plant you’ve grown yourself, make sure it’s wrapped in several layers of paper with some dead air space between the layers before you take the plant outdoors. The final layer might be a heavy grocery sack or cardboard box.

Rush the plant from the shop or greenhouse to your heated car. If your shopping trip includes other stops, make them first, so plants don’t sit in a cold car and get chilled. When it’s time to take plants from the car, again move them quickly.

A holiday plant can be the perfect gift for many occasions, but to ensure a beautiful, healthy plant use care when selecting and transporting your gift.

Selection
When choosing a poinsettia, look for a full, well-branched plant with good color development in the showy bracts and dark green leaves. A fresh poinsettia will have little or no yellow pollen showing on the true flowers, but instead a small cluster of round yellowish buds in the center of the colorful bracts.

Other types of holiday gift plants should also have deep green colored foliage, with no dying or off-color leaves. Avoid plants with wilted foliage, or those with few leaves at the base, which can indicate health problems.

Also avoid plants if small white gnats fly up out of foliage when the plant is touched. Or if white gnats are found on the undersides of the leaves. These insects, called whiteflies, are a common greenhouse pest of poinsettia and other holiday plants. Once in your home they will fly and infest many other houseplants. And they are very difficult to control, so don’t bring them into your home.

However, don’t confuse droplets of white milky sap that may be found on poinsettia stems or leaves with whiteflies. Poinsettias are in the Euphoria family and normally have white, milky sap

Do not choose a plant that is displayed inside a paper or plastic sleeve that reaches above the top foliage. Although the plant should be placed in a sleeve before it's taken home to protect the branches from being broken, plants allowed to remain in the sleeve for a long period of time often experience yellowing and dropping of the lower leaves due to ethylene buildup around the foliage.

Transporting Plants Home
Holiday plants have been growing in a warm greenhouse before arriving at the store, and they are sensitive to cold temperatures. Poinsettias and other holiday plants can be damaged by temperatures below 50° F.

So whether you buy a plant from a greenhouse or florist, or are giving a plant you’ve grown yourself, make sure it’s wrapped in several layers of paper with some dead air space between the layers before you take the plant outdoors. The final layer might be a heavy grocery sack or cardboard box.

Rush the plant from the shop or greenhouse to your heated car. If your shopping trip includes other stops, make them first, so plants don’t sit in a cold car and get chilled. When it’s time to take plants from the car, again move them quickly.

Care at Home
Keep in mind that most Christmas plants do not tolerate either hot or cold drafts well. They do best with temperatures on the cool side (65 to 75 degrees F during the day and a little lower at night) and plenty of bright light. They will probably be chilled and injured if placed on a cold windowsill, however, especially if drapes or shades are pulled over them at night. A table near a window is better.

Avoid placing them where they'll be hit by blasts of cold air from an exterior door or gusts of hot air from a furnace duct. Heat from a wood stove, fireplace or heat-producing appliance like a television set will also speed their decline.

Once the plants are in place, keep them looking attractive and blooming longer by giving them proper care.

Most flowering plants -- including amaryllis, azalea, begonia, Christmas pepper, chrysanthemum, cyclamen, gloxinia, holiday cacti and poinsettia -- bloom best in a spot that receives all the natural light available. Better yet is 12 to 16 hours of bright light from fluorescent tubes.

Check plants daily and water whenever the soil surface begins to feel dry. If containers have drainage holes in the bottom, add water until some drains out the bottom. Plants in containers without drainage holes are very easy to overwater. Plant roots need air as well as water -- too much water and they die and then rot.

Compared to the greenhouses where the plants were grown, most houses are extremely dry, and plants may suffer from low humidity. Leaves may dry around the edges and flower buds fail to open or fall prematurely. Grouping plants on trays of moist gravel, placing them in areas of the house that are naturally more humid, such as the kitchen or bathroom, or using a room humidifier to add moisture to the air should help prolong flowering. Keeping plants out of warm drafts and away from TVs and other appliances that give off heat will also help.

High temperatures will shorten the flowering period, as well as increase problems due to low humidity so place plants where they'll be exposed to temperatures of 65 to 75 degrees F during the daytime and 50 to 55 degrees at night. Cyclamen and paperwhite narcissus will hold up better at 60 to 65 degrees during the day and 50 degrees at night.

Fertilizing usually isn't necessary unless the plants are going to be kept and rebloomed and this is usually practical only with amaryllis and holiday cacti. Other flowering plants require temperature and/or light conditions that are difficult to achieve in the home.

Gift Instructions
Any plant going from a brightly lighted greenhouse or shop into the dry, low-light environment of a typical home in later December will have some adjustments to make. Be sure to give the giftee some care instructions along with the plant so they can care for it properly to keep it healthy.

1. Christmas or Thanksgiving cactus are an easy houseplant to grow and provide beautiful color during the winter months.
2. Ornamental peppers are pretty and colorful, and they are edible, too! But watch out, they can be very hot!

Source: Sarah Browning – Nebraska Extension Educator (December 11, 2022)

• Electric or propane heaters
• Heat tape
• Solar power
• Maintaining a continuous flow of water (continuous flow tanks)
• Create windbreakers that shield the waterer from the wind to help reduce freezing

Adapting Nutrition for Winter Needs
As temperatures drop, cattle’s energy requirements increase as they attempt to maintain body temperature. Cattle typically require around 1% to 2% more feed for every degree-Fahrenheit that the temperature falls below their comfort zone, which is around 15°F (-10°C) for cattle with a dry coat during the winter months. The lower critical temperature for feedlot cattle changes based on season, coat type, and weather conditions (dry vs. wet).

Increasing energy-dense feeds, such as grains, help cattle maintain increased energy demand. Providing extra roughage, which is a good source of fiber, helps the animal generate more body heat through ruminal digestion. When a winter storm is predicted to last for 3 or more days, implementation of storm rations becomes critical. Storm ration recommendations vary across feedlot nutritionists, but the general recommendation is to increase roughage in the diet by 7 to 10% of diet dry matter. Storm rations are critical when large snowfall events are predicted which can make it difficult for feedlot personnel to deliver adequate feed to the bunk. The increased roughage in the diet helps to alleviate digestive upset and risk of acidosis.

Create a Sheltered Environment
Windbreaks
While cattle can tolerate cold weather reasonably well, cold stress is exacerbated during wet and cold weather. Windbreaks, such as trees, walls, man-made structures, or strategically placed hay bales, reduce wind exposure and prevent snow from drifting into the pen. Windbreaks must be tall enough to block the wind, aim for 7- to 8-feet in height while still allowing for some air flow between breaks. Common products used for construction of windbreaks include windboards and guardrail with 2-to-2.5-inch openings between the rails. Guardrails require little to no maintenance, making them an excellent option for windbreak structures.

Bedding
Offer bedding as a source of insulation for cattle when temperatures drop. Bedding made from straw, corn stalks, or other materials keep cattle off the cold ground, reduce heat loss, and provide comfort. Remove or top dress fresh bedding onto wet or soiled bedding regularly, as moisture increases the risk of cold stress and reduces the efficiency of feedlot cattle. In a study from North Dakota State University (Anderson et al., 2006), offering modest bedding during feedlot winter weather events (defined as “straw available for steers to lay on”) increased daily gain by 0.86 lb/d and improved feed efficiency by 31% with no change in feed intake.

How much bedding is required during the winter months?
The bedding requirements of feedlot cattle vary based on geographical location, winter precipitation/snowfall, and size of the animal. Feedlots located in areas with colder temperatures and greater snowfall will need to bed more than feedlots located in milder, arid environments. In general, outside of a major snowfall event, feedlots located in heavy snowfall and cold environments are not bedding every pen, every day. On average, yards bed every 2 to 3 days during the winter months, offering anywhere from 2 to 4 pounds of bedding per animal per day, depending on the magnitude of the winter conditions. During extreme snowfall events, feedlots may increase the volume of bedding delivered by 10-15%. Heavier cattle require fresh bedding more often, as they cover a greater surface area and release more body heat compared to lighter cattle.

Monitoring and Managing Animal Health
Foot health and lameness become more challenging during freeze/thaw cycles, particularly if there is mud involved, and hairy heal wart can become more challenging to manage. In general, there are more physical injuries during the winter months due to ice/slick conditions, especially if yards are dealing with riding or buller problems in the pen. Hospital pens require extra attention during the winter months, as compromised cattle (railers/chronic) are greater impacted by the cold. Not only is the care of cattle critical during the winter months, but attention and maintenance of facilities is critical prior to the cold front moving in.

Tips on how to prepare your yard for the winter months:

• Check that water heaters are in working order
• Assure heated drug storage rooms aren’t at risk of freezing and destroying product – once frozen vaccines must be discarded (cannot be thawed and used)
• Check on the status of your vaccine refrigerator as household refrigerators can malfunction at low environmental temperatures and do not prevent products from freezing
• Mark parasite control on your processing calendar – if you see cattle rubbing, you are behind on lice management
• Vaccinate cattle against common winter pathogens prior to the cold front, as parasites can thrive in bedded packs and wet pens
• Signs like coughing, nasal discharge, and lethargy are indicators of respiratory challenges, which are more likely to spread in crowded or poorly ventilated pens

Planning ahead is critical during the winter months. By preparing in advance, you can protect your cattle's health, minimize performance dips, and ease management challenges in the yard.

This article was originally produced in Progressive Cattle-Canada written by UNL Feedlot Specialist, Jessica Sperber.

References
Anderson, V. L., R. J. Wiederholt, and J. P. Schoonmaker. 2006. Effects of bedding cattle during the winter on performance, carcass quality, and nutrients in manure.

Carrington Research Extension Center Beef Report; Carrington Research Extension Center. Carrington, ND, USA.

Wagner, D. G. 1988. Effects of cold stress on cattle performance and management factors to reduce cold stress and improve performance. The Bovine Practitioner. 23:88-93.

Source: Jessica L Sperber – Nebraska Extension Feedlot Specialist (BeefWatch – February 25, 2025)

NEWS RELEASE

Unit Cost of Production Workshops 

The Nebraska Extension will host Unit Cost of Production workshops in central Nebraska in December and January to provide hands-on learning experiences for producers in calculating the unit cost of production for a cow-calf operation.

Workshops will be held at two locations. Both days will run from 9am-4:00pm CT.

• The first workshop will be held on Dec. 8 and 9 at Community Center (small room) in Atkinson. 
• The second workshop will be on Jan. 27 and 28 at the Legion Hall in Burwell. 

Pre-register one week in advance. Call the Nebraska Extension office in Holt County at 402-336-2760 or email Bethany Johnston at bjohnston3@unl.edu.

Each location is limited to 25 people. The cost is $50 per participant and includes meals and materials for both days. Contact Aaron Berger at 308-235-3122 with questions about the workshops.

“Having information to make effective business decisions is important for ranch success. Enterprise analysis and unit cost of production (UCOP) are tools that can help ranchers identify where value is being created on the ranch, where costs are occurring, and what changes could be made to improve profit,” Berger said.

While it takes time to set up and calculate a UCOP, the benefits are:

• Knowing what present costs are.
• Projecting what unit cost of production will be in 2026.
• Identifying opportunities to improve profitability. 
• Using information to make management and marketing decisions.

Participants in this workshop will work through a sample ranch to determine the economic profitability of four common ranch enterprises: cow-calf, stockers/breeding heifers, hay, and land. They will go through the steps of analyzing costs and calculating what it costs to produce a unit of product for each enterprise. Participants will also learn how to identify how changes could improve ranch profitability.

Again, pre-register one week in advance for both locations. Call the Nebraska Extension office in Holt County at 402-336-2760 or email Bethany Johnston at bjohnston3@unl.edu.

NEWS RELEASE

Calving College 2026

Following an overwhelmingly positive response last year, Nebraska Extension is pleased to bring back the Calving College series for 2026. The three-part webinar, Fundamental Knowledge for Successful Calving Season, will take place January 19, January 26, and February 2, 2026, from 7:30-8:45pm CT, and will be complemented by hands-on, in-person workshops held across four locations February 9-12, 2026. This program offers practical, research-based guidance for farmers, ranchers, and veterinary professionals working to ensure a successful calving season.

Webinar Series Topics:

• January 19, 2026 - Understanding Normal. Discussion includes stages of labor, what happens to the cow and calf during delivery, recognizing and knowing how to manage abnormal, when and how to assist delivery,
• January 26, 2026 - First 24 hours: post-calving care for cows and calves. Reviewing normal vitals for the cow and neonatal calf and recognizing and managing complications in the first hours of life, including the importance of colostrum management, and calf resuscitation techniques.
• February 2, 2026 - 48 Hours and Beyond: Keeping cow and calf healthy and thriving. Topics include nutritional requirements, common health concerns in calves, managing environmental stress in the first 2 months of life, and how to manage orphan calves.
• February 9, 2026 - Cherry County Extension, Valentine, NE. 6:00pm CST

Each webinar will be co-led by Dr. Becky Funk, DVM, Animal Health Teaching and NE Extension Specialist and Dr. Lindsay Waechter-Mead, DVM, NE Extension Livestock Educator, allowing participants to engage and ask questions in real-time.

New This Year! Participants will be eligible for BQA continuing education credits.

In-Person Workshop: The series will culminate in a hands-on workshop offered February 9-12, 2026, where participants can practice their skills using a life-sized cow and calf model. This unique opportunity will provide practical experience in a supportive environment, ensuring participants leave with confidence and competence. 

Details of the Series:

• Webinar Dates: January 19, 26, February 2, 2026
• Time: 7:30-8:45pm CST
• Location: Online (link provided upon registration)
• In-Person Workshop opportunities:
• February 10, 2026 - Tripp County 4-H Center, 815 W 12^th St Winner, SD 6:00pm CST
• February 11, 2026 - West Holt FFA Shop, 1000 N. Main St. Atkinson, NE 6:00pm CST
• February 12, 2026 - Northeast Community College, 801 E. Benjamin Ave. Norfolk, NE 6:00pm CST
• Registration Fee: $80 for 3-part webinar series plus one in-person workshop
• Register at: https://cvent.me/GOYAra
• Webinar participants will receive a notebook of Nebraska Extension resources and access to the recorded webinars to view at your convenience. Participants are asked to register by January 12, 2026, to ensure resources are received before the series begins. A computer and internet connection will be needed to participate in the webinar series.

For more information about the Calving College webinar series and workshop, please contact Dr. Lindsay Waechter-Mead at 402-746-3417 or lindsay.waechter-mead@unl.edu

NEWS RELEASE

Free Farm & Ranch Succession Workshops Offered in Mullen, Valentine, Ainsworth, and O’Neill

Nebraska farm and ranch families are invited to attend a free educational workshop focused on succession and estate planning. Hosted by the Nebraska Rural Response Hotline in collaboration with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s Beginning Farmer Tax Credit and Negotiations Programs, Nebraska Extension, and the Nebraska Farmers Union Foundation, these workshops are designed to help producers prepare for the future of their operations.

The Farm & Ranch Succession Workshops will take place:

• Mullen: Jan. 5 from 11 am to 3 pm MT at the Methodist Church (304 N Veteran Ave). Meal sponsored by Dayspring Bank.
• Valentine: Jan. 6 from 10 am to 2 pm CT at Mid-Plains Community College (715 US-20 E). Meal sponsored by Security First Bank.
• Ainsworth: Jan. 6 from 5 pm to 9 pm CT at the Ainsworth Church of the Nazarene. Meal sponsored by Tri-County Bank.
• O’Neill: Jan. 7 from 9 am to 1 pm CT at Holt County Courthouse Annex (128 N 6th St.). Meal sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America.

Speakers include Weston Svoboda, and Jessica Groskopf. These workshops will cover:

• Estate and succession planning: key considerations, decisions, and available tools
• Transfer, death, and tax implications including portability
• The use of LLCs in succession planning: buy-sell agreements and asset protection
• Options, lease rights, and preemptive rights
• Finance and management issues in succession strategies

“These workshops are intended to help farm and ranch families start, continue, or refine their succession and estate plans,” said Jessica Groskopf. “Planning for the future ensures a smooth transition to the next generation and protects the legacy of Nebraska’s agricultural producers.”

While the workshop is free, we kindly ask that you register ahead of time to help us prepare meals and materials. To register or for more information, please contact the Nebraska Rural Response Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.

This event is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under agreement number FSA22CPT0012189.

NEWS RELEASE

Nebraska Extension Launches Six-Part Webinar Series on Controlling Invasive Weeds and Pests in Pastures

Nebraska Extension will offer a six-part webinar series in February 2026 designed to equip ranchers, landowners, and natural resource professionals with the latest research and management strategies for tackling invasive weeds, woody encroachment, and pasture pests.

“Controlling Invasive Weeds & Pests in Pastures” will be held over three weeks, with webinars taking place on Mondays and Thursdays - Feb. 9, 12, 16, 19, 23 and 26 - from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. MT (7:30 to 8:45 p.m. CT).

The series brings together Nebraska Extension specialists and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to address several of the most pressing challenges in pasture and rangeland management.

Topics & Speakers include:

• Understanding regulations regarding pesticide application in pastures and noxious weed laws in Nebraska - Nebraska Department of Agriculture.
• Learn common invasive broadleaf weeds, herbicide options and the critical aspect of timing for control. Dr. Nevin Lawrence will discuss research results and how these apply to land managers.
• Woody encroachment on pastures is clear to see. Presenters Ben Beckman and Bethany Johnston will cover when control methods work best on cedars and troublesome shrubs.
• Invasive winter annuals like cheatgrass can wreck native range. Dr. Mitch Stephenson will discuss recent research in the Panhandle that is providing data on the effectiveness of herbicide options.
• What is that? New weeds to watch for will be the topic Gary Stone discusses early detection, and rapid response is key to control problem plants.
• Grasshopper populations can cause significant forage losses on pastures. Dave Boxler will discuss when treatment is warranted and restrictions for insecticide applications.

Registration is $75 per person and includes a mailed packet of key reference materials: the 2025 UNL Guide to Weed Management, Weeds of the Great Plains, and a booklet of NebGuides and Extension Circulars focused on invasive species. Webinars will be recorded.

Registration closes Jan. 26 to ensure participants receive their materials before the first webinar.

Those interested may register at https://go.unl.edu/PasturePests .

For more information, contact your local Nebraska Extension office or visit extension.unl.edu.

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