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
January 14: Beef Production & Private Pesticide Applicator Update, 10:00am-2:00pm, Mid-Plains Community College, Valentine, NE
January 14: Holt County Extension Board Meeting, 6:30pm, Holt County Courthouse Annex, O'Neill, NE
January 14: Boyd County Extension Board Meeting, 7:00pm, Boyd County Courthouse, 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 21: Prescribed Fire Workshop, 9am-3pm, Ericson Fire Hall, Ericson, NE
January 24: Nebraska State 4-H Indoor Archery Championships, Sheep Barn, Fonner Park, Grand Island, Register at: https://forms.gle/6xExdpYmvmQBEkT4A, Contact Info: Becky Carmin: bowmins@gmail.com
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 1: DUE: Holt County 4-H Council High School Senior Scholarship Applications, https://go.unl.edu/holt_county_4-h_scholarships
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 3: DUE: 4-H Special Garden Project, TO ORDER SEEDS: Complete the form https://go.unl.edu/holtboydspecialgardenseeds
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
Does Birth Order Make A Difference?
All children are unique and have different needs. Sometimes these needs can be influenced by a child’s birth order or if he or she is an only child.
Often, first-born children are raised differently from later-born children. Parents give the first-born child more attention, more talking, more holding and take more photographs. First-born children are more serious and more sensitive to their parents’ expectations. They are more conscientious on observing rules and demonstrate a leadership role, as well as a sense of dependency from parents. Research psychologists found that first-borns have higher motivation to achieve than their younger siblings. When a second child arrives, the first-born may feel dethroned. With this role comes a new responsibility.
Middle-born children tend to avoid conflict and are negotiators. They don’t have the authority of the oldest and the freedom of the youngest. They may feel they are “squished in the middle.” Middle-born children seem more friendly and easygoing because they usually learn to be cooperative and sociable. In most cases, they are less concerned about winning approval than the oldest siblings, but they may be concerned with fairness.
Youngest-born children receive the attention of parents and siblings almost as much as first-born children. That helps a youngest child build a sense of security from having family members’ emotional and physical support. They also learn how to relate with and
LaDonna Werth
Extension Educator
Phone: 402-336-2760
E-mail: lwerth2@unl.edu
influence others. Youngest-born children have more freedom than older siblings and can do many things on their own.
An only child may become very verbal and intelligent or shy and helpless. They may feel they are special and entitled to have their own way. The only child may also become resourceful since they spend more time alone.
Sometimes, the number of years between children will assume a psychological position different from their actual birth order position. Moreover, the sex of children, physical differences or disabilities, blended families, the birth order position of the parents and the relationships between the parents can affect the constellation.
Although these are general remarks, this information can remind us that each child, no matter what the birth order is, deserves parents’ attention and individualized love. Regardless of the birth order, parents should treat each child lovingly and warmly, and accept the child just because of who he or she is.
Source: Nina Chen, Ph.D., CFLE, Human Development Specialist, Jackson County, University of Missouri Extension; Leman, K. 1992. The birth order book: Why you are the way you are. NY: Dell Publishing.
Practical Manure Management Tips for Small Farms: Protecting Water, Soil, and Community
Small farms play a vital role in food production, environmental stewardship, and rural communities. But small farms can also have big negative impacts on their neighbors if they are not managing their nutrients, animals, or soil in ways that protect local air and water quality. Sure, a small farm might only do a little bit of damage, but we remember what our mom told us: “Mind your manners and treat people like you'd want to be treated.” And when we apply that golden rule to farming, we see that no matter the size of the operation, we all have a role in preserving our local environment. Fortunately, with good planning and practical tools, even resource-limited farms can manage manure effectively and protect water and soil quality while reducing odor and improving fertilizer value.
Why Good Manure Management Matters
Manure is a valuable resource when it’s handled and applied correctly. But poorly managed manure can contribute to water pollution, soil nutrient imbalance, and odor concerns in nearby communities.
Water Protection Starts with Containment
Storing manure correctly is the first step toward protecting nearby waterways. When rain falls on uncovered manure piles or recently applied fields, nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus can run off into streams or leach into groundwater. These nutrients feed algae blooms, which can damage aquatic ecosystems and degrade water quality for everyone downstream.
Amy Timmerman
Extension Educator
Phone: 402-336-2760
E-mail: atimmerman2@unl.edu
For small farms, manure storage options include:
- Clay-lined pits or lagoons –If you have or are considering adding a few animals to your operation you’d know that only a few animals can produce enough waste that will need designated storages. For liquid storage, a well-constructed clay liner helps prevent leaching of nutrients into groundwater and can last up to 15 years.
- Concrete or impermeable pads – For dry, stacked manure, an impermeable storage base provides a stable and easier cleanup area.
- Covered storage – Using tarps, or impermeable fabric can reduce odor and moisture infiltration for temporary manure storage.
Financial assistance is availble to help cover the cost of adding new manure storage facilities through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) from USDA-NRCS. Current animal feeding operations are eligible for funding that covers a wide variety of conservation practices. However, it is important to remember that approval and distribution of EQIP funds takes time, if you are considering an upgrade for your manure storages connect with your local NRCS field office and start planning at least 2 years before expecting to begin construction.
Reducing Odor with Smart Storage and Application
Odor is one of the most noticeable signs of manure mismanagement and it can create major friction with neighbors. Using covers on manure storage, composting manure, and/or timely application (when weather conditions and wind direction are favorable) all help reduce odor issues. Nebraska extension has developed a risk management and odor footprint tool to help farmers understand the potential environmental impacts of animal production or manure for their location. Check out both tools on the Nebraska Ag Site Planner.
Making the Most of Manure with Nutrient Planning
Applying the right amount of manure at the right time keeps nutrients in the soil (where crops need them) and out of waterways. Nutrient management plans help farmers match application rates to crop needs and soil conditions. Even though small animal farms and crop-only users of manure are not required to create a nutrient management plan, doing so can help to both increase the value of using manure each year and protect local waterways. A win-win situation!
Extension resources or local NRCS offices can assist with developing and implementing a nutrient management plan and get you started with:
- Soil testing
- Manure sampling
- Determining agronomic rates
- Identifying the best application windows to reduce your risk of losing nutrients due to runoff
Consider joining the manure team at one of its annual manure application training sessions to learn more about how to use manure in the best way possible.
Buffers, Vegetated Buffers and Bioretention: Natural Water Filters
When applying manure, it is important to remember that manure is never permitted to come into contact with surface water. Even if your farm doesn’t require an operating permit manure application and manure storage must be at least 30 ft from any surface water.
Even when not applying manure, if your fields slope toward a gully, stream, or pond, consider installing a vegetated buffer or bioretention area. These plant-based systems slow runoff and filter out contaminants before they reach water bodies. They're simple to build and can fit into existing farm layouts with minimal disruption.
The Bottom Line:
Every farm, no matter how big, can make a difference in protecting Nebraska’s water and soil. With a few thoughtful practices, small farms can boost crop production, improve neighbor relations, and protect their local natural resources.
Source: Seth Caines – Former UNL Environmental Engineering Student (UNL Water – September 24, 2025)
Part 1 of 6: What are greenhouse gases (GHG) and where are they produced?
Greenhouse gases (GHG) are molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere that allow heat from the sun to pass through to the surface while restricting heat from escaping back through the atmosphere, leading to a net warming effect on the climate. The name ‘greenhouse gas’ originated from the process first observed in glass greenhouses. The glass lets sunlight and solar heat into the “greenhouse” but does not let heat escape as easily, creating a desirable environment for growing plants during cold weather. Greenhouse gases similarly trap heat produced by the sun and produce a warming effect on a global scale.
The primary greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). It’s important to note that these compounds are naturally present in the atmosphere at small concentrations and are not problematic when in balance. Plants take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis, as part of the biological carbon cycle, and when this carbon returns to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (natural respiration and decomposition processes), balance is maintained. The concerns about GHG relate to contributions from human-influenced (referred to as ‘anthropogenic’) activities, which have increasingly tipped things out of balance, resulting in increasing GHG concentrations in the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide accounts for about 80% of GHG emissions. Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere through burning fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and oil), decomposition of solid waste, and other organic materials, and because of certain chemical reactions (e.g., cement production). Methane accounts for about 11% of GHG emissions. Methane is emitted during production and transportation of
Bethany Johnston
Extension Educator
Phone: 402-336-2760
E-mail: bjohnston3@unl.edu
coal, natural gas, and oil and from agriculture. Nitrous oxide accounts for about 6% of GHG emissions. Nitrous oxide is emitted during agricultural land use, and industrial activities; combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste; and treatment of wastewater.
Each of these gases can remain in the atmosphere for different amounts of time, ranging from a few years to thousands of years. All gases remain in the atmosphere long enough to become mixed, meaning that the concentration in the atmosphere measured at one location is roughly the same all over the world.
Half-life is defined as the time needed for an element or compound to decrease to half of its original value. The atmospheric half-life of carbon dioxide is thousands of years. In comparison, the atmospheric half-life of the methane is about 9 to 12 years, meaning that after 9 to 12 years, half of the methane released today into the atmosphere will have been degraded into carbon dioxide (effectively removed). The shorter half-life of methane means it has less “staying ability” in the atmosphere as greenhouse gases. However, methane is more potent than other GHGs, meaning that it is more effective at trapping heat.
Methane produced by both beef and dairy cattle as well as other ruminants such as sheep, deer, and goats is called “enteric methane”. This methane is produced when feeds are digested in the rumen by microorganisms through fermentation. During the natural process of rumen fermentation, methane is belched out through the mouth and into the atmosphere. Enteric methane’ represents about 4% of the 10% GHGs coming from agriculture.
Source: Kortney Harpestad – UNL Animal Science Extension Program Associate, Galen Erickson, Nebraska Extension Beef Feedlot Specialist, Paul Kononoff – UNL Dairy Specialist, Rick Rasby, Extension Specialist (UNL Beef – January 1, 2026)
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 12th 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
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.