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
February 28-March 16: Holt County Market Beef and Second Year Bucket Calf Weigh-On-Your-Own Days
March 3: Private Pesticide Training, 1:00-4:00pm, Methodist Church, Verdigre, NE
March 4: UNL Land Application Manure Training, 9:00am-4:0-pm, Madison County Extension Office, Norfolk, NE
March 4: Recertification Commercial/Noncommercial Pesticide Training, 8:30am–5:00pm, Holt County Extension Office, O’Neill, NE
March 5: UNL Land Application Manure Training, 9:00am-4:00pm, Nielsen Community Center, West Point, NE
March 9: Deadline: Enroll on 4-H Online For a Chance to Win a 4-H T-Shirt, v2.4honline.com
March 9: Face-To-Face YQCA Training, 6:30pm, Holt County Courthouse Annex Meeting Room, O’Neill, NE
March 10: Considerations of Causes of Low Pregnancy Rates in Young Beef Cows Webinar, 7:30pm, go.unl.edu/gd83
March 17: Initial Commercial/Noncommercial Pesticide Training, 8:30am-5:00pm, Madison County Extension, Norfolk, NE
March 19: Private Pesticide Training, 1:30pm, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Spencer, NE
March 24: Recertification Commercial/Noncommercial Pesticide Training, 8:30am-5:00pm, Madison County Extension Office, Norfolk, NE
April 1: DUE: Holt County Market Beef & Second Year Bucket Calves ID Sheets, Holt County Extension Office
School Success Requires Family Commitment
According to education experts, a lot of school success depends on attitudes toward education fostered in the home.
“There are ways families can help children get the most out of their school years. To start with, a positive attitude toward education is needed,” said Renette Wardlow, human development specialist, University of Missouri Extension.
Studies show that motivated students learn more quickly and achieve more effectively while discouraged children lack the motivation to do what is expected of them.
One way for parents to motivate their child is by providing encouragement for school success, no matter how small. Wardlow recommends “when your child becomes frustrated with an assignment, provide supportive advice.”
“Be realistic in your expectations and don’t expect the impossible from your child. I think it is important to sit down with your child at the start of the school year to help them set goals for the coming school year. Then give support to your mutually agreed upon plan,” said Wardlow.
It is also important to help set a positive climate for good study habits according to Wardlow. For example, set aside a special place at home for studying.
LaDonna Werth
Extension Educator
Phone: 402-336-2760
E-mail: lwerth2@unl.edu
“Encourage a regular time and place for homework. With studying, emphasis should be on making it a habit. Regularity is the key,” said Wardlow.
Source: Renette Wardlow, Human Development Specialist, Christian County, University of Missouri Extension, wardlowr@missouri.edu
Dry Winter Forage Irrigation
Extreme dry winter conditions have many alfalfa, wheat and other forage producers considering possible late winter irrigation. In many locations, stored subsoil moisture levels are very low, with some at least 5 inches below normal. So, dry winter conditions may trigger earlier irrigation.
However, until air temperatures consistently stay above 40ºF, it will likely be wise to delay irrigation for at least one month to protect irrigation equipment from freezing. Although irrigation equipment is generally safe to operate when temperatures are about 34ºF, there have been cases where 40ºF air temperatures have frozen outer pivots and created considerable equipment damage.
Also, early spring irrigation runs the risk of bringing wheat out of dormancy prematurely. If temperatures drop afterward, there is risk of potential late spring freezes damaging immature heads of early tillers. So, monitor temperature and field soil moisture to protect wheat from winterkill/springkill and improve yield.
Usually, the target is to provide 3.0 to 4.0 inches per acre of available soil stored water to hydrate wheat during the winter months. Our Nebraska Extension NebGuide EC731, “Producing Irrigated Winter Wheat,” outlines wheat peak water development usage stages as:
- Jointing
- Boot
Amy Timmerman
Extension Educator
Phone: 402-336-2760
E-mail: atimmerman2@unl.edu
- Heading (flowering through kernel dough)
- Final kernel development.
Of the 22 inches of normal total wheat crop water usage from snow, rain, soil stored and supplemental irrigation, only 3.0 to 4.0 inches will be needed for final kernel plumping. Based on peak wheat growth stages, plants will utilize about 0.23-inch per acre per day during the main growing season. Coarse textured (sandy) soils will require earlier and more frequent watering to reduce stress compared to other soil textures.
For alfalfa, producers may irrigate during April and May to fill the root zone without water runoff to promote healthy roots. Then, adjust supplemental irrigation based on soil stored water, evapotranspiration (ET), and rainfall, to provide about 6 inches per acre per target ton of alfalfa production. Our Nebraska Extension NebGuide G1778, “Irrigation Management and Crop Characteristics of Alfalfa” provides more details.
Source: Todd Whitney – Extension Educator (CropWatch – February 25, 2026)
Zoonotic Disease Risks in Scouring Calves
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), zoonotic diseases are pathogens that can spread from animals to humans, leading to illness.
There are several different germs that have the potential to be zoonotic, with some more prevalent than others.
While it is important to familiarize yourself with all potential areas of concern, this article will focus on diseases that may be more commonly observed following contact with young, scouring calves.
Cryptosporidiosis
Cryptosporidiosis (Crypto) is a common disease that causes severe, watery diarrhea in both animals and humans. Crypto is caused by a very small parasite called Cryptosporidium, which can live in the environment for months. Once ingested by the animal, the parasite completes its life cycle in the intestines and is shed in the feces.
Crypto can be spread to humans through oral contact with contaminated soil, water, or feces. Zoonotic transmission often occurs during calving season when treating infected calves.
Bethany Johnston
Extension Educator
Phone: 402-336-2760
E-mail: bjohnston3@unl.edu
Salmonellosis
Salmonella is a widespread gram-negative bacteria that may cause diarrhea in young calves, with dairy calves being most prevalent. Infected cattle range in age from under one month to adult, with most patients lacking adequate colostrum intake at birth. A human outbreak from contact with dairy calves infected with Salmonella occurred in 2018, leading to 56 cases with 17 hospitalizations. Salmonella can also be spread by ingestion of contaminated food sources, including unpasteurized milk.
E. coli
Enterotoxigenic E. coli is a bacteria that affects calves between one to four days of age. Newborn calves are exposed to E. coli through environmental contamination. Risk of infection increases when calving in contaminated environments. E. coli can be directly spread to humans through fecal-oral contamination.
Prevention
Zoonotic diseases can be prevented with proper protection.
- Consider an isolation area for treating sick calves that can be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
- A footbath containing disinfectant is helpful to prevent the spread in and out of the treatment area. Once the footbath contains organic material, it should be replaced with a fresh solution.
- Designate footwear and outerwear that can be easily cleaned or disposed after use.
- Keep a separate area to store work clothes once inside.
- Wear gloves and avoid touching your face when around animals.
- Always wash your hands with soap and water, especially before eating, drinking, or using tobacco products.
While all people are susceptible to these diseases, young children, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are at greater risk.
Biosecurity is vital to prevent the spread of disease in both animals and people.
To find resource to create a biosecurity plan on your operation, visit https://www.bqa.org/resources/biosecurity-resources. For further information or questions, contact Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance at nebraskaBQA@unl.edu or 308-633-0158.
Source: Lindsay Waechter-Mead - DVM, Nebraska Extension Beef Educator (UNL Beef – March 1, 2026)
News Release
Workshops Aim to Boost Crop Yields by Improving Manure Management
LINCOLN, NE - Turning manure nutrients into improved crop yields while protecting water and soil quality will be the focus of seven Nebraska Extension workshops scheduled across the state in February and March.
“Our workshops focus on choosing the best possible field for manure application and therefore are useful for any crop farmer utilizing manure, even though they have traditionally been attended by livestock producers,” 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 Water, Energy and Environment’s Title 130.”
The day-long sessions, held from 9:00am to 4:00pm local time, provide DWEE Land Application Training certification. Participants must attend the full program, which includes lunch, to earn certification. Sessions will cover regulatory updates and strategies for using manure effectively on cropland. While certification is available, anyone may attend, including crop farmers and smaller livestock operators seeking practical guidance for their operations.
Hands-on activities will help participants evaluate which fields are best suited for manure application. Each session will present a scenario in which attendees assess potential fields and determine whether manure use would be beneficial or if certain limitations make the site less desirable. Participants will then rank fields by priority based on factors such as nutrient value, transportation cost, soil health, water quality, neighbor proximity, and odor concerns. Regulations and record-keeping requirements for manure storage and application will also be covered.
Workshop dates and locations:
- Gothenburg – Feb. 9
- Ainsworth – Feb. 24
- Broken Bow – Feb. 25
- Bridgeport – Feb. 27
- Norfolk – March 4
- West Point – March 5
- Aurora – March 17
Because seating is limited and meals are provided, advance registration is required at least one week before each event. Additional sessions may be added if demand is high. Registration is available at water.unl.edu/lat.
The cost is $100 per operation requiring certification - typically larger livestock facilities - or $25 per person for attendees not seeking certification, including smaller livestock producers, crop farmers, NRCS staff, and landlords.
The workshops are sponsored by Nebraska Extension’s Animal Manure Management Team, which works to help livestock and crop producers maximize the agronomic and environmental benefits of manure. For more information, visit manure.unl.edu or contact Leslie Johnson at 402-584-3818 or ljohnson13@nebraska.edu.
News Release
Nebraska Extension to Host Webinar on Low Pregnancy Rates in Young Cows
Lincoln, Neb. - Low pregnancy rates in young cows can significantly impact herd replacement costs and long-term profitability for cow-calf producers. To address this challenge, Nebraska Extension will host a webinar, Considerations of Causes of Low Pregnancy Rates in Young Cows, on Tuesday, March 10.
The webinar will begin at 6:30pm Mountain time (7:30 p.m. Central) and focus on key biological and management factors that influence reproductive success in young cows.
Topics and presenters include:
- Heifer Development – Dr. Rick Funston and Dr. Kacie McCarthy
- Genetic Selection – Dr. Matt Spangler
- Nutrition for the Cow – Dr. Karla Wilke
- Infectious Diseases and Infertility – Dr. Brian Vander Ley and Dr. Matt Hille.
The first 40 minutes of the program will feature short presentations from each speaker, followed by a live questions-and answer session. Participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with Nebraska Extension specialists, veterinarians, and educators.
The webinar is open to cow-calf producers, veterinarians, and consultants. The goal of the program is to encourage discussion around low pregnancy rates in young cows and to provide research-based insights that can be applied in herd management decisions.
There is no cost to attend, but advance registration is requested. To register, email Aaron Berger at mailto:aberger2@unl.edu by Friday, March 6. A recording of the webinar will be made available to registered participants following the program.
If you would like to attend an in-person location to view the webinar and engage in discussion with other producers, the following locations will also host the webinar. Please RSVP by March 6.
- Buffalo County, Office Building, 1400 E 34th St., Kearney, Brent Plugge, 308-236-1235
- Holt County Courthouse Annex, 128 N 6th St., O’Neill, Bethany Johnston, 402-336-2760
- Nance County Office, 304 3rd St., Fullerton, Josie Crouch, 308-536-2691
- Sheridan County Office, 800 South Loofborrow St., Rushville, Brock Ortner, 308-327-2312
- Lincoln County Office, 402 W. State Farm Rd., Snyder Building, North Platte, Randy Saner,
- 308-532-2683
- Central Sandhills Area Office, Thomas County Courthouse, Thedford, TL Meyer, 308-645-2267.
For more information, contact Berger at 308-235-3122 or mailto:aberger2@unl.edu