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
November 13: Holt County Extension Board Meeting, 5:30pm, Holt County Extension Office, O’Neill
November 13: Boyd County Extension Board Meeting, 6:00pm, Boyd County Courthouse, Butte
November 13: Boyd County 4-H Council Meeting, 7:00pm, Boyd County Courthouse, Butte
November 19: Cedar Workshop, 1:00pm-4:00pm, Fire Hall, Ericson, NE. To register: Holt County Extension Office at 402-336-2760 or email Bethany at bjohnston3@unl.edu.
November 30: DUE: The Martha and Don Romeo Scholarship, Holt-Boyd County Extension Office, O’Neill, NE, https://go.unl.edu/romeo_scholarship
December 2: ServSafe Manager Training, 8:30am-6:00pm, Hall County Extension, Grand Island, NE
December 10: Cedar Workshop, 1:00pm-4:00pm, Location TBA, Boyd County. To register: Holt County Extension Office at 402-336-2760 or email Bethany at bjohnston3@unl.edu.
Raising Kind Children
Encouraging kindness is an important responsibility for all adults who care for children. Here are some ways you can help children show kindness toward others and experience the positive feelings that grow out of kind and caring behavior.
- Set a good example. Children learn constantly from adults’ words and actions.
- Involve children in acts of kindness. Even with a busy schedule, you and your children can take a minute to help an elderly neighbor or give canned goods to a food bank in order to demonstrate concern for others.
- Explain to children why you want them to engage in kind behavior. Children are more likely to comply with adults’ wishes when they hear a reasonable and understandable explanation. For example, “Aunt Jean has been visiting with Grandma all week at the hospital so she is really tired. Would you please play quietly so that she can rest and relax?”
- To be an effective adult role model, you must match your words with your actions. For example, if you compliment someone’s new clothes but make fun of the way the clothes look when the person is gone, children receive a powerful message. They learn that saying one thing and doing another is acceptable.
- Expressing appreciation for kind and thoughtful behavior is another way to set a good example for children. By reinforcing children’s kind behavior, you are helping them to understand that their kindness makes a positive difference. For example,
LaDonna Werth
Extension Educator
Phone: 402-336-2760
E-mail: lwerth2@unl.edu
“Corrina, I am really glad that you shared the blocks with Andy. See how much he likes playing with them!”
- Children need to know that the adults in their lives care about them and others. Children who experience respect and appreciation from adults are more likely to demonstrate caring toward others.
Creating foundations in the early years (birth to age 5):
- Trust: The quality of care you give to infants can greatly influence their later development. If babies learn that the adults around them are kind and dependable, they will learn to trust the world and themselves. When you respond sensitively to babies’ needs, they feel valued and important, which builds the foundation of kindness toward others.
- Consistency: If you express consistent expectations, children develop predictable views of the world. Be consistent and clear with directions and explanations so children will feel safe in exploring the world and trying new things. If your requests and reasons are inconsistent, children become confused and unsure about what is expected.
- Positive guidance: Young children learn best when they are not frightened or angry. By using guidance based on love and respect, you can help young children become aware of the consequences of their behavior for others. Research says that harsh physical punishment can weaken children’s trust in adults. Physical punishment does not help children learn self-control. When adults use physical discipline, children feel angry at adults and ashamed of themselves. When young children experience consistent and positive guidance, they are more likely to act kindly toward others.
Building bridges between children and others (ages 6 to 12):
- Encourage children to think about others: Many school-age children are able to see the world through another’s eyes. By encouraging this ability, you are helping children to reason and think about interpersonal matters. If a school-age child engages in unkind behavior with another child, explain to her or him why the behavior is unacceptable and how this behavior makes the other child feel.
- Create opportunities and express appreciation: During the school years, you can give children more responsibility for being helpful and kind to others. By creating such opportunities for children, you also can tell them how much you appreciate their helpful behavior and how this behavior affects others. This enables children to experience the good feelings that result from being kind to others and may result in them initiating acts of kindness on their own.
- Practice empathy: Empathy is defined as “the ability to identify oneself mentally with a person or thing and so understand his/her feelings or meaning.” Empathy also involves connecting with the feelings and needs of things other than people, such as animals and the environment. You can practice empathic behavior and encourage school-age children to do the same. You can show them how empathy can help solve everyday problems.
Source: Adapted by Kim Leon, Ph.D., former State Specialist, Human Development and Family Studies, University of Missouri Extension
Late Fall Rye Planting
When planted early, fall-planted cereal rye can provide excellent cold-tolerant late fall grazing and more grazing again in the spring. Ideally, plant cereal rye as soon as possible after harvest and before two weeks after the 50% frost date. For maximum fall grazing, the target is drilling prior to mid-September for 10-12 inches forage grazing height. However, is it too late to now plant rye this fall if row crops harvest prevented early drilling?
Based on UNL research, rye cover crops planted after corn in late October to late November and terminated in late April to early May will likely still produce at least 1,000 lbs/ac of dry matter. Further, Jerry Volesky, UNL forage specialist, said that research plots drilled at North Platte during the fourth week of October will likely be successful establishing and producing good spring grazing and nitrogen (N) scavenging.
Since cereal rye is more winter-hardy than other small grains like barley, wheat and triticale, it can start growing when temperatures are as low as 32ºF and produce extensive, fibrous root systems. For later rye drilling, it is recommended to increase seeding rates 30% compared to the average seeding rates of 45-60 lbs/ac to compensate for less rye fall tillering and reduced fall growth.
The 2025 crop growing season has extended two weeks longer than average, but for adequate grazing next spring, the cereal rye fall drilling cutoff date is late November. Further, if fields are planted in late November, recommended spring termination dates will be after April 15.
Amy Timmerman
Extension Educator
Phone: 402-336-2760
E-mail: atimmerman2@unl.edu
More information regarding cover crops and cereal rye are available online at CropWatch, UNL Beef or the free Midwest Cover Crop Selector Tool.
Source: Todd Whitney – UNL Irrigation & Cropping Systems Extension Educator (CropWatch – November 3, 2025)
Understanding and Mitigating Methane Emissions from Cattle
Methane (CH₄) is one of the three primary greenhouse gases (GHGs) contributing to global warming, alongside carbon dioxide (CO₂) and nitrous oxide (N₂O). Although methane comprises about 11% of total GHGs, it is significantly more potent in trapping heat than CO₂. Importantly, methane has a relatively short atmospheric half-life of 9 to 12 years, meaning reductions in methane emissions can yield quicker climate benefits compared to other GHGs.
In agriculture, methane emissions primarily stem from enteric fermentation in ruminants like beef and dairy cattle. These animals possess a rumen which is a large fermentation chamber populated by billions of microbes including bacteria, archaea (specifically methanogens), fungi, and protozoa. These microbes break down fibrous plant materials, enabling cattle to convert otherwise indigestible feed into useable energy and protein. However, this microbial digestion also produces methane, which is expelled through eructation (or burping). Cattle can produce 150 - 600 liters (40 - 160 gallons) of methane per day, and this process accounts for about 4% of the 10% of GHGs attributed to agriculture.
Methane production is influenced by several factors including diet, feed intake, animal and microbial genetics, and stage or phase of production. Research has shown that methane output is a moderately heritable trait, opening the door to genetic selection as a mitigation strategy. In fact, recent grants have been awarded to UNL researchers to explore genetic tools and microbiome management strategies aimed at reducing methane emissions without compromising animal performance.
Bethany Johnston
Extension Educator
Phone: 402-336-2760
E-mail: bjohnston3@unl.edu
Measurement of methane emissions is complex. Techniques vary, each with trade-offs in precision, cost, and scalability. These tools have enabled researchers to test various mitigation strategies, including dietary interventions and feed additives.
Over the last several years an international effort has been addressing this problem and resulted in some exciting findings that may one day lead to widespread application and reduction of enteric methane production in cattle. One promising feed additive is 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP), which is currently approved for dairy cattle in the U.S. 3-NOP has been shown to reduce methane emissions with the extent depending on the diet. Other strategies include feeding high-grain diets or adding fat, which can reduce methane production but must be balanced against potential impacts on animal performance. Seaweed, particularly varieties containing bromoform, have shown methane reductions of up to 63%, though commercial viability and regulatory approval remain an open topic.
Beyond feed strategies, manure management also plays a role. Methane is released during manure decomposition, especially in lagoons. Anaerobic digesters can capture this methane for use as renewable energy, while also producing fertilizer and livestock bedding.
Ultimately, reducing methane emissions from cattle is a multifaceted challenge. It requires balancing environmental goals with animal health, productivity, and economic feasibility. Ongoing research at the University of Nebraska is helping producers make informed decisions by developing practical, science-based solutions that support both sustainability and livestock well-being.
As data from research is released, the Cattle Methane website will be updated.
Source: Galen Erickson, Nebraska Extension Beef Feedlot Specialist, Rick Rasby, Nebraska Extension Specialist, Matt Spangler, Professor and Beef Genetics Extension Specialist, Jessica L. Sperber, Nebraska Extension Feedlot Specialist, Rick Stowell, Extension Specialist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Biological Systems Engineering, Tami Brown Brandl – UNL Professor of Biological Systems Engineering, Samodha Fernando – UNL Rumen Microbiologist, Paul Kononoff – UNL Dairy Specialist, Kortney Harpestad – UNL Animal Science Extension Program Associate, Keara O’Reilly – UNL Research Professor (November 1, 2025 – BeefWatch)
NEWS RELEASE
Workshops to Address the Spread of Cedar Trees and Control Options
Cedar trees are rapidly spreading across Nebraska’s grasslands, threatening valuable forage for grazing animals and habitat for wildlife. In some areas, grass production has dropped by as much as 75% over the past three decades due to cedar tree encroachment. The best time to control your cedar trees is now!
To help landowners and producers tackle this issue, hands-on workshops will be held from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. CT at three locations:
- Oct. 29 at the E-Free Church in Ainsworth,
- Nov. 19 at the Fire Hall in Ericson, and
- Dec. 10 in Boyd County (location TBA).
Gain insight from real-life examples of various cedar control projects, including before/after photos, cost of the projects, cost-share options, and how producers are maintaining cedar-free pastures to maximize grass. Understanding how cedar trees spread and grow will help producers decide the best control options to use. Learn how to keep your prescribed burn contained to the unit- as slope, tree height, piles, weather, crew/equipment can be mitigated to ensure a safe and controlled burn.
Walk-ins are welcome, but registrations are appreciated. Call the Holt County Extension Office at 402-336-2760 or email Bethany at bjohnston3@unl.edu to register. Participants attending the Ainsworth location can also call the BKR Extension Office at 402-387-2213 or email Mary Jo at Mmccall2@unl.edu.
Thanks to these partners: Nebraska Extension, Pheasants Forever, the Nature Conservancy, Sandhills Task Force, Nebraska Game & Parks, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and NRCS.
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.