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
October 12-29: Knowing, Growing, and Grazing Grass Webinar Series, Monday and Thursday evenings, 7:30pm – 8:45pm CT, https://go.unl.edu/knowing_grass
Oct 12-Dec 17: Tai Chi For Energy Online Classes, Mondays & Thursdays, 5:00pm – 6:00pm, https://pears.io/events/nebraskaextension/10949/, For Questions: Contact Brittany Spieker at bspieker2@unl.edu or (402) 322-2899
October 15: ARC/PLC Options Webinar, 12:00pm CT, https://unl.zoom.us/.../regi.../WN_NOTnN-03Sc2_g4LX6JyZFw
October 17: Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor Update Session, 8:00am, Ashland Gun Club, Ashland, NE
October 17-18: Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor Certification Workshop; 8:00am, Ashland Gun Club, Ashland, NE
October 18: Holt County 4-H Shooting Sports Kick-Off Meeting, 5:30pm, KC Hall, O’Neill, NE
November 1: DUE: Holt County 4-H Shooting Sports Registration
December 2: Understanding Financial Documents Workshop for Nebraska Farmers and Ranchers, 9:00am–12:00pm CT, O’Neill, NE (exact location TBD)
Growing Toward Self Discipline
A formula that answers all of the parenting questions about child discipline does not exist. Children are unique and so are their families. As a result, a discipline strategy that might work with one child may not work with another.
That is one reason why family specialists continually remind parents and caregivers that positive guidance and discipline are crucial to promoting a child's self-control, teaching responsibility, and helping children make thoughtful choices.
The more effective caregivers are at encouraging appropriate child behavior, the less time and effort adults will spend correcting children's misbehavior. Every adult who cares for children has a responsibility to guide, correct and socialize children toward appropriate behaviors.
Many family specialists agree that using physical force, threats and put-downs can interfere with a child's healthy development. For example, there is evidence that physical punishment has negative effects on children.
Effective guidance and discipline focuses on the development of the child while preserving the child's self-esteem and dignity. Actions that insult or belittle can cause children to view their parents and others negatively, which can inhibit learning and teach the child to be unkind to others. However, actions that acknowledge the child’s efforts and progress, no matter how slow or small, are likely to encourage healthy development.
Teaching children self-discipline is a demanding task. It requires patience, thoughtful attention, cooperation, and a good understanding of the child. It also requires knowledge of one's own strengths and struggles with disciplinary issues.
Parenting and childcare will always be challenging, no matter how well prepared you are. However, helping your children achieve self-discipline is worth your effort. It is a major foundation for life-long personal and social development.
Source: Gershoff, E. T. (2002). Corporal punishment by parents and associated child behaviors and experiences: A meta-analytic and theoretical review. Psychological Bulletin, 128, 539-579.an Development Specialist, Cape Girardeau County and Southeast Region, University of Missouri Extension
Late Season Rainfall Raises Corn Grain Quality Concerns at Harvest
Warm, wet weather in September has raised concerns about corn grain quality as harvest gets underway across Nebraska. While some producers have begun harvesting, others are still waiting for fields to dry enough to support equipment. Reports of sprouting kernels (vivipary) and ear rot diseases are already emerging in parts of the state.
September was historically warm and exceptionally wet across portions of Nebraska. Lincoln and North Platte experienced their fourth-warmest September on record, with average temperatures of 73°F and 69°F, respectively. Omaha recorded its second-warmest September, averaging 73°F. Rainfall totals ranged from 1 inch to more than 10 inches across eastern and south-central Nebraska, with daily precipitation records set in Grand Island, Hastings, McCook, and Lincoln. Lincoln recorded 11.49 inches of rain, making it the wettest September in 140 years and exceeding the monthly average by 8.59 inches.
Insect feeding damage has also contributed to grain quality concerns this season. High populations of western bean cutworm (WBC) and corn earworm (CEW) have been reported in Nebraska fields, increasing the risk of ear rot diseases. Although ear rot diseases are caused by fungi, feeding damage from these caterpillars creates wounds in husks and kernels that allow the fungi to enter and infect developing ears.
Premature Kernel Sprouting (Vivipary)
Vivipary occurs when corn kernels germinate and begin developing into seedlings while still inside the husk and attached to the cob. This can happen when kernels that have dried to less than about 20% moisture are exposed to additional moisture during warm weather. Ears that remain upright on the plant are especially susceptible because rainwater can collect inside the husks, causing kernels to sprout near the base of the ear.
Vivipary can reduce overall grain quality, and sprouted kernels are more susceptible to insect infestations and fungal growth, particularly during storage. If a large percentage of kernels are sprouting, it may be necessary to prioritize harvest in the most severely affected fields and dry the grain to less than 14% moisture before storage to help prevent further quality deterioration.
Ear Rot Diseases
Several ear rot diseases have been identified in Nebraska fields and in samples submitted to the UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic (PPDC), including Fusarium, Gibberella, Aspergillus, Diplodia, Trichoderma and Penicillium (see Nebraska Extension NebGuide EC1901, “Corn Disease Profile III”).
Many of the affected ears and plants submitted to the clinic had also sustained damage from hail or ear-feeding insects. These injuries create openings for fungi to infect the ears, contributing to disease development. Some of these fungi can continue growing as grain molds during storage, further reducing grain quality.
Cooling and drying grain are important steps for limiting mold growth during storage. For short-term storage, drying grain to 15% moisture can help slow fungal growth. However, grain intended for long-term storage, particularly through warmer months, may need to be dried to less than 13% moisture to maintain quality.
Scouting fields before harvest can help producers identify grain quality concerns and determine which fields are most severely affected. This information can guide decisions about harvesting, storing, marketing, and using potentially contaminated grain.
Aspergillus ear rot is caused by several species of Aspergillus fungi, including A. flavus, A. parasiticus and A. niger. The disease typically appears as olive-green, powdery masses of spores on kernels, particularly near exposed ear tips or areas damaged by insects or other injuries (Figures 3a and 3b). The appearance of infected ears and their potential for mycotoxin contamination can vary depending on the fungal species involved.
Hot, dry weather, wind and feeding damage from western bean cutworm and corn earworm can increase the risk of infection. Corn that experienced drought stress earlier in the growing season is particularly susceptible, including non-irrigated fields and drought-stressed corners of pivot-irrigated fields.
Gibberella ear rot is caused by the fungus Gibberella zeae (the sexual stage of Fusarium graminearum). The disease typically begins at the tip of the ear, appearing as white, pink, or reddish mold. As the disease progresses during grain fill, the mold may spread toward the base of the ear.
The fungus can also produce mycotoxins, including deoxynivalenol (DON), commonly known as vomitoxin, and zearalenone.
Fusarium ear rot is a common disease caused by Fusarium verticillioides that appears as white, cottony patches of mold anywhere on the ear, particularly around wounds caused by insect feeding or hail. Infected kernels may also develop a distinctive starburst pattern on the kernel cap.
The fungus can produce fumonisins, a group of mycotoxins that may be present even when there are few visible signs of infection.
Diplodia ear rot is caused by the fungus Stenocarpella maydis (formerly Diplodia maydis). Warm, wet conditions favor disease development, particularly when rainfall is above average between silking and harvest. Losses may be greater in years with above-average rainfall between silking and harvest or when insect or bird damage occurs.
The disease typically appears as dense, white mold that begins at the base of the ear and spreads toward the tip. Infected ears can quickly become covered in mold, eventually drying out and becoming lightweight or “mummified.”
Unlike some other ear rots described here, the fungus causing Diplodia ear rot has not been reported to produce mycotoxins in the United States.
Management Options
- Harvest early: Prioritize early harvest in fields showing significant ear rot or kernel sprouting to help limit further grain quality losses.
- Dry affected grain. Dry affected grain to a moisture level appropriate for the intended storage period. Higher drying temperatures may be necessary when managing sprouted kernels (vivipary).
- Screen out fines. Screen grain to remove fines and damaged material that can contribute to storage problems.
- Monitor stored grain. Watch closely for hot spots, mold development, and additional sprouting.
- Scout for ear-feeding insects. In future growing seasons, monitor fields, especially during the V14-R1 growth stages, and implement control measures when pest populations reach the recommended action thresholds to minimize kernel damage and ear injury (see the CropWatch articles "Degree-Days for Prediction of Western Bean Cutworm Flight in 2026" and "The Biology and Management of Ear-Feeding Lepidopteran Pests of Corn in Nebraska").
In general, producers should prioritize selling or using the most heavily affected grain before its quality deteriorates further, while reserving the highest-quality corn for storage. Feeder cattle may be an option for using some loads of affected corn.
Keep in mind that ethanol plants may have lower tolerances for mycotoxin concentrations. During ethanol production, starch is removed for fermentation, which can concentrate mycotoxins threefold or more in the resulting distillers grains. These higher concentrations may exceed safe feeding levels, making the distillers grains unsuitable for some livestock groups.
Identifying corn ear rots can be difficult, especially when multiple diseases are present or symptoms are subtle, similar or do not reflect the full extent of infection. If you need help identifying ear rots or other diseases, submit samples to the UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic. For mycotoxin analysis, samples should be submitted to a commercial laboratory. Be sure to contact the laboratory for its sampling guidelines or review general guidelines from the Crop Protection Network.
Source: Amy Timmerman - Extension Educator, Tamra Jackson-Ziems - Extension Plant Pathologist, Kyle Broderick - Extension Educator and Coordinator of the UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic, Silvana Paula-Moraes - Extension Entomologist, Andrea Rilakovic - Extension Educator for Entomology and Crop Pest Management (CropWatch – October 14, 2026)
Vitamin A Supplementation for Beef Cows: How Much Is Enough?
Vitamin A is important for immune function, reproduction, vision, and growth. In cow-calf production, the young calf is particularly vulnerable to vitamin A deficiency, which can impair immune function and increase susceptibility to scours and respiratory disease.
Fresh, green forage is an excellent source of vitamin A activity, but dormant, weathered, or long-stored forage may contain very little. That means even in a normal year, spring-calving cows may not consume enough vitamin A during late gestation before green grass is available. This year, drought may increase that concern for many herds because cows may have spent more time-consuming brown forage and are entering winter with lower vitamin A stores.
Calves are born with very little vitamin A and depend on colostrum to build their stores. Vitamin A in colostrum comes from both the cow's liver reserves (where she stores vitamin A) and what she is consuming during late gestation. However, one of our recent studies illustrates that liver stores alone are not enough. Cows entered the study after grazing green pasture and had very high liver vitamin A stores. They were then fed alfalfa hay and corn silage with relatively little supplemental vitamin A. At approximately one month after calving, the cows still had adequate liver vitamin A stores, but their calves did not. The take-home message is that good vitamin A stores in the cow do not guarantee adequate vitamin A for her calf. Her vitamin A intake during late gestation matters too. It has been shown that the late gestation diet contributes around 60% of the vitamin A in the colostrum with the liver only contributing 40%.
How Much Vitamin A Is Enough?
Current recommendations would suggest providing approximately 31,000 IU of supplemental vitamin A per day to a 1,200-lb gestating cow. However, recent Nebraska research suggests that may not be enough when cows are consuming stored or dormant forages.
In our study, cows had been fed stored feeds for a year or more and were receiving approximately 31,000 IU of supplemental vitamin A per day before the study began. Despite that supplementation, their average liver vitamin A stores were below the range considered adequate. Cows that continued to receive 31,000 IU/day remained below the adequate range, while cows receiving 93,000 IU/day reached adequate liver vitamin A concentrations after 81 days. Calves from cows receiving 31,000 IU/day also had inadequate liver vitamin A concentrations at about one month of age, while the average concentrations of calves from cows receiving 93,000 IU/day were adequate.
These cows represented a relatively high-risk situation: they had been fed stored feeds for a year or more and began the study with low liver vitamin A stores. Thus, 93,000 IU/day should not necessarily be interpreted as the minimum needed by every cow. Cows entering winter with greater stores or consuming hay that retains some green color will likely receive more vitamin A from their diet.
For most spring-calving cows consuming dormant or stored forage, targeting at least 75,000 IU of supplemental vitamin A per cow daily during late gestation is a reasonable approach. That may sound like a lot, but it is still below the 93,000 IU/day that was needed to bring cows with low vitamin A stores into the adequate range in our research. In herds that have experienced prolonged drought, have been consuming low-quality or weathered forage for an extended period, or are otherwise likely to have low vitamin A stores, targeting closer to 90,000 IU/day may be warranted. This number aligns well with the total vitamin A intake recommendations suggested by other countries.
How Can You Supplement Vitamin A?
Vitamin A can be supplied through free-choice mineral, cake, cubes, or another supplement. The table below shows the concentration needed in supplements fed at several common intake levels to provide either 75,000 or 90,000 IU of supplemental vitamin A per cow daily.
Using Free Choice Mineral to Supply Vitamin A?
If you cannot find a mineral containing enough vitamin A, or you have mineral that has been stored for an extended period and are concerned about vitamin A degradation, adding fresh vitamin A premix may be an option. Contact your local feed mill and ask whether they can obtain a vitamin A premix for you to add to your mineral.
Vitamin A premixes are highly concentrated. A common premix contains approximately 30,000 IU of vitamin A per gram. The table below shows approximately how much additional vitamin A would be supplied by adding different amounts of a 30,000 IU/g premix to a 50-lb bag of mineral. The vitamin A supplied by the premix is in addition to the vitamin A already present in the mineral. For example, adding ¾ lb of a 30,000 IU/g vitamin A premix to a 50-lb bag of mineral containing 150,000 IU/lb would add 200,000 IU/lb and result in a final mixture containing approximately 350,000 IU/lb. At a 4-oz daily intake, that would provide about 87,000 IU of vitamin A per cow per day. Adding a full pound would increase the final concentration to approximately 414,000 IU/lb and provide about 103,000 IU/cow/day.
However, the concentration on the tag only helps if cows are consuming the expected amount. Check mineral disappearance and determine whether actual intake is close to the target. If a mineral is formulated for 4 ounces per day, but cows are only consuming 2 ounces, they are receiving only half of the vitamin A you expect.
What About Feeding Alfalfa?
Good-quality, green alfalfa can be a useful source of vitamin A activity, but the amount varies considerably with maturity, harvest conditions, storage time, and how much green color remains. Feeding a few pounds of alfalfa as a protein supplement can contribute some vitamin A but generally will not provide the 75,000 to 90,000 IU/day we are targeting. If good-quality alfalfa makes up a substantial portion of the cow's diet, its contribution can be much greater. However, because vitamin A activity declines during storage and is difficult to predict based on appearance alone, we would not suggest relying on supplemental alfalfa to replace vitamin A supplementation during late gestation.
The Bottom Line
Do not assume that cows are receiving enough vitamin A simply because they do not show signs of deficiency or because they entered the winter with adequate liver stores. For spring-calving cows consuming dormant or stored forage, pay particular attention to vitamin A during late gestation. Target at least 75,000 IU of supplemental vitamin A per cow daily and consider closer to 90,000 IU/day when cows may have lower stores because of prolonged drought or extended periods on brown forage.
Source: Mary Drewnoski, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist, Marissa Eekhoff - Virtual Fence Program Field Specialist (Beef Watch – October 1, 2026)
A Food Allergy-Friendly Halloween
Halloween is a favorite time of year for many people, including children excited to dress up in costumes, go trick-or-treating, and of course, collect all the candy! But for children living with food allergies, Halloween can bring some extra concerns.
Food allergies occur when the body's immune system reacts to a food protein it mistakenly identifies as harmful. Even a small amount of an allergen can cause a reaction. The nine major food allergens in the United States, often called the “Big 9,” are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy, and sesame.
One of the best ways to help keep Halloween safe is to read food labels carefully. Parents and caregivers should check the ingredients and allergen information on every treat before a child with a food allergy eats it. Don't assume a candy is safe because the child has eaten it before. Ingredients and manufacturing processes can change.
Another consideration is cross-contact, which happens when an allergen is unintentionally transferred to another food. This can occur during food preparation, handling, or manufacturing. For example, a candy that does not contain peanuts could come into contact with peanuts from another food.
Homemade treats are often a special part of Halloween, made with care and meant to bring joy. However, for children with food allergies, it can be difficult to know exactly what ingredients were used or whether cross-contact occurred during preparation. To help keep everyone safe, it's best to choose treats with clear ingredient and allergen information. If the ingredients are unknown or there's uncertainty about whether a treat is safe, children with food allergies should avoid eating it.
That said, Halloween doesn't have to be all about food. Non-food treats can be a great way to include children with food allergies. Stickers, pencils, small toys, glow sticks, bubbles, and Halloween-themed erasers are just a few possibilities. The Teal Pumpkin Project encourages households to offer non-food treats for trick-or-treaters and display a teal pumpkin to let families know allergy-friendly options are available.
A Few Trick-or-Treating Tips
Check treats before eating. Before heading out for the evening, remind children not to eat their treats while trick-or-treating. Once home, check each treat and its label before the child eats it.
Be prepared for allergic reactions. If a child has prescribed emergency medication for an allergic reaction, carry it throughout the evening and make sure you know how to use it.
Offer non-food options. Most importantly, we can all help make Halloween more inclusive. If you're hosting a party or handing out treats, consider offering a few non-food options. A small gesture can make a big difference for a child who might otherwise feel left out.
Halloween should be a time for fun, creativity, and community. With a little planning and awareness, children with food allergies can safely enjoy the magic of the holiday, too.
News Release - Range and Pasture Management Webinar Series - Registrations due October 1
Nebraska Extension will host a six-part webinar series entitled “Knowing, Growing and Grazing Grass,” beginning Thursday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. MT. The webinar series will assist landowners and livestock producers in growing and managing grasses in pastures and rangelands.
“This series will give producers a solid foundation in range and pasture management,” said Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension educator and program coordinator. “Whether it’s plant identification, understanding stocking rates or using drought insurance tools, participants will leave with practical, usable information.” Throughout the course, the impacts of drought will be discussed.
Topics will include plant identification, management practices, calculating stocking rates, using tools like USDA Web Soil Survey and Rangeland Analysis Platform, and developing grazing plans and managing drought risk through Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) insurance.
Participants are invited to submit plant photos for identification. All webinars will be interactive and recorded for later viewing.
The series will run Monday and Thursday evenings, Oct. 12 through Oct. 29 from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. CT (6:30 to 7:45 p.m. MT). Two optional sessions will also be held on Oct. 20 and 27. The course is limited to 30 participants.
The registration fee is $100 per person and includes a copy of "Grassland Plants of South Dakota and the Northern Great Plains" and a printed resource notebook featuring Nebraska Extension NebGuides and Circulars. Register by Thursday, Oct. 1, as materials will be mailed ahead of the course.
To register, visit: https://go.unl.edu/knowing_grass.
For more information, contact Aaron Berger at 308-235-3122 or aberger2@unl.edu.
News Release - Workshop 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 at multiple locations, each from 1:30 pm to 4 pm CT:
- Thursday, October 22 at Brown County Courthouse in Ainsworth
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 pastures recover after fire, and how wildlife, like grassland birds numbers, change based on cedar canopy.
Walk-ins are welcome, but registrations are appreciated. To register at locations, call the Extension Office at 402-336-2760, email Bethany at bjohnston3@unl.edu, or register online at https://go.unl.edu/cedar_signup to register. No cost to attend.
Thanks to these partners: Nebraska Extension, Pheasants Forever, the Nature Conservancy, Sandhills Task Force, Nebraska Game & Parks, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and NRCS.
CONTACT: Dave Haupt, Financial Analyst, Center for Agricultural Profitability, 308-236-1277, dhaupt2@unl.edu
News Release - Workshop to Help Ag Producers Understand Financial Documents
An upcoming workshop aims to help Nebraska farmers and ranchers strengthen their financial decision-making skills. Hosted by Nebraska Extension and the Nebraska Rural Response Hotline, “Understanding Financial Documents” will run from 9:00am to 12:00noon on December 2 at the Holt County Annex Building, 128 N. 6th Street, O’Neill, NE.
The workshop was developed and will be hosted by Dave Haupt, a financial analyst with the Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Dave Goeller, a consultant with the Nebraska Rural Response Hotline. Goeller is a retired Nebraska Extension educator who spent his career working with farm families on transition planning.
The workshops will cover the fundamentals of the balance sheet, including how assets and liabilities determine a farm or ranch's net worth. Sessions will also walk through cash flow statements and income statements, showing producers how to project income and expenses while tracking them against actual results throughout the year.
Attendees will learn to calculate and interpret key financial ratios that measure an operation’s solvency, liquidity, repayment capacity, and profitability. Producers will also learn how trend analysis over multiple years can show whether an operation is building equity and liquidity or headed the other direction.
The workshop will include a session on goal setting for both the business and the family, and on why clear communication matters to both. Topics include how management teams can build consensus, divide responsibilities and work through conflicts or setbacks that come with running a farm or ranch together.
The workshops are free to attend. Register by calling the Nebraska Rural Response hotline at 800-464-0258.
More financial management resources from the Center for Agricultural Profitability are available at https://cap.unl.edu/finance. The Rural Response Hotline’s website is https://farmhotline.com.