Nebraska Extension Educator - Holt/Boyd Counties - LaDonna Werth
Nebraska Extension Educator - Holt/Boyd Counties - Amy Timmerman
Nebraska Extension Educator - Brown/Rock/Keya Paha Counties - Brittany Spieker
Nebraska Extension Educator - Holt/Boyd/Garfield/Loup/Wheeler Counties - Bethany Johnston
Nebraska 4-H Assistant - Holt/Boyd Counties - Debra Walnofer
January 29: Commercial and Noncommercial Recertification Applicator Training, Holt County Courthouse Annex, O’Neill, NE, pested.unl.edu
January 29: Face-to-Face Private Pesticide Training, 9am, Garfield County Courthouse, Burwell, NE, pested.unl.edu
January 31: Face-to-Face Private Pesticide Training/Beef Update, 1pm, Bloomfield Community Center, Bloomfield, NE, pested.unl.edu
February 3: Face-to-Face Private Pesticide Training/Beef Update, 9:30am, Holt County Courthouse Annex, O’Neill, NE, pested.unl.edu
February 3: DUE by Noon: 2025 4-H Special Garden Project Seed Order, https://go.unl.edu/holtboydspecialgardenseeds
February 3: DUE by Noon: 2025 4-H Special Agronomy Project Seed Order, https://go.unl.edu/2025holtboydspecialagronomy
February 12: Commercial and Noncommercial Recertification Applicator Training, Holt County Courthouse Annex, O’Neill, NE, pested.unl.edu
February 28: Chemigation Training, 9:300am, Holt County Courthouse Annex, O’Neill, NE, pested.unl.edu
March 3: Face-to-Face Private Pesticide Training, 1:30pm, Boyd County Courthouse, Butte, NE, pested.unl.edu
March 5: Commercial and Noncommercial Recertification Applicator Training, Holt County Courthouse Annex, O’Neill, NE, pested.unl.edu
March 6: Face-to-Face Private Pesticide Training, 9:30am, Holt County Courthouse Annex, O’Neill, NE, pested.unl.edu
March 6: Chemigation Training, 9:300am, Antelope County Courthouse Basement Meeting Room, Neligh, NE, pested.unl.edu
Help Children Develop a Sense of Responsibility
Children need to develop a sense of responsibility to be prepared for adult living. Teaching responsibility can begin when they are young and is one of the best values for children to possess.
Cooperating with and helping others can be an important way for children to learn responsibility. Parents can help children develop and improve their cooperative attitudes by giving them tasks that are challenging, satisfying and appropriate for their level of development. Children benefit when they feel that they are doing a real job and making a contribution to the family.
Regular family meetings are also valuable learning experiences, teaching children about decision making and cooperation. These meetings give family members an opportunity to discuss and work on issues, and to plan events or outings together.
Here are some tips that can help children learn to assume responsibility:
- Give children clear and positive instructions for doing the task and plenty of time to complete it.
- Avoid doing things for your children that they can do for themselves. Children must learn from their experiences through trial and error, and by taking the time to figure it out. Let children assume responsibility and accept their standards.
LaDonna Werth
Extension Educator
Phone: 402-336-2760
E-mail: LWerth2@unl.edu
- Ask children instead of ordering. Demanding or forcing children to do tasks is not the way to help them develop responsibility. Children will be willing to help out when they feel they are needed and are made to feel they can do the job.
- Use consequences. It is important that parents explain what the consequences will be for breaking a limit, which will help children develop a sense of accountability for their actions.
- Be a good role model. Children are learning by watching and imitating what they see their parents do. Parents need to model appropriate behaviors, such as keeping promises, sharing, cooperating, helping, taking care of their belongings and being responsible.
Source: Nina Chen, Ph.D., CFLE, former Human Development Specialist, Jackson County, University of Missouri Extension (2022)
Growing plants from seed is an economical way to get a wide range of plants in your garden. The first step to starting plants from seed is buying high-quality seed. Below are some tips to get good seed so you can have success growing.
Start Early
Crop times for flowers and vegetables range from three to 12+ weeks. Start early so you have the seed in time to sow at the appropriate time. Plants that are started late indoors and subsequently planted late outdoors won’t yield or perform as well as those that are planted at the optimal time
In Iowa, transplants can be planted outdoors in late April or early May. This means sowing times vary and may be much earlier in the year than you think: 6-week crops in late March, 12-week in mid-February, and 16-week in mid-January. Ordering seeds early (January-February) avoids shipping delays and provides the best selection.
Use Reliable Companies
Order seeds from reliable, reputable companies that have performed well for you in the past. Be wary of very low prices and wild claims. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. For unfamiliar companies, place a small initial order first. Keep buying from those that ship promptly and send good quality plant materials and supplies. Stop shopping from companies that don't meet expectations.
Amy Timmerman
Extension Educator
Phone: 402-336-2760
E-mail: atimmerman2@unl.edu
Take Inventory Before You Start
Many gardeners have a stash of seeds from previous growing seasons. Properly stored, these seeds can be viable for future use. Check the age of your seeds before buying new ones. Seed viability declines over time. The seed packets should indicate the year packed. While viability varies widely based on species and storage conditions, seeds older than one or two years often have poor germination rates. Test older seeds' germination rates to decide if they're worth using or if you should start fresh.
Don't Order Too Much
Order seeds based on the amount of available garden space, plant/seed and row spacing and desired plant yields. Seed viability of unused seed stored for next year decreases over time, especially if not stored properly. It's easy to overspend online due to low prices and wide selection. Consider seed swap events or partnering with a friend to get the variety you want without excess seeds.
Make Appropriate Selections
When leafing through the online catalogs, keep in mind that many of these companies sell nationwide. Some of their plants may not be adapted or hardy in Iowa. Check good reference materials for the cultural requirements and the hardiness of plant materials.
Special Considerations for In-Store Purchases
Mail-order seeds are convenient and often reliable, but sometimes the best options are in stores or garden centers.
Check the date printed on the seed packet. Purchase seeds packaged for the current growing season. Germination percentage of seed goes down each year at a varying rate. Seeds more than two years old often have much lower germination rates. Avoid purchasing seeds sold in wet or damp locations, as well as those that are exposed to extreme hot or freezing temperatures. These conditions could lower the germination rate of the seeds.
Source: Aaron Steil - Iowa State Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist (Iowa State Yard and Garden - January 2025)
Rainy Day Funds Critical for Financial Success
The first week of November 2024, the Center for Ag Profitability at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and Nebraska Extension celebrated “Ag Smart Money Week.” Throughout the week, we held several webinars and workshops. In preparation for the week, I was reminded how often Americans don’t have a rainy-day fund. According to the Federal Reserve, one-third of Americans cannot cover a $400 emergency with cash, savings or a credit card paid off in full the following month. Could you?
Rainy-day funds, commonly called “emergency funds” by financial experts, are critical to your financial success. While most financial advice works for folks with a 9 to 5 job, I think there are some specific things to consider as a farmer or rancher.
I wholeheartedly agree with personal finance experts that building an emergency fund should happen before paying down debt or participating in long-term investing. An emergency fund allows you to handle unexpected expenses without taking on additional debt or withdrawing from accounts that may trigger additional taxes or penalties.
There is some debate about how much families should have set aside. Some experts recommend starting with $1,000, while others advise having three to six months of living expenses. Even a small amount of savings can be helpful in a time of need. Given the unpredictable nature of cash flow in farming and ranching, I recommend aiming for three to six months' worth of living expenses for farm and ranch families.
Place these funds in a separate, yet accessible account. It can be tempting to leave these funds in your everyday bank account.
However, to help decrease the likelihood of spending these funds on non-emergencies, consider putting them in a separate money market, or high-yield savings account. These accounts not only provide separation but also earn a higher interest rate while allowing funds to be withdrawn quickly.
Building an emergency fund can take a lot of time. Many experts recommend automating transfers to this account until you have met your savings goal. Automated contributions may be difficult without a steady stream of income. However, it is still important to transfer these funds when they are available.
Finally, not enough financial experts are talking about rebuilding your emergency fund. If you withdraw funds from this account, your top priority should once again be rebuilding this cushion.
Building an emergency fund is critical for farmers and ranchers to protect themselves from unexpected financial challenges. By taking these steps, you’ll be better equipped to weather the literal and financial storms that come your way.
Source: Jessica Groskopf - Extension Educator for Agricultural Economics
What Causes Injection Site Lesions?
Injection site lesions form in the muscle where medication has been given to cattle. Typically, the worse reactions occur when an injection is given intramuscular or non-tented subcutaneously. These lesions can look vastly different in appearance depending on the injection given and the animals’ stage of life.
Metallic and nodular lesions frequently occur in cattle mid-to-late in the feeding phase when pharmaceuticals are given. Cystic lesions, however, occur when any injection is given, but typically in the finishing phase. Clear lesions and woody calluses commonly occur in young animals early in their lives regardless of what product is administered. These lesions are like the hide of the calf, they will continue to grow with the animal. As with any animal health concern, the severity of the lesions depends on each individual animal’s age, response to the product, contamination or adjuvant in the vaccine.
Injection Management Guidelines
As lesions can cause damage to costly beef cuts, the BQA program aims to educate producers on proper injection site management.
Injection Site
Injections should be given in the BQA injection site triangle, unless directed otherwise by a veterinarian or per label instruction. Adequate working facilities make this much easier, as restraining animals properly provides good neck access.
Bethany Johnston
Extension Educator
Phone: 402-336-2760
E-mail: bjohnston3@unl.edu
Per BQA guidelines, subcutaneously (SQ) injections should not be given along the ribs, behind the elbow, or in the armpit region of beef cattle. There are many nerves and vessels in these regions that could be damaged, causing irreversible injury to the animal. Above the curve of the ribs is not an approved injection site.
Injection Spacing
Injections should be spaced out at least 4 inches apart. The injection with the highest volume should be given at the lowest point, so that if the product drains it does not mix with other products.
Vaccines and antibiotics should be administered on opposite sides of the neck so that vaccines are not inactivated.
Route of Administration
Animal health products injected subcutaneously (SQ) are least likely to cause adverse reactions. However, always follow label directions regarding route of administration, whether that be SQ, intramuscular (IM), intravenous (IV), intranasal (IN), intramammary (IMM), base of ear (BOE), topical, or orally.
Route, Location
- Subcutaneously (SQ), Under the skin, 35-to-45-degree angle.
- Intramuscular (IM), In the muscle, perpendicular to muscle, 90 degrees to neck.
- Intravenous (IV), In the vein.
- Intramammary (IMM), In the mammary gland, no needle.
- Base of Ear (BOE), Under the skin.
- Intranasal (IN), In the nose, no needle.
- Topical, On the skin, transdermal.
- Orally, Into the mouth.
By following these guidelines, hopefully injection site lesion numbers found in beef cattle will remain low and good quality meat will continue to be produced.
Source: Addie Womack - SDSU Extension Livestock Production and Stewardship Field Specialist (South Dakota State University Beef Extension – January 17, 2025)
How to Transition Your Farm or Ranch to the Next Generation
What happens if your family’s ranching or farming operation is unable to transfer to the next generation? Now is the time to start (or finish) your transition! On February 26 & 27 workshops will be held at Broken Bow and Burwell to help families navigate the common landmines including legal, financial, and communication issues.
The aim of the program is to provide reliable information to assist families to put together succession plans, or review their existing plans. Experienced experts will cover issues around agriculture law, management, finance, and communication.
Anxiety and the “what ifs” can immobilize transition. Farmers and ranchers will understand the consequences of the “what ifs” and how to avoid them. Some examples include: What if I don’t have a written lease; what happens if there is no will; what if the on-farm heir(s) needs to buy out siblings; what if the older generation need long term care; what if I must pay taxes?
Joe Hawbaker, estate planning attorney, will also cover tools for long term viability of the ranch. There are a variety of tools, such as business entities, options, lease rights, preemptive rights and buy-sell agreements, that could help your transition go smoothly.
Transition of the land is important, but farmers and ranchers should work to transition the business as well. Dave Goeller, financial planner and retired Nebraska Extension transition specialist, will cover succession versus equality, and compensation versus contribution. Many families struggle to split assets fairly between on-farm and off-farm heirs, while continuing the farm/ranch as a business. Goeller will discuss the “family” side and what to consider when dividing assets.
Following the workshops at Broken Bow and Burwell, participants can discuss their individual operations at one-on-one confidential consultations with Hawbaker and Goeller through Nebraska’s Rural Response Hotline’s free monthly clinics.
Below are workshop dates and locations.
Feb 26: Broken Bow, 4-H Building at Fairgrounds, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. CT;
Feb 27: Burwell, Legion Hall, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. CT.
Sign up today! This program walks you through the confusing process of estate planning free of charge. Registration is appreciated for a meal count one week prior, but walk-ins are welcome! Register by calling the Rural Response Hotline at 1-800-464-0258 or call the local Extension Office (Broken Bow 308-872-6831 or Burwell 308-346-4200).
Workshops are hosted by Legal Aid of Nebraska and Nebraska Extension. Thanks to Pathway Bank, Heartland Bank, and Farm Credit Services of America for their sponsorship.
Ready, Set, Spread: Manure Application Workshops Near You
Turning manure nutrients into better crop yields while protecting the environment will be the focus of ten Nebraska Extension workshops being held across the state this February and March, including a location at Chambers, NE on March 13th from 9 am – 4 pm CT.
“Our workshops have traditionally been focused on livestock producers because they’re required to attend manure training regularly, but we’ve made an effort to include the crop farmers that are often the recipients of the manure because the information we share is just as valuable to them and their bottom line,” 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 Environment and Energy’s title 130.”
Participants who attend the day-long event will receive NDEE Land Application Training Certification. The land application training certification requires participation in the full day program, which includes lunch. Sessions will include an update on regulations and discussions on how to best use manure on cropland. Anyone is welcome regardless of the need for certification. Crop farmers and smaller livestock operations will also learn useful information to apply to their operations.
Sessions will focus on what fields should be chosen to best utilize manure nutrients and other benefits. Each session will be highly participant led with limited seating. Participants will be given a scenario and asked at the end of each activity to determine whether the field will benefit from manure application or whether there are considerations that make the field less desirable for manure application. Based on the activities, participants will then rank each field within the scenario to determine a priority ranking for the entire scenario. Activity topics will include manure nutrient value, transportation cost, soil health, water quality, as well as neighbors and odors. Regulations and record keeping pertaining to manure storage and application will also be addressed during each session.
Sessions include:
- Geneva – February 6
- Gothenburg – February 18
- Norfolk – February 26
- West Point – March 4
- Wisner (Spanish) – March 6
- Columbus – March 12
- Chambers – March 13
- Scottsbluff – March 18
- Scottsbluff (Spanish) – March 19
- Valentine – March 20
Because of participation limits and meals provided in each session, registration is required and is requested by 1 week ahead of each event. If registration numbers exceed expectations, more sessions may be added. To ensure your attendance, register at water.unl.edu/lat. The cost of the sessions will be $75 per operation requiring certification or $25 per person with no expectation of certification.
The workshops are sponsored by Nebraska Extension's Animal Manure Management Team, which is dedicated to helping livestock and crop producers better utilize manure resources for agronomic and environmental bentfits. For additional information on the workshops and other resources for managing manure nutrients, visit manure.unl.edu or contact Leslie Johnson at 402-584-3818 or leslie.johnson@unl.edu.