Local Interest

Cover the pile. Cover the silage pile with plastic.

The time and money spent on chopping silage for feed does not go unnoticed. But if the pile isn’t covered, the loss of feed will be noticeable. Even after the silage is packed correctly, air and water can penetrate the outer layers and severely damage the quality and quantity of silage. Additionally, molds, mycotoxins, and fungi have a prime place to grow in uncovered silage.

Stormy conditions have impacted crop fields across the state recently. With the potential for severe weather with us until the end of summer, what impact do strong storms and hail have on your alfalfa crop?

Strong storms, especially those that bring hail events, have the potential to completely strip and lodge alfalfa fields depending on their severity.  The actual impact will vary depending on damage done, but alfalfa due to its growth form is particularly vulnerable to hail damage.  Because alfalfa plants grow from the terminal or highest potion of the plant, any damage or defoliation can result in terminated growth and the plant having to start growth again from new shoots.

Dry conditions mean lower pasture production and difficult decisions ahead for producers.  One option to consider is providing supplemental feed to stretch a pasture’s use.  Can this management strategy save your pasture during a drought?

Cattle on drought impacted pasture face the double hit of low amounts of available forage as plants stop growth, and low quality as plants pull back nutrients in an effort to make it through tough times.  In these conditions where plants have essentially gone dormant, a little excess grazing than what is normal can be tolerated

We’ve been talking drought the past couple of weeks, but recently across Nebraska we have had some heavy rains. So what does that mean for hay that you recently cut that may have gotten rained on? Do you bale it wetter than normal to save quality or wait?
With the current restrictions in place throughout our region, we have decided this year to replace our face-to-face 4-H Workshops Virtual 4-H Projects.

“I don’t like this!” This statement is one that children or youth might use during a heated game, when being asked to correct unwanted behavior or when plans change.  For those children and youth who were looking forward to milestones like field days, end of school year celebrations, prom, or graduation, they have reason to believe that life can be sad, frustrating, and difficult.

Local Resources

Local Events

Follow Us on Facebook



Nebraska Extension in Knox County

Local Events

Search Local & National Extension Resources

Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources News

Latest from ianrnews.unl.edu

Tractor Safety course educates next generation of agriculturalists

June 28, 2024

Lincoln, Neb. —

Tractors are part of rural life. They are agricultural equipment that can be spotted in fields, dirt roads, and highways. Typically driven by adults, farm families often hire their teenage children or their neighbors' teens to help with planting, harvesting, and other work. Each Spring across Nebraska, Tractor and Equipment Safety courses are held for 14-and 15-year-olds looking to be employed on farms and ranches.  

Read more

Nebraska Extension projects look at viability and economics of mint in Panhandle

June 26, 2024
Two recent projects at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff involved growing peppermint and spearmint, doing it well, and saving money and greenhouse gasses.

Read more

Lead and Succeed webinar series continues leadership development discussion

June 19, 2024

Lincoln, Neb. — Rural Prosperity Nebraska, the community development arm of Nebraska Extension, announces the inaugural session of its “Lead and Succeed Lunchbox Series,” a summer-long webinars series focused on revamping community leadership development in rural communities. The first session will take place on June 27.

Read more

MarketReady webinars help farmers expand market reach

June 14, 2024
Rural Prosperity Nebraska and the Heartland Regional Food Business Center, a multi-state organization focused on strengthening farm and food enterprises, are kicking off a summer-long series of market-ready webinars, beginning June 20.

Read more