Nebraska Extension in Morrill County

Local Interest

PANHANDLE PERSPECTIVES: Did You Know? Goss’ wilt of corn and bacterial wilt of dry beans both re-emerged in Nebraska at the same time after long absence

Robert M. Harveson, Extension Plant Pathologist
Panhandle R&E Center, Scottsbluff 

Goss’ wilt and leaf blight is a destructive bacterial disease of corn, caused by Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskense. It was first identified in 1969 from Dawson County near Lexington making it a true Nebraska native.

Over the next decade, it was identified from at least 53 other counties in Nebraska and also spread into Iowa, South Dakota, Kansas, and Colorado. The disease was eventually identified from additional U.S. corn-growing states before disappearing in the mid-1980s just as suddenly as it first appeared. 

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PANHANDLE PERSPECTIVES: Stress and young children

Jackie Guzman, Extension Educator Scotts Bluff County

How are your children doing?

In recent months our state has experienced several natural disasters with flooding, storms causing hail damage to property and crops, and most recently the collapse of a tunnel in the irrigation canal serving Wyoming and Nebraska farmers impacting thousands of acres of farm land. Anyone who was not directly impacted by a disaster this year probably knows someone who has, teaching us that we are not immune to such events.

These events can cause heightened anxiety and stress in adults. So what are the implications for children?

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PANHANDLE PERSPECTIVES: Did you know? The dry bean bacterial wilt pathogen can be different colors

Robert M. Harveson, Extension Plant Pathologist
Panhandle R&E Center, Scottsbluff

Bacterial wilt of dry beans, caused by Curtobacterium flaccufaciens pv. flaccumfaciens (Cff), has historically posed sporadic but often serious production problems in dry beans throughout the irrigated High Plains since its first report from South Dakota in 1922. In the early 1980s, the disease mysteriously disappeared, appearing only periodically on cull seeds at the processing plants, but with little economic damage.

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PANHANDLE PERSPECTIVES - Dry edible beans as livestock feed when hit by drought, hail

Dry edible beans such as pintos, great northern, and black beans are a very valuable commodity raised in western Nebraska and eastern Wyoming, ranking Nebraska second, and Wyoming eighth in national dry bean production. However, hail and drought can easily reduce bean quality and the feasibility of harvest for the rigorous human consumption standards. So the question becomes, when dry edible beans are not suitable for human consumption, what options are available?
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PANHANDLE PERSPECTIVES: Wild cucumber and Virginia creeper are problems this year

By Gary Stone, Extension Educator, Panhandle R&E Center, Scottsbluff

Nebraska Extension has been receiving many calls this summer about two weedy vines that have been found in shrubs, trees and fences. If left un-managed, they can smother out shrubs and trees by preventing the tree leaves from photosynthesizing and eventually killing them, especially evergreen trees.

The first is Wild cucumber (Echinocystis lobata), also known as balsam apple or mock cucumber.  Wild cucumber is a native plant, an annual with a shallow root system that reproduces by seed. The vines are bright light green in color and will attach and climb on anything they can.

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PANHANDLE PERSPECTIVES: Study sheds light on how pinto beans help reduce cholesterol

A recent study into how pinto beans help lower cholesterol was a collaborative effort among several departments at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln that spanned the state from west to east.

Results of the study are reported in the June issue of the Journal of Nutrition (JN), a publication of the American Society for Nutrition. JN has drawn attention to the journal article by featuring it in a news release distributed universally on the World Wide Web.

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Extension program connects Nebraskans with fresh produce

Extension program connects Nebraskans with fresh produce

August 14, 2024
The Growing Together Nebraska project is establishing community gardens in communities statewide. In 2023, the program delivered fresh produce to nearly 20,000 Nebraskans through 51 food pantries and emergency food distribution sites in 13 counties.

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Necessary Steps to take for Owners of Private Drinking Water Wells Impacted by Flooding

Necessary Steps to take for Owners of Private Drinking Water Wells Impacted by Flooding

August 2, 2024
Floodwater from the recent heavy rains, runoff, and even snowmelt may potentially carry multiple pollutants with it.

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Summer camp brings cattle, history, and STEM to campers

Summer camp brings cattle, history, and STEM to campers

August 2, 2024
A metal fence separated a few boys from a bunch of cattle as they looked at each other. Nodding their heads, the boys agreed it would be nice to take one of the cattle back home with them. The boys were part of the Summer Youth Empowerment Camp, which brought more than 30 children to visit the UNL Panhandle Feedlot and the UNL Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff on July 24.

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North Platte native donates tree to Tree Lane Road

North Platte native donates tree to Tree Lane Road

July 12, 2024
When visiting North Platte, the Golden Spike Tower or the Buffalo Bill State Historic Park might be at the top of the list. Karlie Gerlach | WCREEC Communications Specialist

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